Healthy Holiday Meals at Walt Disney World
A Disney vacation, especially around the holidays, is made of magic, family time, and indulgent foods that are exclusive to the Walt Disney World Resort. Hot chocolate with whipped cream topping, richly frosted cupcakes, and cocktails loaded with sweetness should be indulged in during your holiday trip. Suddenly you wake up on the fourth day of your vacation feeling a little too full and the thought of another rich, sweet-filled meal has you clocking how long on the treadmill you’ll need to spend once you return home. Have no fear; I’m here to detail some of the lighter (and still delicious) food options you can find in each park!
Animal Kingdom
In the newly opened world of Pandora, you can stop into Satu’li Canteen. This restaurant boasts create your own bowls, where you can select from a slew of options like whole grain or veggies, and top it with proteins like chicken and steak. They even have vegetarian options!
If you’re with a large group and you can’t decide upon which bowl you want that Satu’li has to offer, I recommend the Satu’li Sampler Platter. You get to choose 4 proteins, sample each of the bases, and the whole thing comes with a sampling of each of their sauces. For $74.99, this platter can easily feed a family of 4 and is sure to satisfy everyone’s stomachs and taste buds.
Hollywood Studios
My favorite healthy meal at Hollywood Studios is the Galactic Chicken Salad from Backlot Express. This is a super light option with features that include black beans, avocado, wontons, and grilled chicken over a bed of greens.
So you’ve had a healthy lunch at Hollywood Studios and the pre-dinner huger pangs are beginning. It might be tempting to grab one of those gingerbread treats I detailed in my Gingerbread article, and there wouldn’t be anything wrong with that! But since this article is focused on lighter options, you can satisfy your hunger until dinner at the Anaheim Produce cart located on Sunset Boulevard. You’ll find fresh fruit, hummus cups, and other waistline friendly snacks here.
Epcot
Epcot’s World Showcase is famous for its eclectic gathering of international foods and drinks. While you’re visiting Epcot make sure to sample your way around the world at least once- you’ll be disappointed if you go home without a pretzel from Germany or some Norwegian Schoolbread! If your travel party is still raring to go for the cuisines of the world, you can satisfy everyone by stopping at Katsura Grill in Japan. Their fish is always fresh here, and you can pick up a quick lunch or dinner of sushi and nigiri pieces that is light and always delicious!
Sushi not your thing? Stop by La Cantina de San Angel and try the Ensalada Mexicana. This is a great salad complete with black beans, corn, and a mixture of greens. The olive oil and limejuice dressing is the perfect compliment to this vegetarian dish!
Magic Kingdom
In my opinion, it is most difficult to find healthy options at Magic Kingdom that are not bland. If you know where to look, you can leave Magic Kingdom feeling satisfied but not weighed down by the park’s usual lineup of food offerings. Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Café in Frontierland! The fajita platter has chicken, barbacoa beef, rice, and flour tortillas. Pack some veggies into your meal by stopping by the complimentary toppings bar where you can choose from fresh salsas and guacamole. I recommend picking up a side of tortilla chips and loading up on the toppings from the toppings bar!
I’m from New York, so pizza is always a go-to favorite meal of mine. There isn’t anything better to refuel than a hot fresh slice! While I don’t think of pizza when I think of light meals, I do dream of the caprese flatbread from Pinocchio’s Village Haus in Fantasyland. This quick serve restaurant serves the flatbread with fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, tomatoes, and a tangy balsamic glaze. It’s the perfect lunch option that will leave you both full and satisfied!
What’s your favorite healthy meal option in the parks? Let me know in the comments!
Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer/musician thrilled to be bringing you all things Disney! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!