We've covered a couple of theme park food stories lately, including one where UK parks were visited by a "secret mum" looking for healthy foods and one where Six Flags decided to offer a protein-packed Halloween option to its guests. Now, Disney is looking to make some food changes at their parks - for the better.
The company announced that they would eliminate trans fats from the food at their theme parks, as well as in any Disney licensed food products, and will be instituting a new set of guidelines for offering healthier food options in general:
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Placing a limit on total calories, resulting in smaller portions
- Limiting fat to a maximum of 30 percent of calories for entrees and side dishes, and 35 percent for snacks.
- Limiting saturated fat to 10 percent of calories for main dishes, side dishes and snacks.
- Limiting sugar to 10 percent of calories for main dishes and side dishes, and 25 percent of calories for snacks.
The new guidelines will be phased in gradually over the course of the next few years, although the trans-fats will be eliminated by 2008. There is no telling what effect any of these changes will have on park favorites, like churros, funnel cake and ice cream cones since their nutritional information is unknown at the moment, but it's possible that you might not be able to get some of these treats after next summer.
On top of the changes at their domestic parks, the company also said that they "will sign movie and other endorsement deals only with restaurants that limit fat and sugar in menu items." This change seems perhaps a little too strict, but it does help support the company's family-friendly image, which includes helping to keep families healthy, apparently.
Kids' meals will come with low-fat milk, water or 100% juice starting next week and carrots or applesauce will be offered as side dishes, although soda and fries will be a no-extra-cost option, for those parents who still treat eating at a theme park as a special occasion worthy of an indulgence.













