Feeling a little “off” after enjoying allllll the holiday treats?? Here are some healthy (well…healthier) restaurants you can head to in Disney World to balance out all those cookies!
It’s no secret, there are plenty of indulgent eats around Disney World. But if the Cookie Stroll has turned into a way of life and it’s time for something a little more nutritious, fear not — there are tons of great healthy options too!
If you’re on the hunt for a healthy meal in Disney World, we have some good news — just about every restaurant will have at least one lighter option, even if it is just a salad! But if you’re craving something healthy(ish) that’s a little more unique, you might be wondering where you can go to get hooked up with a delicious, nutritious meal.
And that’s where we come in! These are our favorite places in Disney World to head to for a (relatively) healthy meal!
1. Sunshine Seasons
Located in The Land Pavilion in EPCOT, Sunshine Seasons checks several boxes in the healthy department.
First, there’s a wide variety of healthy menu items to choose from, like the Power Salad, Oak-Grilled Rotisserie Chicken, and Oak-Grilled Verlasso Salmon.
And as an added bonus, many of the dishes use fresh produce from Living with the Land right next door!
If you’re looking for a variety of lighter menu items to choose from, Sunshine Seasons is worth checking out!
Want something not-so-healthy at Sunshine Seasons? Check out this triple-decker pulled pork sandwich!
2. Garden Grill
For our next pick, we’re heading just a few steps away to Garden Grill Restaurant! This location serves all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style meals, so let’s start off with a disclaimer that you will have to show restraint or tap out if you want to stick with a lighter meal (but at least it IS relatively healthy, fresh foods!).
Even though the portions are large (and by that, we mean endless!) most of the dishes definitely skew on the healthier side. Guests all receive the “Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast,” which includes selections like a fresh garden salad, all-natural sliced turkey breast, seasonal vegetables, grilled beef with chimichurri, and more.
And this location also uses fresh produce from Living with the Land — which you can peek out at as the restaurant slowly rotates during your meal!
While dining at Garden Grill still requires some portion control, you can definitely make this a healthier meal by opting for the lighter options from the Harvest Feast!
Check out our most recent review from Garden Grill!
3. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Located in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe offers a menu that differs from what many people think of as “standard quick service” options.
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, the Chicken Rice Bowl, Veggie Rice Bowl, and Southwest Salad are all solid options that pack in fresh vegetables and protein.
Since the toppings bar is currently still unavailable, you can customize your meal on Mobile Order to request extra veggies on the side like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and more.
If you’re on the hunt for a quick service meal in Magic Kingdom that isn’t a complete diet-ruiner, check out the menu at Pecos Bill!
Read more about the Chicken Rice Bowl from Pecos Bill!
4. Prince Eric’s Village Market
A relatively hidden gem, Prince Eric’s Village Market is tucked back in Fantasyland on the backside of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. While it hasn’t reopened yet following the park closure, this was one of our go-to stops for a quick, healthy snack in Magic Kingdom!
Prince Eric’s regularly had several healthy grab-and-go snacks, like grapes and pickles. Ok…we know: not that earth-shaking, right? BUT, they do have specials periodically that are very good and quite healthy.
For instance, we found The Little Mermaid-themed snacks pop up here — some of which were on the healthier side! For example, the chilled Dinglehopper Noodles made for a light and refreshing snack that could have easily made for a full meal for those with a smaller appetite!
We’re definitely keeping a close eye out for this snack spot to reopen so we can hopefully be reunited with some fun themed snacks!
We ranked the lands of Magic Kingdom based on their snacks!
5. Satu’li Canteen
Many guests — including some members of our team — consider Satu’li Canteen to be one of their favorite quick service restaurants in all of Disney World. But this Animal Kingdom eatery doesn’t just specialize in taste. You can also get a pretty healthy meal here!
And as much as we love the Cheeseburger Pods, if eating healthy is your goal, the customizable bowls will probably be your best bet!
With bowls, guests are able to select their protein, base, and sauce to create their own custom meal. Of course, there are a number of potential creations, but if you’re looking for something super nutritious, you could opt for the wood-grilled chicken, mixed whole grain & rice, and charred green onion vinaigrette, for example!
With all the possible combinations, Satu’li Canteen gives guests the option to create a nutritious meal that’s tailored to their preferences and dietary needs!
