FFGs Do Disney!
A FUTURE FORMER FAT GIRL WRITES: Dear Lisa,
Are there any pointers you can give about how we soon-to-be-Former-Fat-Girls can eat responsibly, choose wisely and avoid temptation at major theme park restaurants?
DEAR FUTURE FFG: A tough one! Believe me, I have done Disney, and was appalled at the lack of healthy choices. Then again, this was about 3 years ago, and things may have gotten better since. But here's the thing: The challenges at theme parks aren't all that different from the challenges you face any time you are traveling or otherwise spending an extended period of the day away from home. You are out of your routine. You are away from your own kitchen. You are not in control of the menu. So ... how do you have fun without blowing it? Here's my take:
--Know what you're getting into. Prepare your head for the environment you'll be facing ... and do a bit of research (don't go crazy, now), just to see what kind of healthy choices are available. Lots of unexpected places post menus on the Internet ... and while I can't attest to their accuracy, it isn't a bad idea to just see what you can find. For instance, check out this unofficial site on Disney. All you Disney experts out there--let us know if these menus are the real thing!
--Eat a healthy breakfast. I know, BORING! But the point is ... you know you're going to face all kind of gastronomic challenges during the day. So eat super-healthy at breakfast. Think whole grains, lean protein, lowfat dairy, and fruit (as in my favorite combination of Cheerios and Kashi Go Lean Crunch! cereal with skim milk and a side of sliced strawberries ... or a scrambled egg and whole wheat toast with strawberries ...). Whatever you do, DON'T SKIP breakfast thinking that you'll "bank" the calories for later. You will run out of steam quick and be making a beeline for the nearest funnel cake stand! (I speak from experience.)
--Make an indulgent decision. OK, so you KNOW you are entering the Magic Kingdom of Calorically Extravagant Cuisine. And hey--this is vacation, so you deserve to let loose a little. The key is, "a little." Tell yourself you can have ONE splurge (INO to have more!) and then decide how you are going to "spend" it. Is it the burger and fries at lunch, or a Ben & Jerry's for dessert? Or a double-fudge brownie from the Main Street Bake Shoppe? I know that I'm the type who wants something sweet--I can handle a grilled chicken sandwich (no mayo, half the bun) at lunch if I know I get to have a sugar cone later.
--Eat light otherwise. Most of these places have grilled chix, entree salads, etc on the menu. They may be outrageously priced, but what isn't?
--BYOSnacks. I believe in dining defensively. So I always carry a healthy food stash with me to help when my blood sugar bottoms out and the only thing in reach is a corn-dog kiosk (DANGER!). For instant energy, I love those mini boxes of raisins and airplane bags of peanuts (I always ask for two and keep one in my purse)--each is just a mouthful, enough to tide me over till I find some real food. 100 calorie packs are great, but make sure you choose ones with fiber in them (Wheat Thins, South Beach Wheat Crackers) to help keep you full. I also love these crunchy little All-Bran Snack Bites... they're cinnamony and good. I think a bag is 160 calories ... so it's a bit more substantial but full of fiber so you will stay full longer.
--Wear good walking shoes ... and use them. The thing about theme parks: There's a lot of walking, a lot of standing, a lot of screaming and laughing (which burns more calories than, say, meditating). So navigating the place is a workout in itself. Make sure you take any and all opportunity to be active during the day, and wear good shoes so your aching feet don't sabotage you. The fact is, you are probably going to be more active in a day at Disney than on a normal day at home (including your workout time). You may want to wear a pedometer to see how much ground you cover ... that might ease your mind if you start feeling guilty about that piece of fudge from Ye Ole Candy Shoppe on Main Street, USA.
--Forgive yourself. It's one day. Or three days ... in a whole lifetime. Know that you will be out of your element for the run of your time at the park, and that once it is over, you can go back to your FFG plan full-force. Remember, becoming an FFG is a JOURNEY. Disney, or Sea World, or Knotts Berry Farm, or Dollywood ... that's only a diversion, a pit-stop on the road to where you want to be. Don't let it take you off track permanently. YOU are the driver. YOU CAN get back into the race--and still win. (Where did these NASCAR allusions come from?)
I hope this helps! Go on the scariest rollercoaster for me!
