How to Eat Healthy at Theme Parks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States promotes a lifestyle based on overeating and unhealthy food. Although theme parks present a fun option for family gatherings, they tend to have more unhealthy options than healthy food choices. However, you won't go hungry if you want to eat right at a theme park. There are some healthy choices available.

Instructions

• 1

  Choose fresh fruit. Disneyland sells fresh fruit from carts available in various areas of the theme park, according to the Theme Park Detective website. Legoland in California also has fresh fruit at locations throughout the park. When in doubt, ask a theme park associate for areas where you are likely to find unprocessed fruit or a fruit salad. You can also try locating fruit at sit-down restaurants available in most large theme parks.

• 2

  Eat a salad. Many theme parks have restaurants with salads. Legoland, for example, has a gourmet restaurant called the Garden Restaurant. Order salads with a light vinaigrette dressing instead of a heavier, creamy dressing. Order a salad with a variety of vegetables, and order the dressing on the side so you can add it to your salad yourself. Add two tablespoons of dressing or less. A sprinkling of cheese, nuts and seeds add healthy fat, according to the University of Illinois, Springfield, website.

• 3

  Choose frozen yogurt or a smoothie. On hot days, opt for frozen yogurt rather than ice cream. Skip the toppings. Chopped cookies or added candy will add sugar and calories to the yogurt. Smoothies made with blended fruit are also a great choice.

• 4

  Select healthier sandwiches. Instead of eating fatty burgers, opt for wraps stuffed with vegetables and a lean protein such as chicken or tuna. You can also eat a sandwich without the meat, just ask to exclude the meat and add extra vegetables.

• 5

  Watch your portion sizes. Cut a large sandwich in half, sharing the other half with a friend or family member. When eating in a theme park's sit-down restaurant, make sure that vegetables take up the most space on your plate.