Nutrition Guides

[jensen]

Has anyone ever come across nutrition information for the menus at WDW?

 

[Missytara]

See Disney's site on FAQ's for dining; they do not provide nutritional info.

They prefer to work with you on dietary requirements, rather than "guesstimating" on the nutri info.

I went through this when I was on WW a few years ago - chain restaurants find it easy to provide nutri info, because everything is pre-packaged to get the most profit and everything is always cooked the same way.

That doesn't happen at places like Disney, because everyone cooks everything differently and puts together dishes a bit differently.

 

[disneychic]

I wish they would provide the nutritional info, but I doubt that will happen anytime soon.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I wish they would provide the nutritional info, but I doubt that will happen anytime soon.

Some states actually require it to be available now. I wouldn't expect WDW to offer it until it is mandated by the State of FL.

 

[sophie832]

I bought a book a few years ago about staying healthy while at WDW, and I think it had a lot of recommendations for dining.

I am usually happy to see nutritional info at restaurants, but I think I'd be happier at WDW if I don't know. Can you imagine the stats on some of those meals?

 

[BillSears]

Some states actually require it to be available now. I wouldn't expect WDW to offer it until it is mandated by the State of FL.

I think those states only require it for chain restaurants. Restaurants with just one spot ususally don't have to post nutrition information. In this respect each restaurant at WDW has a different menu and they should fall under the non-chain restaurant rules.

 

[dragonfly57005]

I travel with a child who has type 1 diabetes and while the CM have been helpful, they do not have any printed info available. It's been the biggest gripe on the diabetic and going to disney board.

 

[Snurk71]

I don't want to know. I eat fairly well and regimented all throughout the year and splurge on vacation. I wouldn't want to read that the meal I want is 1,500 kcals with 75g fat - I had that happen to me at Ruby Tuesday's (chain) a few years ago. I used to have the occasional splurge of the triple burger (1lb of meat). Then they put the nutrition makeup on the menu and I couldn't order it any more. I think the meal was about 2,000 calories with at 100g of fat.

Ignorance is bliss for me...

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I travel with a child who has type 1 diabetes and while the CM have been helpful, they do not have any printed info available. It's been the biggest gripe on the diabetic and going to disney board.

Some states actually require it to be available now. I wouldn't expect WDW to offer it until it is mandated by the State of FL.

1) Unfrotunately, Disney WILL NOT give out this info.
2) They are too concerned it will turn off some dining.
3) This is a big fear of WDW eateries. *
4) Until it is law, do not expect them to comply with your wishes.

* This is from chefs and cooks at WDW that I know. It is not that hard to estimate the nutritional values, and be within a good range. This is more political and economical than logistical.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I think those states only require it for chain restaurants. Restaurants with just one spot ususally don't have to post nutrition information. In this respect each restaurant at WDW has a different menu and they should fall under the non-chain restaurant rules.

For now, yes, you are correct. It only applies to chains (I think it's more than 20 restaurants but don't hold me to it). Actually, IIRC, there was some reporting that the mayor of Philadelphia wanted to push for it based on the size of the restaurant (number of seats/square footage). Now, I'm not going to get started on him BUT... I really do wish this was the criteria.

I also think an argument could be made that A). because items are served at more than 20 locations/POS's throughout property and B). because WDW standardizes so much of its food service, that at the very minimum, they would need to provide info for burgers, fries, pizza, chicken nuggets, Mickey waffles, Caesar salads, etc.

I know they'll resist it kicking & screaming but I (along with thousands of other people, I'm sure) really would like to know.

 

[FireDancer]

Even when restaurants provide nutrition guides they are often times laughably inaccurate for a multitude of reasons.

Sometimes it is down to serving size. For example all chicken breasts aren't the same and you don't always get the same size scoop of pasta or the same amount of sauce. Along those same lines many times the nutritional information on that plate of pasta might be for a one cup serving even though you are getting 3 cups of pasta on your plate.

Chefs also experiment. The Nutritional information might be for preparing a dish with olive oil but the chef finds the dish is liked better if it is made with butter. Chefs like to play with recipes and the same dish from one day might not have the exact same ingredients the next.

I think it is much better instead to know what you are eating and use known values to roughly calculate the nutritional information. With the abundance of smartphones it isn't all that hard. If you get a chicken dinner that is a grilled chicken breast, a side of broccoli, and a salad you can make an estimate on the calories if you can estimate the size of the serving and look up the nutritional information. A cup of broccoli will have the nutritional information of a cup of broccoli. A 12 oz chicken breast will have the nutritional information of a 12 oz chicken breast. It is important to know if that chicken breast is covered in a creamy sauce of if the broccoli is cooked in butter but that is easy, ask.

People look at the nutritional information at a restaurant and assume it is gospel, it very much is not. There are too many variables in serving size and preparation for it to be.