Whole30 At Disney... Any Recommendations?

[IvyWinter]

I know, I must be crazy. It wasn't intentional; I started whole30 5 days ago, and booked an impromptu trip 2 days ago. Sure, i could just put the kibosh on it and restart when i get back, but I almost want to challenge myself while there.

The basics of whole30 are kind of like paleo, except a bit more strict (no dairy, no butter, no added sugars, etc). So far, I've booked a Tusker House meal as I know they have plenty of meat + veggie options and i can skip over all the dairy and breads! I also have a meal booked at Skipper's Canteen, since I saw a couple of menu items that should be no problem.

What about quick service? I assume there's plenty of simpler options, and i know they are very accommodating to food needs if i ask. Any good options off the top of your heads? I know ABC Commissary has a grilled chicken salad and also a sandwich which i can remove bread from.. im fine with doing some finagling of my own instead of bugging a CM to do so (especially since this isnt like, a legit allergy or diet concern, just a choice, so i dont want to bother them!).

Any other simple meals at quick service places that you guys can think of? Anything would help as i plan out my days! I've heard the new restaurant in Pandora can be worked to be fairly healthy, esp their vegetarian option.

 

[loves to dive]

The QS at Morocco should have a number of options.

 

[IvyWinter]

The QS at Morocco should have a number of options.

OH, good call! I didnt even think about it... and i LOVE moroccan food!

 

[kiramay]

Satu'li Canteen has meat and veggies options. We ate there twice and loved it.

 

[Dsny4fun]

Having done a whole 30 before, you will probably have a hard time doing it at Disney. Yes, you can have meat at Tusker House but I'm sure the meat has been seasoned and probably been marinated and you have no way of knowing if there were sugar in any of those things. Salad dressings may also have items that are not whole 30 approved. Very few bacons have no sugar and are whole 30 approved. My point is you have no way to know how the items are prepared so If I were you...I'd do the whole 30 after vacation.

 

[IvyWinter]

Having done a whole 30 before, you will probably have a hard time doing it at Disney. Yes, you can have meat at Tusker House but I'm sure the meat has been seasoned and probably been marinated and you have no way of knowing if there were sugar in any of those things. Salad dressings may also have items that are not whole 30 approved. Very few bacons have no sugar and are whole 30 approved. My point is you have no way to know how the items are prepared so If I were you...I'd do the whole 30 after vacation.

I cant eat red meat (im allergic) so bacon is not a problem. Plan to ask for dressings on the side. I also know chefs tend to be very friendly about letting you know how foods are prepared, so i don't mind asking! I realize going into this that itll be more WORK than usual, but im willing to put in that work

 

[HandsofReiki]

So, random thought not really pertaining to the question, but...

I have never heard pork being referred to as red meat.

I've never heard of a red meat allergy either. (doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I'm chemically sensitive... coming more into awareness nowadays, but man, 10 years ago...whew).

So, is pork red meat?

What doesn't a red meat allergy entail?

 

[IvyWinter]

So, random thought not really pertaining to the question, but...

I have never heard pork being referred to as red meat.

I've never heard of a red meat allergy either. (doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I'm chemically sensitive... coming more into awareness nowadays, but man, 10 years ago...whew).

So, is pork red meat?

What doesn't a red meat allergy entail?

not random! I generally refer to it as a red meat allergy, but im specifically allergic to pork, beef and lamb. I had an allergy test over a year ago and both the skin test and bloodwork confirmed it. So, for sake of parsing them all out, i just say im allergic to red meat and throw pork in there! Also i think a lot of people at least here (here being east coast? NYC? i dunno haha) consider it a red meat as well, or at the very least, in its own category.

 

[thepicklebee]

So, random thought not really pertaining to the question, but...

I have never heard pork being referred to as red meat.

Nutritionally, yes. Meat from all mammals is considered red from a nutritional standpoint, while this is not always the case from a culinary viewpoint.

 

[HandsofReiki]

I didn't know that. thx!

 

[disneylove16]

not random! I generally refer to it as a red meat allergy, but im specifically allergic to pork, beef and lamb. I had an allergy test over a year ago and both the skin test and bloodwork confirmed it. So, for sake of parsing them all out, i just say im allergic to red meat and throw pork in there! Also i think a lot of people at least here (here being east coast? NYC? i dunno haha) consider it a red meat as well, or at the very least, in its own category.

I'm in the same boat! I'm allergic to beef and pork (never tried lamb, so may be 3 for 3) but I can eat poultry or seafood no problem. Back on the subject of your poat though, I second Satu'li Canteen. I javen't eaten there yet, but their menu looks doable. Good luck!

 

[TiffanyA]

How about a turkey leg?

 

[Pennstate6411]

My point is you have no way to know how the items are prepared so If I were you...I'd do the whole 30 after vacation.

I would have to agree 100%. There is almost no way that you can eat out on a Whole 30 multiple multiple meals ( especially Tusker house- way too much cross contamination and it would be hard to get custom made food at a buffet) and have stayed within the program. Hidden sugar, hidden oils, hidden butter, hidden SOY ( did you know lots of canned tuna fish has soy in it and therefore is not whole 30 compliant). You might find oil and vinegar for salads but are they whole 30 compliant ( some vinegars are not - I think this has been laxed lately and its more so the malt but still you never know).

I don't see it being truly possible being compliant unless you watch them make everything and have the ingredients list in everything.

