Obesity epidemic and WDW??

[Karlzmom]

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?)

As a "pooh sized" visitor to the MK, I can say that I am definately *aware* of what I am putting into my body. If you are not, or have never been Pooh sized, you really can't say what a person thinks or feels about their food. Its far more complicated than simply saying they shouldn't go back to the buffet line again....I would think that someone who is a nutritionist by trade should know that.

I will state that I do wish Disney offered smaller portions, particularly of the *goodies*, as I hate to waste money on something I'll eat 2 bites of and then throw away. I don't expect Disney to be my mom and "force" me to make a "good" choice......really, does making me have a whole wheat bun on my hot dog suddenly "fix" me? I will also chime in that I have dropped weight at WDW. I think the heat that makes me less hungry and the walking....[which comedian calls it the Epcot-death-march?] come together to equal about a 10 pound drop everytime I'm there....

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I would like to see more healthy options at the CS locations, however that said I don't know if I would personally pick one to eat. When I'm on vacation I'm not counting carbs, and I'm not going crazy at the buffets but I definately eat more overall than I do at home.

We split 2 CS meals between the 3 of us so for us the meals are about the right size.

I think Disney does a great job of having fruit/ veg available at the buffets. We do love to take advantage of that.

So I'm all for having more healthy options, however I think the OP needs to remember the old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink"

 

[livndisney]

You went on vacation and watched people eat?

So while you were sitting and counting the number of trips total strangers made to the buffet, what were you eating?

I knew Disney had shows but I have no idea "Strangers at Buffets" was one of them.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

You went on vacation and watched people eat?

So while you were sitting and counting the number of trips total strangers made to the buffet, what were you eating?

I knew Disney had shows but I have no idea "Strangers at Buffets" was one of them.

It's not really that hard to see many "larger" people overeating at Disney.

 

[twokids0204]

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

More importantly "what" did you eat?

The reason I ask is: Did you find it difficult to make healthy choices.

I understand there are a lot of poor choices to be made on the menu's, but I believe (and you can only evaluate your experiences), that you were able to maintain a healthy balanced diet while on vacation at WDW, and you probably did not have a hard time finding these choices.

I believe keeping healthy is a huge struggle for a large portion of the population, but not because the choices don't exist. The temptation to indulge is a geat tempation, and breaking that is a huge obstacle. I also think it can be quite a stessful battle for a lot of people.

I do applaud your passion and concern. I just don't think WDW can or should be held responsible for poor choices people make every day of their lives, including the 51 weeks a year they are not in Orlando.

But I back your effort to educate the affects for poor dietary choices.

 

[madthemouse]

I agree that we do not need a "Nanny Disney" or "a Nanny State".

OP, you stated that you had seen many large people at WDW, and able to observe some of their eating choices.

I will just say that if there were more healthier choices, and I do believe that WDW does offer plenty. That people will continue to eat whatever they are used too. Which may or may not be healthy. After all, you did say they were "Large People". So being on vacation at WDW or wherever, whatever your eating habits were before, I'm sure they will remain the same. IMO

 

[livndisney]

It's not really that hard to see many "larger" people overeating at Disney.

It is a lot harder to pick out the judgemental people.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I don't think it's any of your business what other are eating, but I disagree with you about the buffets.

I'm a vegan and it was FAR easier for me to eat healthy at the buffets than the CS restaurants. Disney has plenty of options for a person who is choosing to eat healthy, but many people are on vacation and eat what they want.

You have no clue if someone you see who is "larger" as you put it, has lost 100 pounds in the last year or has a health problem. Eating healthy is a personal choice and I don't think it's something that anyone else can make you do, regardless of how many healthy options there are.

I used to be very overweight and I will never get over how judged I was by others. It is no one else's business what I put in my body just like it's no one's business what I do in my bedroom or what my spiritual beliefs are. I will never understand why people think they can judge others in this way.

 

[NonScents]

Agreed: Vacation is a time to splurge, including food and treats.
Agreed: Disney is not responsible for my big butt.

However, it seems to me that all portions are designed to be passed around to a family of 4. I usually go solo, and I enjoy trying new goodies. But if I were to have the typical meal of app, main and dessert, I either have to grossly overeat, or throw away alot of the food, and I do hate waste.

It would be great to see more items in small and large portion size choices. I don't even care if the prices stay the same.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

More importantly "what" did you eat?

The reason I ask is: Did you find it difficult to make healthy choices.

I understand there are a lot of poor choices to be made on the menu's, but I believe (and you can only evaluate your experiences), that you were able to maintain a healthy balanced diet while on vacation at WDW, and you probably did not have a hard time finding these choices.

I believe keeping healthy is a huge struggle for a large portion of the population, but not because the choices don't exist. The temptation to indulge is a geat tempation, and breaking that is a huge obstacle. I also think it can be quite a stessful battle for a lot of people.

I do applaud your passion and concern. I just don't think WDW can or should be held responsible for poor choices people make every day of their lives, including the 51 weeks a year they are not in Orlando.

But I back your effort to educate the affects for poor dietary choices.

I did find it difficult to find alot of healthy choices. What people may perceive as healthy are usually veggies and fruit. but those are often slathered in butter, loaded with sodium, etc. All of the salad dressings tasted like they were loaded with sugar. Sad really, when the "healthy choices" are not even healthy.

