Can you eat healthy at amusement parks? Yes you can!
Today, I’ve invited Leslie, from Moments of Magic Travel to help answer some of your Disney dining questions.
As the weather warms up, you may be on your way to a vacation at the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Fortunately, eating healthy at Walt Disney World Resorts and theme parks is easier than you might think!
Over the years, Disney has gone to great lengths to expand its dining options, and the availability of healthy choices has become a central feature of its restaurants. Today, we have rounded up several of our best tips and tricks for healthy dining options to share with you!
MOMables is here to fill your kid’s lunch boxes with exciting and nutritious meals even when you are traveling to magical lands! We have many subscribers who use our meal ideas when they travel. To join us, just click here! You can also sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter packed with recipes!
1. Look for the Mickey Check Program—Part of the Disney Magic of Healthy Living Initiative, the Mickey Check Symbol makes it easy to identify nutritious meal options. The goal of the program is to offer children appropriate portions alongside healthy food selections. Recent offerings from Be Our Guest Restaurant include whole-grain macaroni with marinara and seasonal vegetables, seared Mahi Mahi with finger salad and peach applesauce, as well as a carved turkey sandwich on multigrain bread with sweet potato wedges. Meals in the Mickey Check Program are served with low-fat milk or water.
2. Go Vegetarian—The number of vegetarian options at Disney Resorts and theme parks has soared in the past decade, and many of them have been created by world-class chefs. Consider these amazing options straight from the menus of your favorite Disney restaurant: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with Tomato-Fennel Broth; Seared Tofu with Zucchini and Eggplant Ratatouille; Roasted Mushrooms, Lentils, and Sun-Dried Tomato Purée; and Butternut Squash Soup! With options like these, we guarantee that just because you may be missing the meat, you won’t be missing amazing flavors!
3. If You Eat Gluten-Free—I have to hand it to Disney for being so very accommodating with gluten allergies. When making your reservation, let them know how many people in your party will be eating gluten-free. Otherwise, when dining in a restaurant or dining hall, let them know that you’ll need gluten-free options. They have them!
4. Live with the Land—At Garden Grill Restaurant, you will find dinner platters that include turkey and sustainable fish alongside a variety of vegetables such as cucumbers, Swiss chard, eggplant, and sweet potatoes that are grown on site by horticulturalists from “Living with the Land”!
5. Enjoy a Dairy-Free Dessert—Several locations throughout Walt Disney World now offer amazing dairy-free (and even gluten-free) dining options. You can enjoy a Rice Dream or Tofutti frozen snack or a gluten-free brownie alongside a cup of soy milk!
6. Skip the Soda—It goes without saying, but it’s always important to stay hydrated. While you are touring the parks, you will need to be mindful of your fluid intake—especially during the hot summer months. Try to avoid replenishing your system with sugary sodas, and opt for the purity of water. Not only will this save you money (water is always free at any Quick Service location throughout the parks), but it will also ensure that you stay hydrated without unnecessary sugar or chemicals.
7. Snack Wisely—Snacks provide a great distraction while you stand in the queue for your next attraction and can help halt a toddler meltdown. Some of our favorite snack suggestions are hummus packs, nuts, granola, dried fruit, and sliced apples. If you forget to bring your snack along, don’t worry, many of our favorite suggestions are available throughout the parks!
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Leslie is a mom to six amazing children and the owner of Moments of Magic Travel—a complimentary Disney Travel Agency specializing in the Walt Disney Theme Parks and Disney Cruise Line. To learn more about our services, call 1-888-50MOUSE, ext. 1, visit us here.
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