Eating healthy at Walt Disney World can be a challenge. There are yummy not-so-healthy temptations around every corner, especially at the quick service restaurants. But, if you are determined to try to make some healthier choices, it is possible.
If you are planning on eating some of your meals at Walt Disney Word quick service restaurants, there are some simple things you can do to eat a little healthier.
1. Choose water instead of soda. Did you know that you can get free water at any quick service restaurant that sells fountain drinks? Well, you can! So choose water sometimes instead of a sugary soda.
2. Share an entree with someone in your group. Many of the restaurant portions are very big, even at the quick service locations, and sometimes we end up eating more than we really need to eat. So, every once in a while, order an entree or side and share it with a loved one.
3. Order off of the kids menu. Did you know that adults can order off of the kids menu? They sure can! The kids portions are usually smaller and/or come with healthier sides, like grapes or carrot sticks. So order off of the kids menu every now and then.
Photo courtesy of Rolling With the Magic
4. Choose items from the “Grab and Go” cases at your resort food court. The Grab and Go cases at the hotel resort food courts are a great way to have a healthier small meal or snack. They typically carry fruit cups, yogurt, carrot sticks, hummus, milk, and other items that are somewhat healthier than the other food court offerings.
5. Get to know the quick service menus before you go. Did you know that you can see what is available at every Walt Disney World restaurant online? The official Walt Disney World website has complete menus for the restaurants in the parks and resorts. Before your trip, browse through the menus and make note of some of the healthier options at the quick service restaurants and then bring those notes with you on your trip. This may take you a little time, but it could save you from making a hasty, unhealthy decision when you are starving while waiting in line to order.
***Please note: If you are buying the Disney Dining Plan, some of these tips may benefit your waistline, but not your wallet. Do what is right for you.***
Do you have any tips for eating healthier at Walt Disney World quick service restaurants?
Rosanne @ The Disney Point says
February 5, 2015 at 5:32 pmI have been ordering off the kids menu for years at Walt Disney World! I never have a huge appetite at Disney because of the heat. Kids meals keep me sustained without making me feel over full and bloated. It’s a great tip and I totally agree with your post!
Cindy Howell says
February 8, 2015 at 10:53 amI never thought to order off the kids’ menu on our last trip, but I definitely will consider it next time!
Lin @ DisneyMamas says
February 1, 2015 at 12:58 amWe are big meal sharers in my family. It works really well because we can stretch all of our dining plan credits farther, and avoid overeating.
Cindy Howell says
February 1, 2015 at 3:25 pmYou almost have to share at WDW. The portions are always so big!
Jenny B @ Honey and Birch says
January 31, 2015 at 9:05 pmGreat tips! Thank you for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
Cindy Howell says
February 1, 2015 at 3:25 pmThank you for pinning my post!
mary says
January 30, 2015 at 4:52 pmI love eating off the kids menus at quick service restaurants. They are the perfect portion sizes. I have done this even when I have been by myself and no one has ever questioned me. I have also asked for just a hamburger with no sides. And they have always accommodated me.
Cindy Howell says
February 1, 2015 at 3:26 pmPlus, the kids meals often come with healthier sides, like grapes or carrot sticks.
kareen liez says
January 30, 2015 at 3:38 amJust last night, I had a talk with hubby that we will go to Disneyland this year. And I saw this post of yours from Blogging Brags Pinterest Party. Thanks for the tips
Cindy Howell says
February 1, 2015 at 3:27 pmI would love to go to Disneyland some day! I hope you make the trip. 🙂
Lee Beatens says
January 26, 2015 at 10:31 pmChecking things out online first is vital, especially if you have special dietary needs. You can save a lot of time!
Cindy Howell says
January 28, 2015 at 1:54 pmI do it for the picky eaters in my family too!
Sheila @ BrainPowerBoy says
January 24, 2015 at 11:47 amGreat article. To be honest, even with all the walking I come back a slight bit heavier than when I left LOL The desserts get me every time. We do the dining plan so my only tip is to ask at restaurants for what you would like to eat. I have asked for them to make things that were not on the menu and they were happy to do so (when they could.) The chefs will certainly work with someone who has food allergies. They will sometimes make things for people without allergies as well.
We Only get water when we are there. I don’t actually care for the water in Florida so we go with bottled as part of our plan.
Cindy Howell says
January 24, 2015 at 11:50 amThey are extremely accommodating. I agree about the desserts 100%!
Kimberly says
January 22, 2015 at 1:23 pmI almost always split an entrée at the quick service restaurants. The portions at WDW are just too big for me. Great tips!
Cindy Howell says
January 22, 2015 at 2:12 pmThey sure are! And it’s not like we can easy get the leftovers to go, like we can at home.
Tim says
January 22, 2015 at 11:14 amMy family loves the first tip – getting water at the counter service locations. It’s great on a hot summer/early fall day. We sit and drink two cups each before going up and getting a third cup to put into our water bottles and head back into the parks.
Cindy Howell says
January 22, 2015 at 2:13 pmThis is actually one tip I just learned about. We will definitely be taking advantage of it on our next trip!
Julie B says
January 22, 2015 at 10:57 amGreat ideas! We almost always share dishes in our family too. Sometimes we just get two different platters and share between the five of us and it’s a nice way to get some variety as well.
Cindy Howell says
January 22, 2015 at 2:14 pmThat’s a great idea. Then everyone gets to try several dishes!
Hayden says
January 22, 2015 at 8:45 amGreat tips—I order from the kids menu sometimes and I love how Disney offers complimentary water for guests.
Cindy Howell says
January 22, 2015 at 2:15 pmSome of the items on the kids menu look really good!
The Disney Chef says
January 22, 2015 at 8:29 amWhen I found out I can get free water, free ICE water, at any quickserve… It changed my life. I went from trying to be a camel all day to just grabbing cups of ice and cups of water anytime I passed a cart.
Cindy Howell says
January 22, 2015 at 2:16 pmI can’t wait to take advantage of the free ice water on our next trip. 🙂