WDW and GF/CF diets (Autism Diet)

[TwingleMum]

Could we start a sticky thread for parents with children on the spectrum doing GF/CF diets, please. It is more restrictive than just GF or dairy free diets and I know I could use all the help and advise I could get. What counter services worked? What meals did you eat? What Tableservice worked well? How about snacks?? Thanks a million :goodvibes ;)

[SueM in MN]

We can't have too many stickies or it makes it too hard to find active threads, but keep posting hints and after this gets to be about 2 pages, I will put a link to it in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There are already some different food/diet threads there and it can go right with them.

[carrie s]

We had a really great trip for me and my daughter who are both on a GF diet.We can both have dairy,so I cant help you there.Most of the chefs were so wonderful Im sure you wont have a problem.the only one we had a problem with was coral reef,we had a great meal there but we could tell the chef was annoyed.
The chef at Konas and LLT were amazing,they kept checking on us.We also had great meals at 50's primetime and garden grill.
I did a trip report under restraunt reviews.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1578167

[TwingleMum]

Thanks Carrie, thats the problem with the GF/CF diet. Its a lot more restrictive than other diets. So it could be harder to navigate around the parks. I'm hoping that we could start getting people with experience to help those of us just starting out and give us some tips.

[mechurchlady]

I tried researching this diet to find out what specifically is excluded beside gluten and cassein. There are a good number of people like myself here who can help you with dairy/cassein and gluten free diets.

As for the rest of the spectrum diet I and others might help if we knew what it was. I have heard about nutriion and diet affecting ADD, autism and other things while I myself have see marked improvements with whatever is wrong with my brain from prenatal damage, inheritence, accidents, and verbal abuse. I know diet does help and want to help you if I can.

[TwingleMum]

I'm primarily interested in GF/CF Diet. How do you manage at WDW??? What sort of CS meals can you find. Are some Table service restaurants better than others??? Can you give me examples of what, where you eat??? Are there snacks available??? Thanks soo much I appreciate it.

[mechurchlady]

Make up cards with your name and a contact such as room or home address and phone. Put on the card what conditions each person has, any things that your autistic kid really loves, anything that would cause meltdowns, a general list of diet restrictions followed by specifics.

"He is on the Spectrum Diet" is not helpful and will get blank stares.
"He cannot have gluten, cassein, and dairy." instantly tells the hostess, server, manager, and chefs exactly what the restrictions are.

Today I just remembered that mom is sensitive to MSG. It is easier to hand a CM the card then they can read it and if necessary hand the card to the chef or server. All the information is clearly there. Also it is more discrete to hand a card to let someone know that a person in your group is sensitive to something or has a hidden disability.

===================================

You can contact Brenda.Bennett@disney.com for diet information.

This thread is about corn and dairy allergies.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1352768

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1424319

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=806868
Very long thread but in general the same thing holds true where a person is GF, celiac, diabetic, religious diet, low salt, or egg free for example. It also is good advice for vegans, vegetarians and parents of picky eaters. I have learned a lot from that thread.

http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/passporters-club-gallery/131608-new-e-worksheet-special-diets-meals-planner.html
Passporter cost money but is a good site for planning and has that database for those who plan their whole trip.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1360636&referrerid=&highlight=gluten

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/community.html
good place to talk with others who have kids on special diets.

The biggest problem for people with food allergies is the bleeping labels. Maltodextrin can come from corn or wheat. Modified food starch can come from wheat or corn. Vegetable oil can be from soy or canola for example. Natural flavours can be from wheat, soy, corn or anything under the sun.

Counter service requires the person in charge to talk to managers and get things across very clearly. I had at a local family restaurant the chef rip off the bread on a sandwich and reserve it. NO BREAD means do not put my meal on a counter that touched bread and definitely not a burger with bits of bread in the cheese. Sit down restaurants tend to have better trained staff and are better with dealing with dietary restrictions.

