Paleo eating in the World

[ChrissyBeth29]

Hello All! My DH and I just started eating Paleo, and we were trying to figure out how that would work in the World. For those of you who don't know, Paleo is basically caveman/hunter gatherer eating. NO dairy, grains, alcohol, sugar, or beans. Meat, fish, veg, fruit, and nuts. Where do you recommend for the best, and tastiest meals?

 

[eeyoresmom]

I don't eat paleo but am very familiar with it. How much difficulty you encounter in the world depends on how strict you are with it. For example, most QS places have entree salads, but may have breaded chicken, cheeses, sugar in the dressings, etc. Take a look at the the menus on allears, see what interests you, then come back and ask specific questions. I think you would do very well at certain places like 'ohana, sunshine seasons....check out the platters at Tangerine Cafe and there's always the ubiquitous turkey leg!Almost all of the buffets would work since you could stick to meat and salad/veggies there ( but again, some will be in sauces)

 

[bentopher]

My mom is on a paleo "diet" due to health issues. She has been extensively reviewing the menus at allears.net so we can figure out what is best for her.
I know the majority of time at WDW she will eat fruit for breakfast, nuts and raw veggies for snacks, and dinner will be usually chicken and veggies or a salad. For dressing she always asks for just oil and vinegar (at other restaurants) and it's never been an issue, we hope it's the same at WDW. She can't eat dressings because of the preservatives.

For her eating the "wrong" thing can cause her a lot of bloating, cramping and digestion discomfort.

Take some time to review the menus and I've read a lot about chefs being very accommodating. We aren't going until May, so I should know more after we get back

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

We are Atkins eaters and it's not quite the same but daughter eats Paleo and here are the places we had an easier time:

Teppan Edo, ask for no noodles and I didn't have the rice so I'm not sure if you can ask for brown rice but it pretty much leaves you with meat and veggies.

Cape May Cafe had steamed crablegs, peel and eat shrimp, tons of salads etc.

Scrambled eggs are easy at any CS

They have a cart in Liberty Square that has sweet potatoes.

Sunshine Seasons we all did pork chops and green beans

POR has a make your own salad that's pretty easy. You can do shrimp there.

There is grilled salmon and broccoli at CHH

Narcossees was pretty accessible.

We had a lot of salads with chicken but they sometimes have corn or beans so ask and look!

Big hint is ask ask ask...we were on the DDP and we were able to trade our desserts for water bottles much of time time.

Maybe some of that will help.

 

[princessallegra]

Will you have a car? We are gluten and dairy free, not paleo, but very familiar with it. If you have a car there is a whole foods in orlando about 10-15 mins from wdw that we go to and stock up on fresh organic fruits for the room/snacks, case of waters, coconut water, peanut butter, etc. Since you are dairy free you could mark a milk allergy on all of your dining reservations. It's ok it you aren't actually allergic, it's a health choice. I'm not allergic or celiac but dairy and gluten cause me great inflammation and digestive issues. The chef will come to your table and be happy to help you. We eat at a decent amount of signature restaurants, and have always been able to get a nice grilled protein and veggies. As for dressing, as a PP mentioned, I always ask for plain oil and vinegar. It has never been a problem. We love crystal palace breakfast, we get an 8:00 am adr. They have a huge delicious fruit area with berries and grapes and pineapple and so much more. They have an omelette station where they will make you eggs and omelettes however you like. They have bacon and potatoes as well. They also have a pastrami lox that is great.

And obviously tons of salad! The Mara at AKL had great salads, the Plaza in MK, Liberty tree tavern in MK for lunch, the wave at CR has great salads. I was underwhelmed by the AoA make your own salad area but it was better than the pepper market at our resort! Yeesh!

 

[Alice Sr.]

If you have a car there is a whole foods in orlando about 10-15 mins from wdw

I did not know that, thanks.

 

[princessallegra]

I did not know that, thanks.

You're welcome! And it is an AMAZING whole foods. Seriously better than all 3 here on Long Island, and all the nyc ones too.

