Possible to eat healthy on dining plan?

[Princess Disney Mom]

We are on the dining plan and need to really watch DD daughters diet. Is it possible on the dining plan or am I better off staying off-site to buy grocery store foods. I do prefer on site and enjoy the restaurants. Any ideas?

 

[pooh2001]

To get your money's worth on the dining plan - I would say NO to eatting healthy.

Best entree for your $$'s-> 1 TS:

Tony's = NY Strip Steak - Port Wine Sauce, Baked Romano Cheese Potatoes and Broccolini $28.99

Rose & Crown = Surf and Turf - Grilled Steak and Fried Fish with Yorkshire Pudding, Irish Potato Gratin, seasonal Vegetables, and Shallot Gravy $26.99

Chef de France = Canard au miel, haricots vert et pommes de terre douce - Roasted breast of duck and leg confit, french green beans and sweet potato, spicy honey sauce $31.95

Coral Reef = Pan-seared Seasonal Catch - with wild mushroom and bay scallop risotto with celery, root Nage finished with parsley-truffle oil $26.99

Mam Melrose = Charred Strip Steak - Italian Roasted Potatoes and Cipollini Onions, Aged Balsamic-Shallot Butter, and Chianti Wine Reduction $28.99

Yak & Yeti = Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp - skirt steak, tempura-battered shrimp, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables, chili plum dipping sauce $25.99

Flying Fish = Our Chef's Special Thunder Fish: Thai-Lemon Myrtle-Sesame - Panko Crusted Maryland Wild Striped Bass - Young Carrots and Bok Choy, Asian Mushrooms, Romanesco Broccoli and Purple Snow Peas, with lightly Curried Carrot-Coconut Infusion $38.00


The Wave = Braised Lamb Shank - with bulgur wheat- lentil stew and red wine sauce $25.99
or
Grilled Beef Tenderloin - port wine jus, potato and onion gratin and summer ratatouille $29.99

Maya Grill = Prime Rib - our aged prime rib is slow-roasted to capture the full flavors of this classic. Hand-carved to order and served with traditional au jus, baked potato and ratatouille vegetables $29

Narcoossee's = Florida Tilefish - lobster fritters, zucchini, marble potatoes, grape tomatoes, and lobster sauce $36

Kona Cafe = Teriyaki-style New York Strip - sirloin strip grilled with pineapple teriyaki glaze served with mashed Yukon gold potatoes and stir-fried broccolini $28.99

Boatwrights = Slow-roasted Prime Rib - red wine Demi-glace with Yukon gold potatoes, watercress and balsamic vinaigrette $27.99

 

[dskib]

I'd just go to allears.net site to check out the menus at the restaurants to see what's out there. Depending on her age, upgrading her to the adult plan would give her more options in terms of entree, as opposed to being stuck with kids meals.

In any case, you can always have fruit instead of fries and sometimes in place of dessert. And there's usually a sugar free option for dessert as well.

Deb

 

[kldmom2000]

In the past when we did the DDP, I had to be cautious as well because my older DD (now 10) is borderline hypertensive (hereditary). I had to watch her sodium (as I do mine anway) and found that because most of the TS and CS kids' options were the same-ie. hot dogs, mac & cheese, etc.... I tried to book mostly buffets as our TS choices since she could eat from any of the options. We'd load up on fruits and veggies and tried to steer clear of the typical kid fare. For CS options, it was tough since they don't let you veer off the kids' choices, so we'd try to do the PB & J w/ grapes when we could.

Good luck!

 

[Euphoria027]

It's definitely possible. It may not be the most cost effective, but it's possible.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Is your DD a child or an adult on the Dining Plan?

If she is a child, then I would say skip the Dining Plan. There are definately some healthier options at TS and even a few CS - but the majority of the CS places is slim pickings in terms of healthy (thus the low cost of the kids Dining Plan).
If she is considered an adult that there is more flexibilty in terms of healthier options.

 

[DCDisney]

I think you are fine eating on site trying to be healthy but the DDP is a problem with desserts served at each meal. If you just pay as you go and can pick and choose among healthy options you'll be fine. The DDP really saves the most for those who enjoy dessert at each meal, big snacks, and soda/milk shakes/smoothies with meals. If you want to order a side salad with meals that wouldn't be covered on the DDP. If you wanted to order veggies they are usually a side item on TS meals and not covered on the DDP. The regular meal usually comes with a starchy side. We do very nicely sharing some entrees and adding a salad and or veggie. We like having a few fun snacks but 1 funnel cake is plenty for 4 of us. They have nice fruit stands at each park that are relatively inexpensive so not a good DDP value but great when you are paying as you go.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

I posted a similar question a few months ago, my concern being too many desserts. I was told that most places will give you fruit or a bottle of water instead. On our trip, I intend to ask for the grapes that come with the kids' meals as my dessert. It may not be cost effective, but eating healthy never is!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I think you are fine eating on site trying to be healthy but the DDP is a problem with desserts served at each meal. If you just pay as you go and can pick and choose among healthy options you'll be fine. The DDP really saves the most for those who enjoy dessert at each meal, big snacks, and soda/milk shakes/smoothies with meals. If you want to order a side salad with meals that wouldn't be covered on the DDP. If you wanted to order veggies they are usually a side item on TS meals and not covered on the DDP. The regular meal usually comes with a starchy side. We do very nicely sharing some entrees and adding a salad and or veggie. We like having a few fun snacks but 1 funnel cake is plenty for 4 of us. They have nice fruit stands at each park that are relatively inexpensive so not a good DDP value but great when you are paying as you go.

Agreed. Paying as you go is much better in that regard, so you don't feel like you have to order expensive entrees + dessert to get your money's worth.

 

[mainegal]

We are on the dining plan and need to really watch DD daughters diet. Is it possible on the dining plan or am I better off staying off-site to buy grocery store foods. I do prefer on site and enjoy the restaurants. Any ideas?

Yes - stay on site
No - do not use the dining plan

Use the on property restaurants, both sit down and counter service. Stay away from all you can eat (my own problem is that I always eat too much), order only the food you can and should eat. Often, at both sit down and counter service a meal can be easily be shared by two people, supplemented with healthy snacks throughout the day.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

If you decide to stay on property and order groceries, I recommend ordering from Garden Grocer. They'll deliver right to your room, and staying on site will afford you the opportunity to easily go back to your room for lunch.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Thanks everyone. She is a teen so an adult on the plan. I will ask for fruit instead of the dessert or even water if too much fruit. We will have to pick carefully.

 

[christine*]

A lot of the resturants have fish and salad options that could be healthier. You can always ask for sauce/dressing to be served on the side. I've asked for vegtables or a side salad instead of french fries before. It's fun eating at the resturants on site and doable if you're on a diet.