Must Do Healthy Meals & Snacks?

[keahgirl8]

I know a lot of people don't care about healthy eating when they are on a Disney vacation. I do allow myself to have treats and special things, but I have to go pretty healthy for a lot of my trip for multiple reasons. I would like to try some new healthy options that are more special than just a salad (Although, I'll take a special salad if there is one!). I'd rather still enjoy what I'm eating and not just grab whatever healthy things I can just to get by. Does anyone have something special they like to have that's a healthy option? I'm not vegan, dairy free, or gluten free. I just need something light, well balanced, and fairly healthy. Thanks in advance!

 

[JZCubed]

Baked potato/corn in Liberty Square.

Lighthouse Sandwich - hummus & broccoli slaw - Columbia Harbor House.

Frozen Chocolate-Covered Banana - everywhere.

 

[mickeymom22]

I don't know how healthy these are, but they aren't your typical QS lunch at MK. I like the Lighthouse Sandwich (hummus) and the tuna fish sandwich at Columbia Harbour House.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Following. We are clean eaters & find it VERY difficult to find actually healthy foods at WDW. Honestly, it has become easier for us to stay offsite & bring our own food or if staying onsite to rent a car & eat at places that have healthy options outside of WDW. It's shocking how restaurants can turn seemingly healthy options into unhealthy food bombs. Wonder if you could request the actual nutritional breakdown of menu items at WDW like can be done at many restaurants?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I just need something light, well balanced, and fairly healthy.

How about bottled water?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Dole Whip with rum at Animal Kingdom.

I know this is healthy because the British Navy used to give sailors a tot of rum every day to prevent the scurvy. Pineapple PLUS rum equals EXTRA scurvy prevention. Not having scurvy is more healthy than heaving scurvy.

 

[alex9179]

I don't think that any one dish is a "must-do". I find most of the OMG items talked about here to be entirely too sweet for me. I also don't care so much about fat content but moderate my portion size based on how calorific the dish is. High fat tends to keep me full for much longer, anyway! I'd much rather split most entrees with someone, because being overstuffed is really uncomfortable. If you are on your own, order items a la carte. You don't HAVE to get the whole meal or platter version.
I agree about the sandwiches at CHH- YUM. I never get a side but they have broccoli or corn on the cob.
Sushi at Kona, Morimoto's, CG, Kimonos, Yak & Yeti (also their lettuce cups)
Look at Skipper Canteen's, Tiffins' and Sanaa's menus. I see a lot of nice choices and I love Sanaa.
Harambe Market
Spice Road Table
Any grilled or broiled fish/meat with a veggie side.

Man, there are a ton of things out there.

 

[CinderDuffy]

I remember when CHH briefly put calories on the menu. Both the Lighthouse Sandwich & the Anchors Aweigh Sandwich (tuna) have more calories than the lobster roll, fried fish, and chicken pot pie.

I would look at Sanaa, Spice Road Table, Tangierine Cafe, and Katsura Grill.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Would cinnamon glazed almonds count? Those are really yummy. Just watch out for the hardened pieces of glaze/cinnamon. They'll be about nut size and can break a tooth. There's a stand with fresh fruit in Liberty Square. Hummus is available in New Fantasyland. Morocco is probably a good spot for finding healthier options in World Showcase.

 

[nursejackie]

We like to eat some healthy options while at WDW so we rent DVC points so we have a kitchen. We have all but two breakfasts at home which includes healthy cereal and fruit. We also go to Publix and stock up on fresh fruits and cereal bars for snacking. That's not to say we don't eat lots of WDW meals/treats but we go for 16-17 days so there are only some many unhealthy treats my body can deal with before it rebels.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Would cinnamon glazed almonds count?

ABSOLUTELY !

1) I heard WDW has found a way to remove ALL calories and carbs from their donuts!
2) At least, THAT is what I chose to believe!
3) And, will stand by my opinion.

 

[FunFamily]

One good option is the gluten free offerings at Spice Table Market in Epcot. Lean protein and vegetables. Avoid the pita bread.

Another option is the roasted chicken at Sunshine in The Land at Epcot. But, beware the side dishes, which can include salty rice, fatty potatoes, or oily green beans.

The sandwiches are CHH are at the high end of the lunch calorie curve.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[tamerbelles]

There's probably too many definitions of "healthy" out there ... But some of my personal favorite "light" dishes were a fajita bowl at Pecos Bill's (you can load with veggies from the toppings bar ... or you can load with cheese and sour cream, so could be healthy or not), the salmon on the buffet at Biergarten, the turkey on the breakfast buffet at Boma (not sure what was in the delicious sauce, but you don't need much), the veggie lasagna at 50s Prime Time, and the steak dish on the lunch menu at Sanaa (the roasted veggies were AWESOME).

I only had one salad on our last trip (at Roaring Forks), and I hated it. I found the best options for me were (surprisingly) on the buffets (we did Chef Mickey's, Biergarten and Boma) because I could load up on fruits and vegetables. You just have to have the self-control to avoid the junk.

 

[Mome Rath]

I try to eat as close to "paleo/primal" as I can there with treats thrown in since it's vacation... I do the Samoa at Kona cafe for breakfast, salmon served with couscous and broccoli at Harbour House in MK, both Japanese TS restaurants in Japan (if you like sushi, tempura, hibachi and such), at restaurants that offer good burgers I order a loaded burger, no bun and a veggie side, for brekkie I'll also do a banana and milk, or eggs and bacon if not going to Kona. I can usually find something good in Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT, and remember you can sub in sides for what's listed.