Lisa D
Are there any pointers you can give about how we soon-to-be-Former-Fat-Girls can eat responsibly, choose wisely and avoid temptation at major theme park restaurants?
DEAR FUTURE FFG: A tough one! Believe me, I have done Disney, and was appalled at the lack of healthy choices. Then again, this was about 3 years ago, and things may have gotten better since. But here's the thing: The challenges at theme parks aren't all that different from the challenges you face any time you are traveling or otherwise spending an extended period of the day away from home. You are out of your routine. You are away from your own kitchen. You are not in control of the menu. So ... how do you have fun without blowing it? Here's my take:
--Know what you're getting into. Prepare your head for the environment you'll be facing ... and do a bit of research (don't go crazy, now), just to see what kind of healthy choices are available. Lots of unexpected places post menus on the Internet ... and while I can't attest to their accuracy, it isn't a bad idea to just see what you can find. For instance, check out this unofficial site on Disney. All you Disney experts out there--let us know if these menus are the real thing!
--Eat a healthy breakfast. I know, BORING! But the point is ... you know you're going to face all kind of gastronomic challenges during the day. So eat super-healthy at breakfast. Think whole grains, lean protein, lowfat dairy, and fruit (as in my favorite combination of Cheerios and Kashi Go Lean Crunch! cereal with skim milk and a side of sliced strawberries ... or a scrambled egg and whole wheat toast with strawberries ...). Whatever you do, DON'T SKIP breakfast thinking that you'll "bank" the calories for later. You will run out of steam quick and be making a beeline for the nearest funnel cake stand! (I speak from experience.)
--Make an indulgent decision. OK, so you KNOW you are entering the Magic Kingdom of Calorically Extravagant Cuisine. And hey--this is vacation, so you deserve to let loose a little. The key is, "a little." Tell yourself you can have ONE splurge (INO to have more!) and then decide how you are going to "spend" it. Is it the burger and fries at lunch, or a Ben & Jerry's for dessert? Or a double-fudge brownie from the Main Street Bake Shoppe? I know that I'm the type who wants something sweet--I can handle a grilled chicken sandwich (no mayo, half the bun) at lunch if I know I get to have a sugar cone later.
--Eat light otherwise. Most of these places have grilled chix, entree salads, etc on the menu. They may be outrageously priced, but what isn't?
--BYOSnacks. I believe in dining defensively. So I always carry a healthy food stash with me to help when my blood sugar bottoms out and the only thing in reach is a corn-dog kiosk (DANGER!). For instant energy, I love those mini boxes of raisins and airplane bags of peanuts (I always ask for two and keep one in my purse)--each is just a mouthful, enough to tide me over till I find some real food. 100 calorie packs are great, but make sure you choose ones with fiber in them (Wheat Thins, South Beach Wheat Crackers) to help keep you full. I also love these crunchy little All-Bran Snack Bites... they're cinnamony and good. I think a bag is 160 calories ... so it's a bit more substantial but full of fiber so you will stay full longer.
--Wear good walking shoes ... and use them. The thing about theme parks: There's a lot of walking, a lot of standing, a lot of screaming and laughing (which burns more calories than, say, meditating). So navigating the place is a workout in itself. Make sure you take any and all opportunity to be active during the day, and wear good shoes so your aching feet don't sabotage you. The fact is, you are probably going to be more active in a day at Disney than on a normal day at home (including your workout time). You may want to wear a pedometer to see how much ground you cover ... that might ease your mind if you start feeling guilty about that piece of fudge from Ye Ole Candy Shoppe on Main Street, USA.
--Forgive yourself. It's one day. Or three days ... in a whole lifetime. Know that you will be out of your element for the run of your time at the park, and that once it is over, you can go back to your FFG plan full-force. Remember, becoming an FFG is a JOURNEY. Disney, or Sea World, or Knotts Berry Farm, or Dollywood ... that's only a diversion, a pit-stop on the road to where you want to be. Don't let it take you off track permanently. YOU are the driver. YOU CAN get back into the race--and still win. (Where did these NASCAR allusions come from?)
I hope this helps! Go on the scariest rollercoaster for me!
Lisa D
posted by Lisa Delaney at
8:41 AM
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