As a parent of two young children under the age of five, I know how difficult it is to make sure your children eat a healthy, well balanced meal at home. It can be mind numbing at times. You certainly have to be creative to find all of the major food groups on a four year old’s plate.

Now you may think a plate of bacon, sour cream dip, chips and a slice of bread may be pushing it. I say nay. Protein? Bacon! Vegetable? Uh, Potato Chips! Grain? Bread of course. Dairy? Sour cream dip! That plate was just another well balanced meal. Yes, there is truth to this little illustration, no, we do not let him eat like this every day!

Thankfully, our friends at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Park have helped us to make nutritional dining for the boys on vacation a little easier with the Mickey Check. The Mickey Check is a new initiative that will help you identify nutritious choices for your children while you are on vacation!

In order for a meal to receive the Mickey Check, the meal has to live up to Disney Nutrition Guidelines, which align to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The meals encourage portion control (and calorie intake) while limiting sodium, sugar, saturated fat and trans fat.

Meals adorning the Mickey Check must include at least three of the four major food groups: fruits and vegetables; low-fat dairy; whole grains; or lean protein, beans, eggs and nuts. You can rest assured they aren’t pressing the limits and passing off potato chips as vegetables! To meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines, meals have to be ordered without any substitutions!

No longer will you have to worry about your child’s nutrition while visiting Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Park, because Disney is already worried about it for you! The Mickey Check debuted at Be Our Guest Restaurant earlier this month and is slated to appear on other table-service menus the first of the year!

Be sure to browse all of the dining options available at Walt Disney World® Resort on our website! When you plan your next vacation with Off to Neverland® Travel, our Magic Makers® will take you through the dining experience, and even eliminate the wait by making reservations for you…all at no additional cost!