My last planned trip was to Escondido and I read every menu I could and studied the park info. I contacted the park to make sure about menus at the Wild Animal Park. For my quick trip to Long Beach I went online for a few minutes for info then in the middle of the trip checked stuff out. Planning is most important. For a kid take snacks. There are a lot of gluten, soy and dairy free snacks. I cope by knowing what I cannot eat, what I can eat, studying for any trip and talking with the staff.

[LisaFB]

My DS is HIGHLY allergic to ANY form of dairy (ie cassein, dairy, whey, etc) as well as wheat (we pretty much keep him gluten free because of all the grains he's allergic to). He's also allergic to eggs, anything with seeds, and some fruits to just touch on his list.

We're leaving in 2 days and what I did was contact Brenda Bennett a few months ago. She was FABULOUS! She sent us a list of what foods they have at each counter service and what brands of allergen-free foods they serve where. Every place they sell food has soy milk (thank goodness) and they have things like Van's GF/DF waffles at most locations for breakfast (thank goodness since that's all DS eats for breakfast!) I sent Brenda DS' list of allergies and she sent it on to each place we're eating. TO make things MUCH easier, we chose not only which sit down places to eat, but also all counter services as well as what times we'll be there. This way they can make special meals for him each and every time and we won't have to worry about cross contamination or anything like that. Most of the chefs contacted me after Brenda sent them our info and I got to speak with them on the phone or via e-mail.

Preparing all this in advance is probably your best bet.

[TwingleMum]

I got the E Mail from Brenda but I didn't find it all that helpful for a GF/CF Diet. More for either GF or DF not both. I was hoping to start a thread where people who have experience with these diets and dining at WDW could help us newbies. Counter service meals that worked well, favorite Table service restaurants and meals and snacks. Practical advise.

[LisaFB]

I'm surprised you didn't find Brenda helpful. My DS is gluten free, dairy free (all dairy including casein and whey and any by products), egg free, nut free, etc you name it and he's severely allergic to it. Brenda was able to work out with us where to eat for every meal. Now we did have to chose in advance where to eat, including counter service, and we told her where and when. Then she helped us get in contact with the chef or food service people and we planned out each menu for him in advance. It's pretty much the same thing when we go out to eat around here. We call the restaurant in advance, tell them what he CAN eat (since that list is much shorter), and pick a specific meal for him for whenever we'll be there.

[TwingleMum]

The attachments I received from Brenda were for eitherGF or CF not for someone who has both. Thats why I was looking for help from people who have practical experience. Where and what was available.

[mechurchlady]

Contact Brenda and keep working with her until you get a dining plan that will fit your kid's diet. There are seperate lists for each allergen and I would take the two and compare the lists to see what is safe on one and not the other.

For me being allergic to 5 groups plus some other stuff means a delicate balancing act to have a happy diet but I adjusted and every day now thank God for me not having gotten a worse fate in life. It takes lots of patience and work when you have allergies. Give Brenda and her staff a chance to help you and talk with them about what you need.

[sleepingbean]

:thumbsup2

[bigjellyroll]

How do I contact Brenda?

[Cheshire Figment]

Check out the disABILITIES FAQ. Page 3 has lots of links, those concerning dining are about 1/3 of the way down that page.

[mechurchlady]

How do I contact Brenda?

It is listed in post 7 and also in the FAQs.

I removed a link as I accidently posted a link to a game site.

[disneynewman]

Last October I was at the World with my son who was on teh GF/CF diet at the time ( I have sonce taken him off, he didn't benefit from it). A few things I rememeber, is that the hot dogs are all safe. I found sit down places better, the chef would always come out and speak with us and prepare special things for DS such as scrambled eggs, GF rolls, and waffles. I remember that there were really yummy GF CF brownies available, I deffinatly got them at Mouse Gear in Epcot but I think they were available other places as well. And the rice crispy treats at the Main St bakery were okay for him. Also don't forget that you can bring in your own snacks to the park, you just need to tell security that your child has food allergies. Hope this helps.

[TwingleMum]

Christine~ Thank you so much. My DS loves brownies. I'm wondering about another of his big Favs chicken nuggets. Any idea???

[Shorty82]

Also don't forget that you can bring in your own snacks to the park, you just need to tell security that your child has food allergies. Hope this helps.

