Enjoying a Healthy Lifestyle at Universal Orlando

     The growing trend towards keeping up a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever.  With so many people trying to stay fit, and resist carbs and sugar, a trip to a theme park may seriously derail your healthy goals.  But not to fear, at Universal Orlando, it's actually not difficult at all to maintain your preferred diet, whether you're going gluten free, keto or even vegan.  I'm here to tell you that staying on track at Universal Orlando is easier than you might think!  

Getting in Your Steps

     There is one obvious aspect of a Universal Orlando vacation.  You will walk a lot!  The average theme park guest walks between 5 and 12 miles per day.  While it may not always be heart-pumping cardio, you will burn lots of calories while you tour the parks.

     If you need a little more cardio or steps, there are beautifully landscaped walkways at Universal Orlando which connect the three theme parks, (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Water Park) onsite resorts and CityWalk.  Unlike Walt Disney World, all of the five current onsite hotels (a sixth is opening in July 2018) are walking distance to the parks and CityWalk, the dining and entertainment area just outside the parks' entrances.  

Tropical landscaping along a walking pathway

These paths are perfect for a run, leisurely jog or peaceful walk.  The concierge at each onsite resort have resort maps which detail three running routes; a .45, 1.3 and 3 mile loop.  However, you need not be an onsite guest or even purchase a theme park ticket to make use of these paths.  The pathways are open for anyone to enjoy.   To see a video of one of the walking paths, click here.

Bringing Healthy Snacks

     What many people don't realize, is that it is okay to bring your own food into the theme parks.  While hard sided coolers are discouraged (soft-sided coolers are allowed for guests with needs like baby formula or medications), guests are allowed to carry in healthy snacks, nuts, fruit and even sandwiches in an insulated bag. By bringing healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day, you'll control your hunger and be less likely to ruin your healthy plan by indulging in high fat, high carb foods.

Making Healthy Choices

     While most people associate theme park food with items such as French Fries, greasy burgers, hot dogs and cotton candy, there is a surprising variety of healthy items to enjoy.  One only needs to use a little common sense to avoid the bad and choose the good.  All full-service restaurants at Universal Orlando offer gluten-free and vegan options.  If you have any special concerns, speak to a member of the restaurant staff.  Most people find that they are very helpful in accommodating dietary needs.

Chicken Fajitas at Antojitos in CityWalk

     Universal CityWalk is a dining and entertainment complex through which all guests must pass on their way in and out of the theme parks (unless staying at an onsite hotel).  There is a great variety of restaurants from which to choose for healthy dining.  Your choices include fresh salads and fresh vegetable dishes at almost every establishment in the parks and at CityWalk restaurants such as Bubba Gump's, Antojitos Mexican Restaurant, Vivo Italian and Emeril's for fine dining.  

Antojitos Shrimp Tacos

     If you prefer casual dining, there are quite a few options.  Fresh deli sandwiches are available at Bread Box.  This "quick service" restaurant offers a variety of large fresh sandwiches on all types of breads with portions so big they're easy to split with someone.  When ordering, tell them to keep the fries but order soup instead.   There are also a couple of good salad choices on the menu.  If you like Asian cuisine, low fat and low carb sushi entrees can be found at Fusion Bistro Sushi and Sake Bar. 

Tuna seaweed bowl from Fusion Bistro

     At the theme parks, fresh fruit including fruit cups, apples and oranges are available at many snack stands.  Popcorn is also sold at many stands and is a good alternative to chips or fries.  

     If you really need a burger, try Richter's Burger at Universal Studios or or Burger Digs in Islands of Adventure.  These have a great "fixins" bars so you can pile it high with extra vegetables.  There are other choices such as the grilled chicken sandwich or the veggie garden burger.

Fixing' Bar at Burger Digs in the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure

     For a healthy salad, you'll find choices at casual stops such as Lisa's Teahouse of Horror in Fast Food Boulevard at Universal Studios.  At Islands of Adventure, you can get a delicious rotisserie chicken salad at Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park. Thunder Falls also serves chicken wraps with beans instead of fries and also offer a rotisserie chicken dinner with portions large enough to share.  The Harry Potter restaurants also offer grilled and rotisserie chicken options with vegetables.

Thunder Falls Terrace Chicken Wrap with rice and black beans

     Caesar salads are available as a choice at Cafe 4 in Islands of Adventure as well as many other quick service restaurants. Mythos Restaurant in The Lost Continent, (voted several times as the favorite theme park restaurant in the world) and Lombard's at Universal Studios both have many delicious healthy options including vegan and vegetarian options. 

Mythos Swordfish

Mythos Vegan Pad Thai

Sharing a Sweet Treat

      Many guests who visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando can't wait to order a Butterbeer. This iconic drink from the Harry Potter series is a creamy concoction of a butterscotch flavored creme soda topped with whipped cream.  

Traditional Butterbeer

Frozen Butterbeer

     Frozen Butterbeer is actually a better choice but it's an even better idea to share one without the whipped cream.  Ask your server for an extra cup or straw.  The Butterbeer flavor is also available in the form of a clotted cream dessert at the Leaky Cauldron and Butterbeer fudge can now be found in Diagon Alley and is very easy to share. 

Choose Wisely

     In Springfield, the land of The Simpsons at Universal Studios, the big frosted pink donut is a guest favorite.  However, this donut is so large, it could easily be shared by four people.  However, an even better choice is to choose a small cupcake with the same pink icing (available at Fast Food Boulevard). 

     When buying ice cream, opt for the cup.  Waffle cones and extra toppings will pile on the calories.  At Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, you'll find fantastic flavors such as chocolate and raspberry, strawberry peanut butter and Butterbeer.  These are great flavors that are delicious on their own and you don't really need the extras.  

     With these tips, your Universal Orlando trip will allow you the satisfaction of staying healthy without any guilt!

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