Nervous Nellie about staying on my low-cal diet!

[Hisgirl]

For the first time in my life, I have been sticking on a diet and I've actually lost some weight. Yay! BUT...we're leaving Thursday morning and I'm worried how to stay on a low calorie diet.
All that walking will def. make up for some baddies, but what is available to eat, especially for snacks, in the parks?

I found some small individual packages of almond butter and thought it'd go well with a piece of fruit. What else might work?

Looking forward to hearing how yall stayed on track!

 

[Riverhill]

In Liberty Square in the MK their is a fruit stand with frest fruit to eat. I think they had granola bars too. In Epcot I go to THE LAND, the food court there has some great healthy options. I think HS will be the biggest challenge. The food choices there is very limited.

Please let us know how you do. I will be there in Aug and worried about the same thing.

 

[Brook1099]

Hisgirl, I am feeling the same way, I have over two years, lost 80 lbs, and I still generally go to Disney with the I am on vacation mentality, and last year ( we go two weeks) I gained 6 lbs. now that 6 took way more than two weeks to get off. So this year I swear, I am cutting back on the sweets there this year, and opting for more fresh fruit, which is in everypark. So I have no excuse there. Counter Services I am going to get the grapes for my desserts if they will let me. Table services I will order my entree as I like and will get sorbet or fresh fruit for desserts. Other than that I will drink plenty of water, walk walk and end enjoy my vacation. And maybe one or two things that I must have like starring rolls cupcake, just half though, they are huge.

 

[Hisgirl]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for the land. My plan is to eat every 2.5 - 3 hours, some sort of complex carb and protein. Especially protein. Nuts, for sure...but Hmmm...what else?

We'll have a little kitchen at AK so we're bringing in the best breakfast! Ezekial english muffin, with 75% fat free cabot's cheese, canadian bacon and egg white, yum! Thank the Lord there's lots of walking!

 

[Uncle Remus]

I was on the DxDP a few years back, ate 3 TS every day, don't have a youngster's metabolism 'n still lost weight. Good luck.

 

[morgy827]

Went on the DP last year and came back and lost 4 lbs at my WW meeting. Must have been all the walking. Disney usually has some healthier options on the menu and don;t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you just want a grilled chicken breast or a double serving of veggies instead of the potatoes just ask. The worst they can say is no.

 

[a1canesfan]

The nice thing about WDW is that you're probably going to be doing some pretty serious walking and staying fairly active from the time you get up til the time you go to bed each day...I figure this affords me a vacation from my diet as well (within reason, of course). Hey, you have to reward yourself sometimes for your hard work, and WDW seems like the perfect place to do it.

 

[sharadoc]

Best of luck! I think the hardest thing to avoid in the parks is carbs. There is fruit everywhere, and the ice cream carts have a frozen fruit bar. There is usually a sugar free choice too.

Avoid temptation, Don't Do Buffets!!!!!!!

One thing I like to do is get a kids meal. You can do that at both QS and TS restaurants, unless you're on the dining plan. In addition to burgers and nuggets, there can be a turkey sandwich on white, grilled chicken strips, salad. Even if you get a burger, you can only eat half the bun and get the sugar free gelatin and carrots for your sides. DON'T get the fries and cookie, that's all.

There are plenty of vegetarian choices too, usually grilled vegetables.

You're definitely going into it with the right frame of mind. Enjoy

 

[momtotwins]

on vacation i try to follow the don't be stupid plan.do eat what i want but dont eat things because they are there. dont stuff myself. dont get desserts just because its offered. and dont feel guilty

 

[crissy1974]

I just have to say Good Luck!

I was determined to lose weight before our last trip. I lost close to 20 lbs. I went out and bought new clothes for our trip as "my reward". I said I was going to take my running shoes and run along the river at POFQ. That did not happen. I ended up gaining 7 lbs. Ugh. It was downhill from there. I have since gained back all the weight I lost and now am struggling w/ it again.

Someone suggested staying away from buffets. Good idea.

Enjoy your trip!!!!!

 

[DaisyMaisie]

I am a little confused about whether you are on a low carb or a low calorie diet. Because, while great for you and great on a low carb diet, nuts and almond butter are highly caloric. http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3153/2. (that is one spoonful). Not to say that you have to avoid anything as long as you count the calories, and, nut butter on an apple can be very satisfying and save you calories later. But I wanted to be sure you did not mean low carb.

If you are actually on low carbs and not counting calories, I would skip the fruit and pig out on steaks seafood etc. The problem with low carb diets is that if you "cheat just a little bit" and go out of ketosis, you are now eating extremely high calorically and the pounds can pack on fast and then it takes a few days to go back on.