 

[amberpi]

The vegetable sampler plate at Tangerine is delish and definitely enough for 2 people and since Dole Whips have like 80 calories, after a healthy lunch and lots walking you can probably splurge on that with rum - its what I do.

The sushi at Kikominos is pretty great and there are tons of fresh raw options at Blue Zoo that are simply unreal.

As mentioned, Spice Road table has a number of great options, and its outstanding for a peaceful afternoon with the breeze off the water.

The Tuna Poke at the Cabana at the Swolphin is one of my favorite late lunches (can you tell I'm a Westin person?) but that might be offset by the delicious drinks.

I don't eat mayo, I hate it and all its upscale cousins like aoli, or hidden BS impostors - I'm looking at you Ranch dressing - and find that I lose a substantive amount of fat and calories due to that one preference. I think not liking mayo, donuts, or meatloaf have single handled kept me thin despite an unusual love for berry ice creams and sorbets.

 

[PirateD]

I love to get the chocolate bananas or the glazed nuts or split a caramel apple. I know that they still have the calories and sugar from the chocolate or caramel, but they are a fun treat and you still get some nutritional value from the fruit or nuts. I want to try the chocolate pineapple this time.

I don't know that they are "must do's" but one way that I get a lighter meal is ordering from the children's menu at QS. It gives me about the right portion and the Mickey check meals have a guaranteed range of calories and sodium. I especially like to go with these smaller meals when it's hot and I don't feel like eating much. Plus I save some money and room for a snack later on.

 

[loves to dive]

As others have mentioned, it depends on your definition of healthy. I'm a light eater, meaning I don't eat large meals and tend to eat mostly poultry but it has nothing to do with dieting or allergies or any specific way of eating. I like almost everything at Tangerine Cafe in Morocco and Spice Road table as well. I rarely snack between meals, again nothing to do with dieting but I just normally eat enough at my meals to keep me full but if I do it's usually fruit. There are fruit stands at every park. I'm not sure how healthy it is but I love the Cobb Salad at HBD in HS, I usually get the appetizer portion for my entre because the entre portion is huge. It's not unhealthy but does have blue cheese dressing and boiled eggs and avocado so there is some fat involved along with the lettuce and meats. If I eat at TS restaurants, more often than not I get an appetizer and a salad or soup for my meal. The TS meals are often huge, so if both my grown son and I are wanting to eat a little lighter we will share an appetizer and an entre, they are great about splitting them on to two plates. If I'm eating QS,I tend to get the kid's meals. They are smaller portions and often come with fruit instead of fries and a small drink, I don't drink soft drinks very often so I normally get milk or a bottle of water. There is also the good old fashioned option of just eating half of what's on my plate. I've never been one of those who felt you had to eat everything on your plate and if you just want to eat a few bites of everything on your plate and leave the rest, go for it. I never eat at 50s Prime Time in HS because the food is too heavy and the portions too big, I think they do have a salad though. I got a pretty decent veggie burger at Sci Fi, again not a vegetarian but I didn't want something heavy that day and it worked well. Oh, and the fruit stands normally also have big ole dill pickles for snacks as well.

 

[keahgirl8]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I am normally on Weight Watchers, but I don't 100% stay on plan on vacation, because I like to have some treats when I travel. I have just found that I feel a lot better and enjoy my trip more if I eat lighter and balanced meals often. It looks like I'll definitely be eating in Morocco. I see a lot of suggestions for that, as well as Sunshine Seasons. I do remember eating there once in the past and seeing a lot of good options. @loves to dive , I have eaten a lot of kid's meals as well. I'm solo, so sharing isn't an option, and Disney portions are really large. If there is nothing I want on the kid's menu or if I'm eating at TS, I will sometimes go ahead and cut everything in half and get a container before I start eating. I also love Disney pickles! They are great snacks, and actually pretty filling. I too end up eating vegetarian sometimes, just because that is a good lighter option.

 

[Corbinator]

My kids got one of the Mickey check meals at sci fi last week and I was really pleased. It was the grilled chicken and pasta with marinara sauce with carrots and green beans. The bowl was so humongous I am glad they split it. Made their Oreo milkshake a little less indulgent. Also at the food courts I was happy to see cups of fruit like grapes or strawberries. Those bags of apple slices are also plentiful at qs locations.

 

[loves to dive]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I am normally on Weight Watchers, but I don't 100% stay on plan on vacation, because I like to have some treats when I travel. I have just found that I feel a lot better and enjoy my trip more if I eat lighter and balanced meals often. It looks like I'll definitely be eating in Morocco. I see a lot of suggestions for that, as well as Sunshine Seasons. I do remember eating there once in the past and seeing a lot of good options. @loves to dive , I have eaten a lot of kid's meals as well. I'm solo, so sharing isn't an option, and Disney portions are really large. If there is nothing I want on the kid's menu or if I'm eating at TS, I will sometimes go ahead and cut everything in half and get a container before I start eating. I also love Disney pickles! They are great snacks, and actually pretty filling. I too end up eating vegetarian sometimes, just because that is a good lighter option.

Yep, I go solo once a year so I can relate. I normally go during F&W so all my meals except breakfast come from the booths at Epcot, it took me 5 days to work my way around this year and get at least one thing at each booth. I also eat the kids meals for breakfast, I need the protein from the eggs in the morning and normally just eat one piece of bacon. Getting appetizers instead of an entre at the TS places is how I get around those huge portions. Looks like you have a handle on it and you'll do fine. After a while of eating a certain way you just know how to do it and your body will certainly tell you when it's full. I also get up really early every morning and take a nice brisk half hour walk around what ever resort I'm staying at. It's kind of nice when no one is around to just enjoy the beauty of the resorts.