on weight watchers and going to disney

[JMV7707]

i just recently joined weight watchers, and i am kinda nervous about the food options at disney world. which restaurants might be the best bet to stay on plan?

 

[JennSaint]

There are pretty much salads on all the menus but let me tell you this. We've gone to Disney several years most vacations were for 10 days. While I don't go crazy I have never gained more than a few pounds and that's pretty much eating what I want.
I usually have a good breakfast and dinner which almost always includes a dessert. Most days we skip lunch. At the counter service restaurants alot of times I order from the kids menu.
You do alot of walking at WDW and if you don't go crazy you'll be fine.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I would suggest you check out the menus on allearsnet to see what they have to offer. That way you know beforehand what is available and aren't scrambling at the last minute when you are HUNGRY! Many of the table service restaurants will help you with dietary considerations and many of the quick service restaurants have lighter options (like salads). But you asked for names of restaurants so here are a FEW that I recommend (there are so many though!):

- Sunshine Seasons (QS) at Epcot - I love their salmon!
- Tangeriene Cafe (QS) at Epcot - They have great hummus, tabouleh and other salads.
- Columbia Harbour House (QS) at Epcot - Yes, they have fried foods but they also have a good salad and some unique sandwich choices.
- The Wave (TS) at Contemporary - great, organic food

And there are so many table service restaurants that service great fish and salads - take a look at the menus and see what you like!

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

I agree that its a good idea to first check out the menus for the restaurants before you go. Decide now what you want to eat and stick with it once you're faced with the decision at the table. Bring something with you to use as an anchor while you're there. Have you earned your 10% key chain yet?? You could bring that and hook it around your belt loop or something else that would remind you to make healthy choices and not to overeat.

 

[candielips]

I agree that its a good idea to first check out the menus for the restaurants before you go. Decide now what you want to eat and stick with it once you're faced with the decision at the table. Bring something with you to use as an anchor while you're there. Have you earned your 10% key chain yet?? You could bring that and hook it around your belt loop or something else that would remind you to make healthy choices and not to overeat.

I love this idea! We spent 14 days at WDW last fall and I gained 6 lbs!! It has derailed me from WW ever since, and it has only been this past week that I have managed to get my head back into things.

 

[nkereina]

I plan to go off my diet for my week at Disney (shh!) but if I were to stay on it, which I thought about, I would be ordering yogurt and fruit and my cereal and milk from Garden Grocer to have as breakfast during the week. Saves money and is healthy. Then lunch would be a salad and a sensible dinner would be a good steak or fish. If you're on the dining plan, you might not want to do breakfast this way but it's what I thought of when I considered it. Good luck and kudos to you for staying on your diet while at DW!

 

[jwfla422]

I would suggest you check out the menus on allearsnet to see what they have to offer. That way you know beforehand what is available and aren't scrambling at the last minute when you are HUNGRY! Many of the table service restaurants will help you with dietary considerations and many of the quick service restaurants have lighter options (like salads). But you asked for names of restaurants so here are a FEW that I recommend (there are so many though!):

- Sunshine Seasons (QS) at Epcot - I love their salmon!
- Tangeriene Cafe (QS) at Epcot - They have great hummus, tabouleh and other salads.
- Columbia Harbour House (QS) at Epcot - Yes, they have fried foods but they also have a good salad and some unique sandwich choices.
- The Wave (TS) at Contemporary - great, organic food

And there are so many table service restaurants that service great fish and salads - take a look at the menus and see what you like!

Very good suggestions, I agree as well. I always check the menus on allears before I make our ADRs and before we dine. We just got back from WDW and I have been doing WW for years although I got a little side-tracked the end of last year I rejoined and have been doing the new program as well.

I can't say I was real behaved when we went to WDW last week, but it was only for a few days and I did have a lot of salads with dressing on the side and cheese on the side as well. (LTT has an amazing Colony salad, dressing and cheese on the side-AWESOME!!) I did get on a smores kick though because we stayed at the FW cabins and we had a little grill outside and made smores and it was cold so it was so appropriate LOL! (oh that was fun)..but I only had a few and it was a much better choice than a brownie a la mode or something like that.

