One of the rewarding things about working at Bengal BBQ at Disneyland – where I got my start years ago – was hearing that guests appreciated the location’s healthier fare. Today we offer more nutritious food options than ever before throughout Disney parks, and it’s even easier for guests to identify them with the Mickey Check, which debuts on kids’ menus this week at table-service restaurants throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts.
Menu items that receive the Mickey Check meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines that limit calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. To accomplish this, chefs at Disney Parks have re-imagined many kids’ menu items to find delicious ways to make existing meals more nutritious.
The Mickey Check, which was revealed last year, may be new to table-service restaurants but it already appears on kids’ menus at our U.S. parks and resorts’ quick-service restaurants, on various Disney-licensed food products sold at retail locations, and on qualifying recipes at Disney.com and Family.com.
Inspiring healthier lifestyles is a company-wide commitment. In addition to useful tools like the Mickey Check, the Disney Magic of Healthy Living initiative includes our landmark nutrition guidelines established in 2006, food advertising standards on programming targeting kids and families fully in place by 2015, and unique content and experiences that encourage kids to try new foods, fun moves, and simple ways to be their best.
So keep an eye out for the Mickey Check as it appears on more foods and recipes, and for exciting new Disney Magic of Healthy Living experiences throughout the year!