 

[parkhopping]

Not Paleo, but my mom has several dietary restrictions that help control her Fibromyalgia, among other health concerns. The basics are no corn, gluten, dairy, soy, or potato products. When my parents came to visit last month we were so impressed with the service at TS restaurants. I marked at least one allergy on all our ADRs, and we reminded the server as well. Each time the chef came out to talk to my mom and go over the menu with her. He came out again once the food came out to be sure it was OK. At Les Chefs the server was great to recommend a dessert for her. She can rarely have dessert at restaurants so this was a real treat.

You might also check out the disABILITIES board. There's lots of great info there

 

[michelleiada]

WDW is wonderful when it comes to food allergies and dietary restrictions. Wherever you decide to eat, tell a cast member that you have dietary restrictions. You will be visited by the chef and they will cook something special for you if need be. I have never ever seen any place so accommodating. they are wonderful!! My daughter has Crohns and controls it with a diet that is very close to Paleo.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I do not eat carbs and it was very easy for me to ask for extra veggies instead of pasta rice or potatoes. Some places like Teppan Edo and Nine Dragons did charge me for that but I was ok with it. No problems having a burger without the bun or leaving off the croutons on my salad. I was so happy it was as easy as it was because I was stressing about it for 6 months lol

 

[ChrissyBeth29]

Thanks everyone. We're not doing it because of allergies, etc. It's mostly for our health/weight loss. We are loving it, and we really want to enjoy the parks. I had no idea there was a sweet potato cart in MK. That's awesome. I assume that most places we will be okay, but I was a sugar junkie, and I KNOW some temptations will be there. All the suggestions are AWESOME! We're going to have a lot of options, it seems, which is great.

 

[RMulieri]

I am Primal ( similar to Paleo excpet Primal allows for some dairy).I have had no issues eating this way at both Disney and Universal

 

[Boardwalk529]

I think you would be best off eating at as many signatures as possible. They rely much less on cheap fillers and side dishes and focus much much more on quality cuts of meat/fish. I like to cut back in other ways so that I can get in as many signature restaurants as I can

 

[CanadianDISfan]

2015 UPDATE: The Cave Inn Bbq has closed in Winter Park!

 

[ChrissyBeth29]

OOOH...CanadianDisFan...I can't wait to read your DR...you'll have to give me some tips!

 

[aubriee]

Check out the menu at a new restaurant that just opened near WDW if you have a rental car. Cave Inn Bbq caters to Paleo and Primal dieters:

http://caveinnbbq.com/wp/?page_id=37

I can't wait to try it in 3 weeks when we arrive in Orlando as well as all of the other suggestions people have posted on this thread! Thanks everyone!

I just turned Paleo 8 weeks ago and will be blogging about my upcoming trip to Walt Disney World here:

www.gabbybr.blogspot.ca

Anyone know how far this restaurant would be from WDW? I'll be at Bonnet Creek in Sept and may need to give it a try, if it's not too far.

 

[sb682]

Anyone know how far this restaurant would be from WDW? I'll be at Bonnet Creek in Sept and may need to give it a try, if it's not too far.

Google Maps says it's about 13 miles from WBC. We'll be staying there on our next trip and I would LOVE to try this place, but it's kinda far for us.

As far as the original post goes, we went in February and stayed fairly Paleo/Primal most of the trip. It was easy to get things like bunless hamburgers, rotisserie chicken, sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs and bacon, and other Paleo-friendly foods at most CS restaurants. We packed snacks like fruit, raisins, trail mix, Larabars and jerky to eat in the parks between meals. Babycakes in DTD has gluten-, dairy- and soy-free doughnuts and cupcakes if you feel like cheating. And Dole Whips are dairy-free, too.

 

[ChrissyBeth29]

SB682....dole whips are dairy free?!? SCORE! You made my day!

 

[chimilady]

SB682....dole whips are dairy free?!? SCORE! You made my day!

The Vanilla ones still contain dairy. Just get a fruit flavor if you want to stay dairy free.

 

[vinotinto]

SB682....dole whips are dairy free?!? SCORE! You made my day!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/walt-disney-world-dole-whip-2452452

Half cup serving has 17 grams of sugar