Obesity epidemic and WDW??

[Dsnylvr8]

Hello All, i just returned from a lovely vacation. As a registered nutritionist however, i got a little worried with some things i saw. All of the portions at WDW are HUGE! I couldn't believe it. Many of the people i saw were on the larger side, and were going up to buffets as many as 4 times! Does anyone else thing Disney has a role to play in stopping this epidemic that is killing many people in this country?? How about smaller portions, more healthy options (i cant tell you how many times i saw burgers and ribs on menus)?? Lower salt options?? People can't make healthy choices if there aren't many to be had!! It seems some people go to Disney world solely to eat food. If the food is made healthier, we will all be better off. If i wrote to Disney, do you think it would make a difference?? I think the best way to start is to eliminate desserts with lunches on the dining plan. Completely unnecessary. Thoughts?? And anyone have an address to whom i could write??

 

[BlovesC]

What a juicy first Dis post ever!

 

[fireman1]

Folks tend to forget about eating healthy while on vacation. I know it's the last thing on my mind.

 

[J3nn78]

I dont think Disney needs to change a thing. It is not their responsibility. I would be upset if they made changes like you suggest

I eat healthy all the time. But when I am on vacation- I don't worry about eating healthy and I may go back to the buffets more than once and have dessert when I normally would not. All part of what I consider vacation. 1 week of not so healthy eating will not harm people if they are healthy all the rest of the time.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

[bradk]

i'm not sure you're actually witnessing people gaining weight at the parks, at least not noticeably. so if there's a problem, i'm not sure the parks is where you want to start. besides, with what food costs there, it better be large portions.

Dave Barry has tweeted some interesting related comments when he's at the parks. something about a large butt ray focused on the magic kingdom.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

What does this mean??
"Dave Barry has tweeted some interesting related comments when he's at the parks. something about a large butt ray focused on the magic kingdom."


you all might be right, WDW is not the first place to start. I don't know, i just never noticed how prevalent the Obesity Epidemic was until my recent trip to WDW. Maybe thats why i thought it was a good place to start. I still think writing to include more healthy options can't hurt right? Does anyone know an address for someone who i could write to?

 

[preschoolmom]

I lost weight on our last Disney World vacation Between all the walking, and pulling out my camera to take pictures at character meals, I don't recall eating much of anything!

Please don't take away my desserts and junk food on vacation!

 

[snoopy two]

I thought we had to eat the large portions while we are there to keep up our energy for all the walking.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

 

[never_enough_pooh]

I am a dietitan as well and I gotta tell ya, I go back up the buffet several times while on vacation too!

I am not overweight but like previous posters have said we are on vacation and everything in moderation is the key. That is also what I teach my patients that I instruct on healthy eating. Moderation.

Walt Disney world did not make these large people you are talking about overweight. They are overweight mainly because they don't eat a healthy lifestyle throughout the year. It's not because of their 1 week vacation to Disney each year.

I do try to make sure even on vacation that I eat relatively healthy and I have had no problems finding healthy options at the buffets. There are many fruits/veggies/cereals and dairy products available at the buffets.

The thing is, though, people have to choose them. It's not Disney's fault if people avoid the healthy options that they have available.

 

[Hannathy]

Disney is not a person's nanny or their Mother (neither is the government but I digress!) It is not their responsibility to determine what we eat, their job is to make money! Everyone goes to Disney of their free will and as adults can determine what they want to eat and how much. You don't have to be a glutinous pig at Disney if you don't want to. And as a dietitian you know you can eat all those things on Disney's menu if you eat them in moderation, many people just choose not to. I would like to see Disney do away with the all you can eat buffets but from a financial point of view, I never eat anywhere near my money's worth and hate paying for others to over eat.

Do I agree that obesity is out of control in this country, yep I do. BUT it is not up to a business to try and control it.

 

[Rosanne]

I have unintentionally lost weight on every WDW vacation I've ever been on... probably about 12. Even when I think I've gained weight because I've eaten more I weigh myself at home and have lost 2-5 pounds. I neeeeeeed whatever food I get. I am walking like a mad woman every day. If they take away food choices or make smaller portions there will be heck to pay!!! I'll surely starrrrve.

 

[pickles]

Disney is not my mother and has no need nor right to tell me how to eat.
It is their job to provide selections and hope I wish to buy some of them.
You can eat "healthy" at disney if you want to, but dont dictate to me how I should eat.

It is year round eating, nutrition and excercise or lack there of that makes the difference.

and FYI I am not one of the obese people, but I will defend anyones right to eat what they want, and I dont smoke and I will defend smokers right to have some place safe and without harassment to smoke

Perhaps, your energy would be better served in making a website "how to eat healthy at disney or while on vacation" and then using the menus they have make suggestions.?

 

[Dsnylvr8]

I guess you are all right, Disney is not someone's mother. But at the same time, i think people need to be more aware of what they are putting into their bodies, and what an actual portion size for a meal is. (WAY less than the size of ONE disney buffet plate.) Maybe nutrition info could be available? (or is it already, and i just missed it?)

 

[syudelson]

I think Disney is going with the flow of the rest of the country. Every fast food restaurant has a super size option even though the meals are too calorie/fat laden to begin with. Sit down restaurants are no different, most offer entrees that are 2-3 portions actually. Ever read reviews of restaurants outside of WDW? Restaurants that serve what is close to a true portion size get downgraded for having dinky portions. Do I think the WDW portions are too big? Yes. I also think it's ridiculous that they give a dessert with every meal. There's no way my kids or I are eating a dessert with every meal when I know they wants treats in between. That's one of the reasons we don't get the DP. But I also know that WDW does it's research and are giving people want they want. Americans want junk food and lots of it.

 

[twokids0204]

Dsnylvr8, Can I ask you a question?

What did you eat during your stay?

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Do the Disney buffets feed trolls too? Take away desserts, bwahahaha, that's a good one. I don't usually eat popcorn, but I may have to while I watch this one play out.

 

[sters]

No, I do not think Disney or McDonalds or any other eating establishment is responsible for what I shove in my pie hole. I control the motions between my fork/hand and my mouth. Whatever happened to "personal responsibility" in this country?

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

I know exactly what the correct portion size is, and am fully aware of what I put into my body. You, more than anyone, should know that you can eat a balanced diet AND include fats and carbs in moderation. Just because a person goes to a buffet more than once also doesnt mean they are over eating. I go more than once because I dont want to take more than I will eat and end up throwing it away, so I get small amounts at a time and go back if I want more. Am I overweight? Yep. Am I taking the correct measures to lose that weight? Yep. And that includes being able to eat sweets in moderation. Not every fat person is lazy and just eats crap all the time.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

Dsnylvr8, Can I ask you a question?

What did you eat during your stay?

We ate at BOMA, SANAA, The Wave, Cali Grill, and Brown Derby.. why?