Staying on Track
I know what you’re thinking, “If I’m going to be spending all this money to get into Disneyland, why do I care what I’m eating?” Well if you are trying to set certain goals for yourself or don’t want to mess up your progress, then I have some helpful tips for you!
When you are trying to “live fit” you don’t have to stay at home and do nothing. Your schedule doesn’t have to only consist of: gym, eat, sleep, repeat. You can still enjoy the fun things in life, you can do things that you want to do. Your life doesn’t have to be boring just because you want to start changing your diet.
I have had a Disneyland pass for many years now, and trust me it is hard to remain your healthy lifestyle being there. With popcorn and churro carts every turn you take, it’s hard to resist the urge to not buy some. Don’t even get me started with those jalapeno cheese pretzels, there wasn’t a single visit to Disneyland where I didn’t have one of those in my hands.
It’s so hard, trust me I know it is. But with these few helpful hints, I hope you can remember these whenever you go to an amusement park some day.
Bring in your own food
This is probably the easiest tip that I can give you. Not only are you controlling what you are eating but you are saving money as well. Food is not cheap at Disneyland nor any other amusement park for that matter. Since having a pass at the age of 14 (2009) I have seen some major price jumps in the products that Disney sells. From paying $3 for a churro then to now having to pay almost $5, it's ridiculous! Save your money on the food and use it to buy something else, like a Yoda backpack (something that has been at the top of my list of things to buy at Disneyland for years) or those cute pair of ears you’ve always wanted.
For bringing in your own food you can either go two ways; bring stuff that doesn’t perish or bring a cold pack to stick inside your backpack. You can pack protein bars, my favorite are Lara and Cliff bars, and another good one is trial mix. Instead of buying the typical run of the mill trail mix, try making your own. Add your favorite nuts and dried fruit and call it day. That way, like anything else you make at home, you know exactly what is going inside your body. Something that I’ve also packed is berries. They didn’t go bad sitting in my backpack, if anything they got juicer and more sweet.
One of my favorite things to bring in is protein waffles. I make these in the morning or the night before and they are the perfect treat to have. I tend to pack mine full of nutrients just so they keep me full for a longer time. They definitely aren’t your buttery Belgian waffle you can find at any good breakfast place, but at least they’re healthy for you!
Vegan Protein Waffles
1 cup oats (I use Coach’s Oats and blend them you to form a flour)
1 scoop protein powder (I use Amazing Grass Superfood Protein) 1 cup nut milk
1 tbsp almond butter
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp hemp seeds
A couple dashes cinnamon
Mix everything together, grease a waffle iron and cook until crispy and done. Once cooled place into baggies, and you’re all set to go!
If you’re bringing a cold pack, bring fresh fruit and veggies. You can bring fresh cut bell peppers which would go perfect with hummus to dip them in. Bring apples, squeeze some lemon on them so they don’t brown, as well as any citrus. The options are endless for you, don’t think just because you are going to an amusement park that you are forced into buying the junk food that they promote.
Drink a lot of water
As humans we do tend to forget to supply our bodies with the one thing that we are primarily made up of. Hell my sister has to set an alarm every day to remind herself to drink more water. You’re walking around all the day and the hot sun, your body needs to be hydrated constantly. One thing that I always bring with me is my Hydroflask, I know they can be a little pricey but they are worth it. You can bring it full of ice water and it’ll stay cold even when you fill it up with more water. Every food place will always give you free water cups as well. Drinking a lot of water will help you stay slimer as well, think about it. If you’re drinking a lot of water you are going to use the bathroom A LOT, which means you are flushing your body of toxins.
Ever felt that midday hunger when you know you’re not actually hungry you’re just eating because you are bored? I would like to say that I was never one of those people, but I was and can still be to this day. Drinking water will help you from not eating when your body isn’t hungry. Down a bottle of water and your body will be fine again. Now, I’m not saying skip every meal and just chug water instead, I’m saying when you know you are not hungry but your mind is starting to play tricks on you, drink water. If you’re stomach is growling, you know obviously eat. I’m just saying that if you know that you’re hungry out of pure boredom drink some H20.
Indulge in this
If you are having one of those crazy cravings for chocolate that you just can’t get rid of no matter how many cocoa roast almonds you shove in your mouth, I have a solution for you. In California Adventures they give out free chocolate all day every day at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. Yes I did say free, and yes there is someone standing in the front handing out one piece of chocolate to everyone that walks through the doors. Remember to have some sort of self control though, because it is way too easy to keep going back. But by giving you one piece, it can hit every craving that you have and you don’t feel bad for indulging in just one piece. During the seasons they even give up corresponding flavors to that time; October through November they give out pumpkin spice caramel chocolate, December and January peppermint bark, and February they give you chocolate covered strawberry. And the rest of the season is whatever else they decide on.
For my fellow Vegans
Now for all my vegans out there you’re probably thinking about what you can eat if you wanted to buy something. To my surprise I was honestly shocked by the options that they have. You can get vegan gumbo at the Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans square, even the famous Dole Whip is dairy free. If you’re feeling something fresh off the grill, check out The Bengal Barbecue for their veggie skewers. They go for $4 a piece so you might as well get 2 or maybe 3. On top of that, their popcorn and plain Mickey Mouse Pretzel is vegan. You can even look through some of the candy they offer and some are vegan as well.
The key for us vegans is to never be afraid to ask if it’s vegan. Who cares if that worker has heard it a million and one times, just ask. Never be afraid because you are helping the environment every time you eat. You are saving animal lives and doing something to help this Earth.
I really hope these tips have helped you!
Remember that you can indulge in sweets and fried food but every once in awhile. If you have certain goals, you have to set boundaries for yourself. Truly abs are made in the kitchen it’s as simple as that. What you put into your body is how your body is going to look on the outside. Give you body whole, real food and your body will thank you.
Have an amazing day or night wherever my friends are at! :)