HEALTHY QS salads?

[bhg469]

For a few years I made a very big change in what I eat due to having type 2 diabetes. Since I made the conscious effort to limit my sugar/carbohydrate intake, my life has gotten significantly better. A year ago we moved to Orlando and did get APs mainly for something to do in the evenings besides going to a bar or restaurant.

We have noticed one thing which seems to blow my mind.. There are no truly healthy salads at QS service locations. The vast majority of them have fried chicken or potatoes and tons of carbs. Satu'li canteen seems to be the only place that has that sort of option. Even the "greek salad" (which is universally the same at most restaurants across the country) at cosmic rays, which was at one point a baked chicken, is now replaced with fried chicken strips..

Sunday we went to Busch gardens and were prepared to not have an substantial food options.. We were wrong... Good salads with pretty decent proteins. WDW needs to step up dramatically in this area..

 

[Hockey89]

For a few years I made a very big change in what I eat due to having type 2 diabetes. Since I made the conscious effort to limit my sugar/carbohydrate intake, my life has gotten significantly better. A year ago we moved to Orlando and did get APs mainly for something to do in the evenings besides going to a bar or restaurant.

We have noticed one thing which seems to blow my mind.. There are no truly healthy salads at QS service locations. The vast majority of them have fried chicken or potatoes and tons of carbs. Satu'li canteen seems to be the only place that has that sort of option. Even the "greek salad" (which is universally the same at most restaurants across the country) at cosmic rays, which was at one point a baked chicken, is now replaced with fried chicken strips..

Sunday we went to Busch gardens and were prepared to not have an substantial food options.. We were wrong... Good salads with pretty decent proteins. WDW needs to step up dramatically in this area..

It's funny because many of the salads they serve at restaurants everywhere, depending on how you handle them, are pretty unhealthy. I'm a grilled shrimp and Greek salad with no dressing guy....

 

[bhg469]

It's funny because many of the salads they serve at restaurants everywhere, depending on how you handle them, are pretty unhealthy. I'm a grilled shrimp and Greek salad with no dressing guy....

My concern is that in a place like Homecomin, I fully expect a truckload of cornbread and fried chicken on a salad. A salad in general should not have a deep fried protein by default.

 

[Hockey89]

My concern is that in a place like Homecomin, I fully expect a truckload of cornbread and fried chicken on a salad. A salad in general should not have a deep fried protein by default.

I have no interest in Homecomin.... The portions are disgustingly large and one plate is a few days worth of calories... I will have to admit the fried chicken is pretty good but I'd never go back...

 

[bhg469]

I have no interest in Homecomin.... The portions are disgustingly large and one plate is a few days worth of calories... I will have to admit the fried chicken is pretty good but I'd never go back...

We go occasionally for the drinks and the shrimp cocktail is pretty great sans crackers. Last time we were there the guy who actually runs it as well as splitsville was sitting with us at the bar. He came in with his brother and we had space to move over to make room, had no idea they guy ran the place. We got to talking about our home town and he was familiar with it next thing you know he's buying us a round and inquiring from my wife about buying a walk in cooler from her company!

 

[Hockey89]

We go occasionally for the drinks and the shrimp cocktail is pretty great sans crackers. Last time we were there the guy who actually runs it as well as splitsville was sitting with us at the bar. He came in with his brother and we had space to move over to make room, had no idea they guy ran the place. We got to talking about our home town and he was familiar with it next thing you know he's buying us a round and inquiring from my wife about buying a walk in cooler from her company!

Very cool!

 

[Simba's Mom]

You mentioned fried chicken on salads. Every time I've asked for them to omit the meat on the salad, it's been done (and at a savings in cost). Are the "power salads" considered unhealthy? I've never had one.
I miss the Entree salad at Liberty Tree Tavern. I used to love it without the chicken. And removing the chicken always saved me $6!

 

[bhg469]

You mentioned fried chicken on salads. Every time I've asked for them to omit the meat on the salad, it's been done (and at a savings in cost). Are the "power salads" considered unhealthy? I've never had one.
I miss the Entree salad at Liberty Tree Tavern. I used to love it without the chicken. And removing the chicken always saved me $6!

The protein is pretty important to me so omitting it just leaves a void and I need to supplement it somewhere. The power salads are typically loaded with quinoa and or edamame. Both are pretty high in carbohydrates and cause an insulin spike in me. I know I'm not typical because of how my body reacts to them. There are just not many options for a simple salad with grilled chicken..

 

[Baldy]

What about this one from Regal Eagle in EPCOT?

 

[Baldy]

Or this one at Backlot (without the corn relish) maybe? You’ve peaked my interest. I’m on the hunt for QS salad options.

 

[Baldy]

Harambe market has salad with or without chicken (skip the pita).

 

[Baldy]

I hope this is helpful. If not, feel free to stop me. Lol
Edit: Too late to stop me. That’s all I found.
I hope you find food that meets your needs. At table service restaurants, when I used to eat meat, I was always given the option to substitute grilled chicken for the battered/fried stuff.

 

[bhg469]

What about this one from Regal Eagle in EPCOT?

Regal eagle is out due to the fruit but the Harambe market one looks great minus the pitas of course! So animal kingdom 2 everywhere else 0!
One thing I truly loved about Disneyland is a stand called Bengal BBQ. It was just skewers of grilled meat and veggies. Super basic but perfect for someone like me!

Lol edit!! That's 3 for animal kingdom!! That's funny because we are rarely there for meals. I guess we need to go more!

 

[Baldy]

Regal eagle is out due to the fruit but the Harambe market one looks great minus the pitas of course! So animal kingdom 2 everywhere else 0!
One thing I truly loved about Disneyland is a stand called Bengal BBQ. It was just skewers of grilled meat and veggies. Super basic but perfect for someone like me!

Lol edit!! That's 3 for animal kingdom!! That's funny because we are rarely there for meals. I guess we need to go more!

At Hollywood Studios - Catalina Eddie’s has a chicken Caesar, but I’m not sure how filling it would be without the croutons.

 

[bhg469]

At Hollywood Studios - Catalina Eddie’s has a chicken Caesar, but I’m not sure how filling it would be without the croutons.

That's pretty good too! Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[NiarrNDisney]

In the past I feel there were way more options and there was a bit of an ability to customize to ones liking. Personally I would like to see the "Fresh Produce Markets" around the parks (Anaheim Produce, Harambe Fruit Market, etc) carry salads so they would be easier to locate for those in search.

Here are some other QS with healthier salad options
Epcot - Katsura Grill (Grilled Chicken Salad), Sunshine Season (Chef Dee's Greek Salad, Power Salad with/out Chicken)
DHS - ABC Commissary (Mediterranean Salad with/out Seared Chicken), Backlot Express (Southwest Salad)
DAK - Flame Tree BBQ (Smokehouse Chicken Salad)
DS- Earl of Sandwich (Full and varied salad menu), Pepe (Campera, Ensalada Verde), Pizza Ponte (Misticanza)

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Let's not single out Disney on this one.
I doubt the BG salad was actually that healthy.
The healthy salad is the one you make with fresh ingredients at home and no dressing...

 

[bhg469]

Let's not single out Disney on this one.
I doubt the BG salad was actually that healthy.
The healthy salad is the one you make with fresh ingredients at home and no dressing...

Fresh lettuce cucumber and tomatoes.. They were absolutely fresh tasting.. I've found that many dressings are bad but ones that use no sugar are best.