Having done low carb in the past, I have also found that if I go off for a little bit and then go back on strictly the weight pours off like it did when I first started the diet. So personally I would switch to carbs during my trip and watch what I eat just a little.

I would indulge a bit, w/o pigging out. Try to eat relatively low calorie, avoid fatty sauces and dressings and have one or even two indulgences a day which you will burn off. I would still probably avoid potato, pasta and rice.

If you don't have any indulgences at all you might become too resentful and break your diet when you get home. At least I would. Have something you can only get at disney world, and enjoy it! Remember you are doing it for your diet, so that you can stick on it long term!



Michelle

 

[bookgirl]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for the land. My plan is to eat every 2.5 - 3 hours, some sort of complex carb and protein. Especially protein. Nuts, for sure...but Hmmm...what else?

We'll have a little kitchen at AK so we're bringing in the best breakfast! Ezekial english muffin, with 75% fat free cabot's cheese, canadian bacon and egg white, yum! Thank the Lord there's lots of walking!

Take a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread with you. Won't spoil and will give you a protien boost.

 

[Hisgirl]

I am a little confused about whether you are on a low carb or a low calorie diet. Because, while great for you and great on a low carb diet, nuts and almond butter are highly caloric.. (that is one spoonful). Not to say that you have to avoid anything as long as you count the calories, and, nut butter on an apple can be very satisfying and save you calories later. But I wanted to be sure you did not mean low carb.

If you are actually on low carbs and not counting calories, I would skip the fruit and pig out on steaks seafood etc. The problem with low carb diets is that if you "cheat just a little bit" and go out of ketosis, you are now eating extremely high calorically and the pounds can pack on fast and then it takes a few days to go back on.

Having done low carb in the past, I have also found that if I go off for a little bit and then go back on strictly the weight pours off like it did when I first started the diet. So personally I would switch to carbs during my trip and watch what I eat just a little.

I would indulge a bit, w/o pigging out. Try to eat relatively low calorie, avoid fatty sauces and dressings and have one or even two indulgences a day which you will burn off. I would still probably avoid potato, pasta and rice.

If you don't have any indulgences at all you might become too resentful and break your diet when you get home. At least I would. Have something you can only get at disney world, and enjoy it! Remember you are doing it for your diet, so that you can stick on it long term!



Michelle

These are all great suggestions! Michelle, I'm following suggestions on the Livestrong site for MYdailyplate...counting calories and keeping it to around 1200 with added exercise. I function best with good protein and complex carbs (a little) with some veggies. Sugars and simple carbs make me fat quickly. So as for the almond butter, it's the portion control. I track it closely and keep the portions down. The proteins keep me full and I keep the calories down. It's shocking how many calories are in white flour! Eating well also has some great recipes using whole wheat flour. Saved us at Easter for sure! Whole wheat, walnut, strawberry rhubarb crumble! Yum!

It's scary to hear about folks gaining weight back with all that walking. I'm going to have to be really careful! Thank you for the support!!

 

[pezheadmeg]

Lots of water and planned indulgences. Most TS restaurants will let you sub a salad for fries. I have always found allowing myself one Disney cheat a day makes me not feel as bad.

And I always pack protein bars, they've been breakfast and dinner if lunch was a big TS. The buffets aren't too bad if you stick to salad and the good quality protein.

 

[DaisyMaisie]

Sounds like you are on a great plan!

I would splurge on seafood, if you like it, fultons has some nice lunch items: http://allears.net/menu/menu_fcl.htm, sashimi and mis soup are great choices at sushi places. Ask the sandwich places if they have whole wheat bread, and gorge on turkey ham and roast beef, with extra tomatoes and veggies, and vinegar with only a little oil as a dressing if you need one.

I would say pick something to look forward to while you are there. It could be something healthy like sushi or it could be one decadent dessert. If you know you are having something toward the end of the trip it could also help you get through the early part.

Michelle

 

[cglaura]

The walking will definitely make up a lot. I wore a counter one trip, and one day I walked 9 miles!

Last trip I lost 12 lbs. But I was there for 17 days...

One thing that helps me is to have the child's portion (at CS places), especially if it is something not so healthy...like a burger. I get carrots and grapes as a side, and save the grapes for a snack later.

Drink a lot of water too.

Congrats on the progress and good luck!

 

[tomthebarncat]

Disney calories don't count!!!

 

[MelanieC]

Last year was the first vacation I didn't gain anything (except the 2-3 pounds I flucuate up and down throughout the week). I go for two weeks and normally I gain tons, even with walking. That old "but you'll be walking tons" never worked for me when eating more than normal on a two week vacation.