We did too many buffets though which we usually don't do and even though you can take small tastes it still adds up so try not to do too many buffets. I did NOT gain which was great.

MOST of the restaurants and even counter service have healthier options (grilled chicken vs fried, etc) and you can make requests without missing out on the fun. But do treat yourself here and there so you don't get too frustrated. Don't forget FRUIT is zero now and there are a lot of place you can get some or a lot of menu items that have fruit as part of the meal (lots of salads like that).

Bring your tracker with you, definitely helps to write everything down. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[sydneysmom]

both my DH and I were on WW when we went in Sept. We did choose "more healthful" options and asked for sauce on the side so we could control how much. But, we didn't count points or deprive ourselves of anything. it's one week. it's not going to make or break your eating habits or your weight loss. We too went out to All Ears and chose our restaurants by the menus. We kind of stuck w/ steak, fish, veggies....then we didn't feel bad ordering dessert !

alot of the time we split desserts... we didn't over eat and we did a TON of walking. Neither one of us gained one pound when we went. ( I know, how lucky was that ??)

but we went in knowing we were going to "blow it" for the week. But I think it's funny in a way... WW gives you such good tools to work with that you just automatically wind up not choosing the REALLY super high carb / fat foods. Don't beat yourself up if you want to have fun on your trip. There's going to be PLENTY of life left to lose weight when you get home. HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[NHDisneyKid]

Congrats on joining WW - I've been on plan for about two years now and have lost 70 lbs, so I definitely understand wanting to stay on target while on vacation!
I've been to the World twice while on WW. The first time, May of 2010, I lost 3 lbs - probably because we were hiking up to 7 miles a day in 90+ degree heat! The second time, Dec of 2010, I gained 3 lbs - probably because we stayed inside most of the time because it was in the 30s!
Honestly, I went into both vacations just thinking I would be "smart" about what I ordered. I typically ordered grilled fish or chicken as I didn't know how lean the beef would be. I also asked for most things to be prepared without sauce, or to bring sauce on the side (easy for me as I like most things plain anyway). Forgot to mention, we were also on DELUXE dining (ate 3 table service meals a day)...I usually had a salad for my appetizer and always had dessert! At places like the Plaza, most sandwiches come with fries, I would get whatever the other option was, so I didn't even tempt myself with things I didn't need!
Good luck to you, it definitely can be done!

Edited to add: GOOD POINT on fruit being a 0 points plus value now! The great thing about Disney being in FL? Always lots of fresh fruit!

 

[Agri]

Here's the thing - if you're walking, you'll be burning more calories per day than you normally would at home. I would not be as strict with your diet as you would be at home because your body will need more calories to sustain itself AND you don't want to put anymore undue stress on your body in WDW - the land of germs.

A lot of meals can be split - and if you're staying in a moderate or deluxe resort, you'll have a fridge to save leftovers - so don't shy away from a steak dinner because its SO BIG. Eat a reasonable portion and save the rest for another meal at your resort. If you're afraid you'll still eat too much, ask for a box as soon as you get your entree.

I honestly usually lose weight at WDW because of all the extra walking and the fact that I don't plan 3 full meals a day. We usually have a big breakfast, a QS lunch if we need it, and a TS dinner - and rarely have room for dessert. If we have a buffet breakfast, we usually don't get hungry until its time for an early dinner.

 

[portobello_rd]

i just joined 2 months ago (and lost 16 lbs!!) and i also wondered this. but im def NOT going to count points on my vacation because i think id just get upset- but i KNOW that ill be walking a lot, sweating a lot, and i think ill come out even. but really, WHO goes on vacation and follows a strict diet?

 

[disneywatcher]

I plan to go off my diet for my week at Disney (shh!) but if I were to stay on it, which I thought about, I would be ordering yogurt and fruit and my cereal and milk from Garden Grocer to have as breakfast during the week. Saves money and is healthy. Then lunch would be a salad and a sensible dinner would be a good steak or fish. If you're on the dining plan, you might not want to do breakfast this way but it's what I thought of when I considered it. Good luck and kudos to you for staying on your diet while at DW!