 

[goofy4tink]

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

The vast majority of peole heading to WDW are not going to be eating in these restaurants. Why? They are more expensive than most spots. With that in mind, do I think Disney should provide only 'healthy' foods at their restaurants, both counter service and table service? No. It's up to me to find healthy offerings at WDW. I eat at counter service spots as well as table service and I have no issue finding 'healthy' food to eat. In fact, Disney has taken away some things that many would consider to be unhealthy. Gotta love those whole wheat buns!!! Or the choice of apple slices or applesauce for kids. Sure there is plenty of 'bad' food at WDW. But that's not so very different than any other place.
If people want to eat 'healthy', they can...even at WDW. There are plenty of options. People will make their own choices. I'll be danged if someone else is going to tell me what I, and my family, are going to eat while on vacation Give me choices and let me make the ones I choose. If I want those fatty french fries, so be it. If I want chocolate cake, I'll eat it. But, I also eat a fair amount of salad, vegetables, and fruit there as well.

 

[Kumquatmelon]

Disney is doing what pleases the majority of their customers. I know for a fact that I would personally like to have more food than a gourmet size meal which usually includes a bite of a steak and a droplet of potatoes. I know that my family tends to loose weight on a Disney vacation because we wake up around 7, start walking to the bus stop/ entrance to the park around 8 and don't stop walking until lunch time. Then as soon as lunch is over we walk out of the park, and head back to our hotel's pool. Swimming is one of the most bennificial exercises since it works almost every muscle in your body. Then after our quick swim break, we start walking again back to the parks until dinner.

I think that the general pooh sizes that you're seeing in the park is not a disney problem, it's just a general problem of the United States. You don't just go to the park and instantly because you get two extra helpings of mashed potatoes, you gain 10 lbs. this is something that is their own personal dietary/hereditary problem.

LONG LIVE MICKEY ICE CREAM BARS!

 

[kpgriswold]

You should certainly write to Disney and express your opinion. Corporations like to know what customers think, and a variety of differing ideas keeps them improving things.

That said, there is NO WAY Disney is going to pioneer smaller portion sizes or your "no dessert at lunch" rule. Disney wants to make money. If they reduce portion sizes, they would have to reduce prices as well or face the wrath of the dining public. Not gonna happen.

Also, dessert as part of a DP lunch makes sense if you eat a TS meal mid-day and eat light at night. And some people take dessert "to go" at lunch and use it as a pre-paid snack later in the day.

If you want to start a one-dietician crusade, go for posted nutritional information -- this has been proven to make a difference in people's food choices -- and more healthy choices on the menus.

As for the buffets, maybe you should just MYOP (mind your own plate).

 

[Area 4]

Menu options aside, what I find absolutely inexcusable on Disney's part is their refusal to release their nutritional information. It would be nice to know what exactly it is that I'm eating

It's not just Disney, there are a handful of big chains out there that do the same thing.

I must say though, WDW's $5 kids meals are great and are pretty well balanced.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

Menu options aside, what I find absolutely inexcusable on Disney's part is their refusal to release their nutritional information. It would be nice to know what exactly it is that I'm eating

It's not just Disney, there are a handful of big chains out there that do the same thing.

 

[rbenn81]

Bigger question: WHO CARES???

Just so you know, I'm about ready to eat lunch now. Would you like to come watch or come tell me if it's the correct portion size for someone of my body shape????

 

[rubato]

I don't think Disney needs to change their ways to make people eat healthier. I just think people need to eat healthier in general. OP, I know where you are coming from somewhat. I am a personal trainer (well, kind of), and it's hard to see what people do to themselves, because we know they could be so much healthier. And, trust me, health has nothing to do with size or a number on the scale.

But, with that being said, it's their choice. These are grown people who have every right to eat as much or as little junk as they want. I eat VERY healthy while at WDW, but I eat healthy most of the time. I ask for veggies without butter. I won't get the dessert with my lunch and will share a lunch with my husband. I bring oatmeal for breakfast because I can't start my day without it.

This has been a trend for a long time. Bigger and bigger and bigger portions. We can thank practically every single restaurant in America, not just Disney, for this. But, we choose to eat it and until we choose differently, this is what we have!

 

[Disneyadore]

I don't care what others eat neither do I watch them. I only can state for ourselves that we are on the Deluxe dining program and WE think the portions are way to big. Maybe its because were from another part of the world
We always ask if they can serve half portions and you can see the waiters think we are crazy. We don't split a meal, neither do we "save" dining credits and we certainly do not take a doggie bag out of the restaurant.
The only meal that was not out of proportion was dining at Victoria and Albert's.
I only think the kitchen bins must be overloaded with non eaten food and that tons of food are just spilled.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

Bigger question: WHO CARES???

Just so you know, I'm about ready to eat lunch now. Would you like to come watch or come tell me if it's the correct portion size for someone of my body shape????

It's not specifically about you. It's about an epidemic that is killing, literally, this nation.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

I was surprised when I saw that you were from New Orleans. Since I live in Louisiana, I can say that I find the food at WDW much healthier than what is offered in restaurants here. I also see more overweight people in Louisiana than I see at WDW - myself included.