We’ve all been guilty of breaking this Disney World dining rule, but it’s time to seriously reconsider.
Mickey at Chef Mickey’s
Is there a right and wrong way to eat at Disney World? We generally provide guidelines on how we like to dine during our Disney trips, but, ultimately, it’s your vacation and you can go about it however you choose. However, experts have chimed in and issued a warning about a dining cardinal sin that is committed EVERY DAY at Disney World.
The theme park experience — especially at Disney World — can feel super fast-paced. It’s easy to find yourself rushing quite a bit, even through meals. It would be best to stop doing that, though, as experts have realed that rushing through meals is a big no-no.
Large dining room
According to a study done by the Associated Press, folks who eat quickly — such as theme park guests who chow down while they’re on the go or scarf down meals while waiting in line — are doing more damage than good.
The Lunching Pad
Per the report, eating too quickly can lead to problems with overeating, stuck food, and annoying members of your party who eat at a slower pace (albeit the last point is more of an emotional argument rather than one rooted in health sciences).
Maria Cheng of the AP spoke to scientists who said people who eat meals in less than 20-30 minutes are eating too fast.
Woody’s Lunchbox
According to Leslie Heinber of the Center for Behavioral Health at the Cleveland Clinic, it takes roughly 20 minutes for the stomach to communicate to the brain. Eating too fast means it’s very possible you will miss these signals and continue to “eat beyond the point of fullness.”
In the report, Cheng wrote, “People who eat quickly are likely to swallow more air, Heinberg said, which could lead to bloating or indigestion. Not chewing your food properly can also compromise digestion, meaning you won’t get all of the nutrients from your food. Unchewed pieces of food also could get stuck in your esophagus.”
Cheng continued that eating too quickly increases risk of obesity.
Ice Cream Sandwich
The fix? According to the story, stay present. In general, it’s healthier to eat without distractions like tv or your phone — the latter of which can be a problem at theme parks. Heinberg suggests eating “mindfully” and that “when people focus exclusively on eating, they tend to enjoy the meal more and eat less.”
In the AP story, Heinberg “suggested things like using your non-dominant hand to eat, trying utensils you might not ordinarily use like chopsticks or taking a deliberate break to drink water when your plate is partially empty.”
Drink water!
When you’re at Disney World, rushing through meals can sometimes be or feel unavoidable. In those circumstances, it’s recommended to be mindful of what you’re eating, according to other scientists. Take note of what the food tastes and feels like so that you stay in the present and chew your food longer.
Mickey Pretzel
What tips do YOU have to slow down eating when you’re in a hurry? Let us know and continue to follow us right here at DFB for more Disney World tips, tricks, reviews, and updates!
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This is one of the reasons that we prefer table service for at least 1-2 meals a day, and we seek out highly themed, preferably indoor choices for quick service when we get it. Being on a Disney vacation can involve a lot of time when you’re not feeling like you’re on vacation. Meals are the perfect opportuntiy to slow down, rest, enjoy, mull over the things you’ve done so far and what you’re going to do next. Rushing through meals is also a great way to exhaust people who are already exhausted easily – little kids, older folks, and the people in between often tasked with lugging everyone else’s stuff around (looking at me, me!). A late, long, leisurely lunch is a great alternative to heading back to the hotel to rest when you’re somewhat pressed for time but also want a break.