Actually, no you don't need to tell security that. Anybody is allowed to bring snacks with them into the park.

[mechurchlady]

Christine~ Thank you so much. My DS loves brownies. I'm wondering about another of his big Favs chicken nuggets. Any idea???

Chicken nuggets usually contain wheat, soy and sometimes dairy. The exception is if you can find someon to hand batter the chicken in a gluten free batter. Any battered food such as nuggets, fish sticks, pork tenderloin, and fried mozarella stick will have gluten. Soups are often thickened with flour especially clam chowder and stews.

[dawnball]

I want to say that there are gluten free chicken nuggets that can be arranged via Brenda (at least at MK). I know that you can arrange for GF chicken fingers - but they tend to be very pale and overcooked because the rice flour they use for breading browns more slowly.

[sleepingbean]

GF Chicken nuggets, eh? Bean has never had chicken nuggets. That could be fun!
:rolleyes:

[SueM in MN]

Actually, no you don't need to tell security that. Anybody is allowed to bring snacks with them into the park.
::yes::
We bring snacks in all the time for DD. Security has never batted an eyelash.

They used to have signs that you could not bring picnic lunches in because they don't provide any picnic tables. I don't even think they say that anymore.

[mechurchlady]

The five-second rule does not apply to people with celiac and food allergies. I cannot eat something that fell on the floor or the microwave cart. The exception is things like whole tomatos, oranges, melons, grapes and apples which must be scrubbed clean in the sink.

It may sound gross but who hasn't dropped something and ate it or put it back in the skillet or pot. I have gotten reactions because of this type of cross contamination. I put the item on a cutting board or counter and it has bread crumbs that I cannot see.

I am not much help on specialty foods as I make one trip a month if I have money just to buy GF foods. I think I finally am really wanting to go to WDW now because of the food and not the attractions. Right now I am craving Thai noodles as those are made only of rice and make a good pasta dish.

Annies and Emeril are two great companies for GF foods.
http://glutenfreemona.blogspot.com/
http://www.wheat-free.org/

[LisaFB]

We just got back last week fro our 10 day land/sea trip and OMG DS ate like a king for the first time in his life! He's severely allergic to all forms of dairy, eggs, wheat, beef, seeds, among several others. We did not have a single problem with him eating!

[sleepingbean]

LisaFB,
That is wonderful to hear! I am so glad he did well with his restricted diet!
I'm going to read your trip report next so I can hopefully see some food photos and get the "dish"
:rotfl:

[LisaFB]

I don't think I posted too many food pics in my trip reports, but I did post links to all my pics and there are several food ones in there. I felt bad for him having to come home and go back to my cooking! LOL

[sleepingbean]

We just got back from our second trip this year, and I posted oodles more gluten free dairy free food photos here
http://sleepingbean.blogspot.com/
:)

[mechurchlady]

Outback Steakhouse sent me to heaven yesterday. They label which foods are GF and work with you on the rest of your diet. I am GF and no eggs with no soy, chocolate or dairy but a bit will not hurt me. They have a chicken with mushrooms, honey mustard sauce, cheeses and chicken that was soo yummy that it was worth the pain I am in now, lol. French Fries there are not GF and with my limits it would have been meat, baked potato and veggies. It is a good choice for GF dining.

Nice blog but you said you ate Rice Dream which has Gluten. :confused3

[sleepingbean]

Nice blog but you said you ate Rice Dream which has Gluten. :confused3
Rice Dream Vanilla Ice cream does not contain gluten. Nor does the Organic Rice Dream Milk. If you look at the new cartons of the organic, it says "Gluten Free" on the back :) Some Rice dream products do contain gluten, such as the Rice Dream Ice Cream with chocolate covered nuts. That has barley, but you just have to check the ingredients and their website, which tells you which products are gluten free.

HTH

[mechurchlady]

Finally they listened. They had great products but with celiac i am absolutely wheat free. I accidently ate eggs and survived with no problems other than nap attacks on an Indiana back road. I will have to find a place that sells rice dream products out here and check.

Thank you very much.