This past summer I was a new vegan and let me just say I still had treats and desserts, but I didn't gain weight. I think not eating the milk, cheese, dairy, eggs, etc. really helped me not to gain weight. Most of my meals had tons of veggies in them along with carbs and I had tofu often while I was there. I didn't limit what I ate, count calories or anything. The food combinations I ate were healthier than the cream sauces, cheeses, sour creams, etc that I might normally get on food and not to mention the calories I missed from not having meat.

I also ate tons of snacks that were much less in calories normally by not having dairy or eggs in them (Not eating baked goods, etc.). There are really good frozen slushies, frozen fruit bars, pretzels, etc. At the CS locations I'd get the life is good cookies or the Divvies cookies and they were much less calories than the regular desserts, but still allowed me to end the meal with a little sweet treet. A lot of the restaurant locations have sorbet's that are alot less calories than the other desserts. You can also ask for fruits at most CS and even TS locations as a dessert or even a side dish.

I also make sure to drink water and unsweetned ice tea so none of my calories are coming from drinks unless I'm having a flavored frozen slushie and then I consider that a snack.

 

[Hisgirl]

Well, I'm back to report on how my diet fared during the trip!

Mornings were easy. We stayed in a room with a kitchen and fixed things like fat free plain yogurt with almonds, strawberries and honey, or ezekial muffin with egg and canadian bacon. That way we started the day with a healthy protein rich breakfast.

So far so good.

In the park, I brought along a Kashi protein bar and an apple. I drank only water and we chose carefully at lunch. Turkey sandwich, no mayo, one slice of bread, NO french fries. Another day, BBQ chicken on a salad and fruit. Last day, I ate small portions in Morrocco.

One day, I caved and ate a chocolate ice cream cone and another day I had a sugar-free strawberry bar. Not too bad overall,though. :

BUT...the dinners were my down-fall. After walking all day ( 1st day 2.0 miles, 2nd day 5.4 miles, 3rd day 6.8 miles, 4th day 5.4 miles) I was wanting to relax and treat myself with a delicious dinner. So for three nights in a row we ate at AKL. ( A different fabulous restaurant each night ) I tried to choose wisely, avoiding breads and rich salad dressings, allowing small bites of dessert at the buffet on one night. Overall, I think it went well.

(Oh my ever lovin' good grief Jiko was amazing!!!!)

So once home, I weighed the next morning and I had GAINED half a pound. What the heck!?
That surprised me given the amount of walking. HOWEVER...2 days later I weighed again and was THREE POUNDS LIGHTER! I must have had water weight from the swollen feet! Hip, Hip Hooray!!

So I'm back on track and....the only thing I would have done different is take the time to stand in line for a Dole whip yumminess!

 

[Riverhill]

Well, I'm back to report on how my diet fared during the trip!

Mornings were easy. We stayed in a room with a kitchen and fixed things like fat free plain yogurt with almonds, strawberries and honey, or ezekial muffin with egg and canadian bacon. That way we started the day with a healthy protein rich breakfast.

So far so good.

In the park, I brought along a Kashi protein bar and an apple. I drank only water and we chose carefully at lunch. Turkey sandwich, no mayo, one slice of bread, NO french fries. Another day, BBQ chicken on a salad and fruit. Last day, I ate small portions in Morrocco.

One day, I caved and ate a chocolate ice cream cone and another day I had a sugar-free strawberry bar. Not too bad overall,though. :

BUT...the dinners were my down-fall. After walking all day ( 1st day 2.0 miles, 2nd day 5.4 miles, 3rd day 6.8 miles, 4th day 5.4 miles) I was wanting to relax and treat myself with a delicious dinner. So for three nights in a row we ate at AKL. ( A different fabulous restaurant each night ) I tried to choose wisely, avoiding breads and rich salad dressings, allowing small bites of dessert at the buffet on one night. Overall, I think it went well.

(Oh my ever lovin' good grief Jiko was amazing!!!!)

So once home, I weighed the next morning and I had GAINED half a pound. What the heck!?
That surprised me given the amount of walking. HOWEVER...2 days later I weighed again and was THREE POUNDS LIGHTER! I must have had water weight from the swollen feet! Hip, Hip Hooray!!

So I'm back on track and....the only thing I would have done different is take the time to stand in line for a Dole whip yumminess!

GREAT JOB I hope I have the will power you had. I have been on a rather strict diet for the past month and have lost 12 lbs. I just keep thinking about the food in WDW.

You are an inspiration to all who struggle with healthly eatting at WDW