I plan on going off my diet as well. I also hope that drinking water/iced tea without sweetener and walking as much as possible will keep my weight in check. I also lately have been staying away from fries and fried food in general so hopefully that will be in my favor when I'm there.

 

[noahdove]

I would eat salad and cut fruit everyday all day if someone would fix it for me, so, I am anxious to have this all in front of me...I too am on WW and the weight is SLOWLY but, I am hoping to not gain while I am on vacation...

 

[Belleandtinker]

Congrats on WW! I'm working on it and already thought about how am I going to do it while at WDW.

I reviewed some of the menus and I'm planning on eating off the children's menus for breakfast and lunch while adding fruit where possible. I want to make better decisions, but LOVE so many of the restuarant - I want to enjoy them too.

Last trip, I bet my DH gained 10+ from "eating meat off the stick" at Ohana and drinking. He's lost 50+ pounds since that trip and am interested to see what he eats. He loves fish, so that should be easy for him.

My weak points are mickey shaped soft pretzels and Goofy's candy shop. I'll let you know how I do.

 

[WindFlower]

Not on ww but thought I would share my experience...

I'm naturally a thin person. I usually can eat what I want and get away with it. When I went to wdw in nov 2007 I somehow managed to gain 11lbs in 8 days!! No idea how I pulled that off and luckily it came off when I got home. But we were on the ddp at the time which included appetizers and I ate everything put in front of me!!

We went back in aug 2008 and I still ordered everything, but only ate a few bites of the app or dessert before passing it off to my brother or dh. I loaded up on salads, didn't eat fries and no alcohol. When I got home, I was relieved to see my weight didnt change!

So I would say treat yourself to some stuff in moderation and you should be ok!

 

[Threxix]

I think you can make solid choices there without worrying about putting on weight. I would not count calories because that will limit your enjoyment. Splurge once in awhile while there. The upside to Disney is you will walk miles and miles each day! You burn alot of calories in those parks. Earlier this year I went and wore a pedometer for the week I was there. 57 miles walked in 5 days.

 

[dancin Disney style]

WW lifetime member here

My advise and it's what I follow while on vacation is this....eat what you want but not all of it. Try to stick to only eating half of what is on the plate. Veggies and fruit being the exception if you find you need a little more than half....unless of course they are covered in a sauce of some kind. Stay away from the smoothies, soda and juice as your beverage. Stick to water...which I do normally.

I also find that often at WDW I only eat 2 meals a day. When we started using the DDP it was way too much food. So we tried having a late breakfast and then an early dinner with a snack in between if needed. Well the snack was rarely needed. Last trip we ended up with 32 left over snack credits. The 2 meal a day plan works perfectly for us. We are just so busy that we don't think about eating.

 

[soarinup]

I have been watching my caloric intake since April of 2010 so I CAN eat what I want at WDW. My trip in September is a culmination of saving money and watching my weight, so I am in the "let yourself go a bit" camp!

 

[snykymom]

I would suggest not getting the dining plan. I know for me, if I've already paid for dessert, I'm going to eat it! And it's not going to be fruit! I'd also feel compelled to use whatever snack credits I have.

If I'm paying OOP, maybe I'll only have an appetizer. Or skip a snack one day. Or only have dessert a couple of times instead of having it with every meal. The flexibility allows me to stay on track.

 

[emlutz23]

Whenever I go to the buffets, I always walk around to see everything that they have first. Then I go back and select small portions of whatever seems like it will be "worth it". I usually do go back for seconds (hey, it is a buffet after all!), but since I took smaller portions the first time around, seconds don't seem so bad.

In my experience, WDW has always been accommodating when it comes to dietary needs. If you find a menu item you want, but think it could be modified slightly, then by all means ask!

I still enjoy churros, Dole Whips, etc... but I try to find other ways to reduce the amount of points I'm consuming. I never counted points while at WDW, but did my best to save where I could so I didn't feel so bad about splurging other times!