Here’s how you can make your own Cheeseburger Pods at home!
6. Harambe Fruit Market
If you’re looking for a healthy snack on the go, Harambe Fruit Market is a great option in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Here, you’ll find a selection of fresh fruit, Mini Babybel Snack Cheese, and the super underrated corn on the cob to satisfy your snacking needs!
While this tends to be more of a snack spot than a place to go for a full meal, it’s a solid place to stop if you need something lighter to hold you over before your dinner reservation!
We ranked the lands of Disney’s Animal Kingdom based on their snacks!
7. Yak and Yeti Restaurant
Speaking of dinner reservations, Yak and Yeti Restaurant is a table service location in Animal Kingdom that offers some solid options for health-conscious diners!
Now, there are definitely some not-so-healthy options here as well (cough…all the fried food…cough), so you’ll need to tread lightly when browsing the menu — Wok-Fried Green Beans are a real treat, but they’re definitely not as healthy as fresh veggies!
But amid the carb-heavy and fried fare, there are several unique and delicious salads available, as well as lighter entrees like the Roasted Vegetable Bowl and Miso Salmon!
So, while it might take some serious self-control to resist the more indulgent menu items, there are several still delicious ways to eat healthy at Yak and Yeti!
We tried the new menu items at Yak and Yeti!
8. Rosie’s All-American Cafe
Located on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Rosie’s All-American Cafe has had a serious glow-up recently!
From hearty, protein-rich breakfast options like the Mexican Corn Chilaquiles and Eggs…
…to incredible plant-based options like the Toasted “Lobster” Roll, we’ve been blown away by our recent trips to this quick-service spot!
And don’t forget one of our all fav heavy burger alternatives — the Fried Green Tomato sandwich! This IS fried, but it’s way lighter and has a healthy edge over all the chicken nuggs and pizza in the area!
This restaurant has quickly moved its way up our list of spots to grab a meal that won’t leave us dragging around the park the rest of the afternoon!
Here are four Disney World restaurants that have redeemed themselves this year!
9. The Hollywood Brown Derby
Much like Yak and Yeti, there are definitely some super-rich and calorie-dense options at The Hollywood Brown Derby. But there are some really good healthier choices as well!
Of course, there’s the iconic Cobb Salad. Which, to be fair, probably isn’t the healthiest salad, since it is loaded with incredible toppings like bacon, egg, bleu cheese, dressing, etc. But hey, it has protein, fiber, and some vitamins, so that’s healthy by vacation standards, right?? It’s not french fries!
And in addition to the famous Cobb Salad, you could snag the Shrimp Cocktail for some protein, or the Scottish Salmon for a lighter entree!
Even if you aren’t so concerned about the nutrition facts on your meal, we would still recommend that Cobb Salad as a Disney World rite of passage! SO good!
We recently stopped by The Hollywood Brown Derby for a meal — check out our full review here!
10. Earl of Sandwich
Our last pick takes us over to Disney Springs — Earl of Sandwich, to be exact! This location is, unsurprisingly, known for its sandwiches, available in a variety of hot and cold combinations.
And depending on the diet you’re looking to stick to, there are several options here that might work for you! The Caprese is light and packs both veggies and protein. The Chipotle Chicken Avocado is another popular option that’s (relatively) healthy.
Plus, Earl of Sandwich also offers a variety of unique salads and soups if you’d prefer to bypass the sandwich menu altogether! The salads here are substantial and pretty fantastic.
And as far as Disney World meals go, Earl of Sandwich offers relatively affordable options, which is another added benefit of this Disney Springs spot!
In less-healthy news, we tried the Pepperoni Pizza Bread at Earl of Sandwich!
We’re all about treating ourselves when we’re on vacation. But we can definitely relate to that “OMG, I need to eat a vegetable RIGHT NOW,” feeling, as well! When our bodies are screaming for nutrition, these are our favorite go-to spots with healthier menu items that still get our taste buds dancing. Just don’t forget to save room for a Dole Whip after dinner!
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What Disney World restaurant is your go-to for a healthy meal? Let us know in the comments!
The post 10 Healthy-ish Places to Eat in Disney World (After You Eat ALL the Holiday Cookies)! first appeared on the disney food blog.