You will be spending your entire vacation prepping and reading and doing your homework just to figure out your approved foods and even that is going to be tough. Other than fruit ( which is supposed to be limited) I don't see much available for breakfast ( you can order eggs but you would have to make sure no butter was used and that only compliant oils are on the grill). You cant do bacon or sausage anyway so that's not a big deal. Other restaurants you will have to do a lot of table service meals I think to remain compliant unless you pretty much eat salads and bring your own dressings. At those restaurants you will still need to speak to the chef and explain that you need a clean grill and to verify they have the appropriate oils ( I would hope they have EVOO). I think if you can get this you can probably order fish with EVOO no seasonings ( many seasoning salts have sugar or MSG in them) and you can ask for a baked potato with nothing on it. You will be limiting yourself severely and you still may end up going off plan because of a hidden ingredient in something you didn't see. You are going to stress yourself out while you are on vacation.

I don't think going to Disney is the right time to be on a Whole30 but that's just my opinion and I know I wouldn't do it as I would want to enjoy myself and eat what I want when I want while at Disney. I am not spending $1,000s to go to Disney and miss half my experience because I am busy looking at compliant meals and figuring out where the next compliant meal may come from. I want to enjoy the here and now while I am there- I can worry about what I am putting in my belly when I get home from vacation.

That being said- if you care to challenge yourself I wish you nothing but the best and good luck but please note that even with you putting 100% effort in remaining complaint there is ALWAYS the chance of cross contamination while eating out, and even one slip up or accident of sugar or oil or soy or dairy or grain or legume that isn't compliant, you will have to start all over again anyway.

 

[OasterP]

Having done a whole 30 before, you will probably have a hard time doing it at Disney. Yes, you can have meat at Tusker House but I'm sure the meat has been seasoned and probably been marinated and you have no way of knowing if there were sugar in any of those things. Salad dressings may also have items that are not whole 30 approved. Very few bacons have no sugar and are whole 30 approved. My point is you have no way to know how the items are prepared so If I were you...I'd do the whole 30 after vacation.

I did a Whole30 a few months ago, and while I think it's amazing that you want to try at Disney; I do think it's likely it will not be as beneficial as if you were able to be in more control of your food. It's just hard to go out to eat and do Whole30 (though of course not impossible). It's absolutely up to you though - you know the rules, so stick with the basics and see how you do. I personally would probably try to plan it after my vacation, as recommended in the book, just because it's easier, but really - what's the worst that can happen? You eat healthier than you typically would on vacation!! That's a win

 

[thepicklebee]

I think that you can approach it as eating more paleo, but there are too many unknowns to think you will be eating whole 30 compliant.

You cannot eat anything prepared with canola or peanut oil, and as such can't eat anything cooked in vegetable oil blends - which is pretty much everything, everywhere.

 

[awalker1015]

I did Whole 30 last August before our October trip. Honestly I don't think I could have done it. Is be inclined to start it when you return, but ok also one who doesn't like a lot of restrictions while on vacation.

 

[TiffanyA]

I really agree with everyone who says to delay starting. Here's why:

I think in general, it's hard to do the more strict diets when you are not making your own food. I am keto at home - and cook almost everything I consume. At Disney I am not able to vet everything I put in my mouth like I would at home, though I follow some loose guidelines (that I've set for myself). You have to be more flexible when you aren't preparing your own food and can't obtain nutrition labels on everything. That's just the nature of the beast. No pun intended

My ultimate point:
With Whole30, the goal is to do the entire month clean. Trying to do it at Disney is basically setting yourself up for failure, unless you are willing to order groceries in and cook all your own food. It can be done, though that's not personally what I view as vacation.

 

[peg2001]

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. While it is true that you won't be able to control every ingredient while eating at Disney, you can still follow the plan as best as you are able. That will be loads better than just tossing your hands up in the air and eating whatever.

 

[Pennstate6411]

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. While it is true that you won't be able to control every ingredient while eating at Disney, you can still follow the plan as best as you are able. That will be loads better than just tossing your hands up in the air and eating whatever.

Not sure if you're familiar with Whole30 but their philosophy is either you are 100% on it or it doesn't count - yes even if you have done it for 27 of 30 days if you go out and oops they used vegetable oil on the grill where your meal was cooked and you ate some or you took a bite of a something and there was sugar in it -you START OVER-really very strict guidelines, borderline insane- it's an extremely hard challenge - if you can't control the ingredients you can't follow the plan.

I get what you are saying but Whole30 is not possible that you can follow it with best available. Paleo you can do best as possible - heck jack links beef jerky is paleoish for people. Weightwatchers is a stay on plan as best you are able , but unfortunately Whole30 guidelines are not as forgiving

 

[thepicklebee]

Not sure if you're familiar with Whole30 but their philosophy is either you are 100% on it or it doesn't count - yes even if you have done it for 27 of 30 days if you go out and oops they used vegetable oil on the grill where your meal was cooked and you ate some or you took a bite of a something and there was sugar in it -you START OVER-really very strict guidelines, borderline insane- it's an extremely hard challenge - if you can't control the ingredients you can't follow the plan.

I get what you are saying but Whole30 is not possible that you can follow it with best available. Paleo you can do best as possible - heck jack links beef jerky is paleoish for people. Weightwatchers is a stay on plan as best you are able , but unfortunately Whole30 guidelines are not as forgiving

Exactly this.

The point of Whole 30 is not to be a diet but to be a dramatic change to rid your body of food causing systemic inflammation and hidden intolerances. It's to completely reboot your gut. You cannot do this not knowing what you are eating.