Dining at Disney with GERD?

[Eureka]

Has anyone put a GERD diet on ADR's in case you need something special? I am toying with the idea of it. I have had GERD for years but the last 8 months have been much worse, qnd have been trying all kinds of meds under the direction of my GI doctor. I have a hiatal hernia and an ulcer in my throat, have tested negative for celiac and h. Pylori, and have had to scale back my diet quite a bit...I lost 15 lbs because I do not eat any fried food and have cut WAY back on chocolate I do not eat citrus or tomatoes because of it either. On a day to day basis, I am finally at the point where I do pretty well and know what I can and can't eat. Besides those triggers, fat tends to bother me and that is what I am most afraid of when we are at Disney and Universal this summer. I have set backs with reflux after eating out one meal sometimes, let alone over a week. And this is even when I *am* being careful.

Should I inquire about a low fat/low acid diet? I have looked at the menus and this time we are going OOP so I may just do an app and salad and then have a dessert/snack later because I can't eat big meals anymore without feeling awful. This way of eating also helps because of the timing of my morning and bedtime meds. I guess I am not confident that I will be able to make it through without accidentally eating some things that don't agree with me. For instance, how much oil do the use a Teppan Edo? Things like that. Thanks for any advice, sorry this came out so long.

 

[constancefamily]

I don't know about any accommodations at Disney as I haven't had to do that before but I just wanted to say that I had a hiatal hernia repaired 13 years ago and it was the best thing I have ever done. Do you by chance have any problems with asthma?

 

[Eureka]

I don't know about any accommodations at Disney as I haven't had to do that before but I just wanted to say that I had a hiatal hernia repaired 13 years ago and it was the best thing I have ever done. Do you by chance have any problems with asthma?

Nope, no asthma. My GI doctor and I agree that probably the hernia has intensified symptoms but there is also a large genetic factor for reflux and GI issues that has been there all along. I had GERD way before the hernia showed up on the barium swallow.

 

[constancefamily]

You sound a lot like me except my GERD exacerbated my asthma. Since the repair, I am down to 1 Prilosec a day and can eat almost anything I want. Just thought i would give you a success story. Hope you are able to get the accommodation you need.

 

[Eureka]

You sound a lot like me except my GERD exacerbated my asthma. Since the repair, I am down to 1 Prilosec a day and can eat almost anything I want. Just thought i would give you a success story. Hope you are able to get the accommodation you need.

I appreciate it and will definitely talk to the doc about possible repair if lifestyle and meds don't do the trick. He said we are aiming for 75 percent reduction in symptoms and most days, I think I am there but that is when I eat at home. I take Prilosec in the morning and Carafate for the ulcer at night. Before last fall, I took only Prilosec and could eat what I wanted. The really weird thing was that I went off meds when I wanted to get pregnant and had no problems at all except needing a tums now and then for 10 years! Then I needed to go back on meds a few years ago.

 

[constancefamily]

Good luck with it! Carafate helped my husband a lot with his ulcer. I only started Prilosec after I got pregnant this last time. I had been med free for 12 years before that.

 

[disfan07]

Everyone who has GERD has different trigger foods to a point so just saying GERD diet won't be effective. I have GERD along with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (hitch apparently also aggravates my reflux) and I can eat fried foods and chocolate. I can also tolerate tomatoes which many people can't.

For me, my trigger foods are my allergens/sensitivities (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, wheat, oats, coconut. Sesame, sunflower seeds, broccoli, ginger, thyme, soy and dairy). In addition i cant tolerate any raw fruits, raw vegetables, minimal fish plus some other minor things.

Is this something you can figure out on your own by menu descriptions or do you need to talk to a chef about exactly what is in the food?

I just ask because the chefs are already very overwhelmed with allergy accomodations so if you can determine your meals without a chef it would be a lot easier for you and you will get to eat a lot faster.

You can mark on the ADR for special dietary request but I know you can request plain foods with no problem at most places.

But you have to be able to be specific if you talk to the chefs. If you just say GERD diet they will not know what you are talking about.

 

[Eureka]

Everyone who has GERD has different trigger foods to a point so just saying GERD diet won't be effective. I have GERD along with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (hitch apparently also aggravates my reflux) and I can eat fried foods and chocolate. I can also tolerate tomatoes which many people can't.

For me, my trigger foods are my allergens/sensitivities (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, wheat, oats, coconut. Sesame, sunflower seeds, broccoli, ginger, thyme, soy and dairy). In addition i cant tolerate any raw fruits, raw vegetables, minimal fish plus some other minor things.

Is this something you can figure out on your own by menu descriptions or do you need to talk to a chef about exactly what is in the food?

I just ask because the chefs are already very overwhelmed with allergy accomodations so if you can determine your meals without a chef it would be a lot easier for you and you will get to eat a lot faster.

You can mark on the ADR for special dietary request but I know you can request plain foods with no problem at most places.

But you have to be able to be specific if you talk to the chefs. If you just say GERD diet they will not know what you are talking about.

I can pretty much figure things out myself but was wondering more about the low fat aspect of it since that, red sauce and fried foods are my primary triggers and I know how to stay away from the other two. I don't think chocolate is as much of a trigger but am trying to err on the side of caution. Do they do special things for people who need to go low fat? Sometimes it is not always easy to know how much fat is in a dish just from the menu and cooking descriptions.

 

[disfan07]

I can pretty much figure things out myself but was wondering more about the low fat aspect of it since that, red sauce and fried foods are my primary triggers and I know how to stay away from the other two. I don't think chocolate is as much of a trigger but am trying to err on the side of caution. Do they do special things for people who need to go low fat? Sometimes it is not always easy to know how much fat is in a dish just from the menu and cooking descriptions.

I don't know about low fat. I'm actually on the opposite end where I am supposed to be eating a high (good) fat/high calorie diet to gain weight. I would imagine that the chefs will probably suggest getting something on the menu without sauce and stuff like that but I'm not sure. There's a lot of lower fat options (chicken, fish, vegetarian, etc) that could be made without sauces and gravies that would probably work but I don't know for sure. Low fat is pretty common so I would be surprised if they can't accommodate it by modifying something that is on the menu.

 

[Eureka]

I figured that about sauces, etc. Thing is, I also want flavor. I get tired of eating bland sometimes.

 

[Bete]

Since low fat is important for those who have cholesterol issues you may be able to get help specify that issue rather than stating you have GERD if you decide to call special diets. Keep in mind if you have to talk with a chef at a restaurant this will set you back quite a bit on time. Also, based on comments here it's not a cure all talking to a chef, either. As a previous poster stated the more, specific information you can give the better the chef may be able to help you.

Maybe, consider to do more buffets were you can choose the foods that work for you. If you have questions about an item on the buffet then a chef may be able to help at that point.

My mother had horrible issues with GERD, diverticulitis, and esphoghal issues which caused regurgitation. She had a corkscrew esphogas which actually could cause a blockage called a food bolus. It was so difficult with all these conditions. I have to say without protein drinks she would have had to go to feeding tubes. It was bland, but she did okay with them. We used glucose controlled drinks. We had to purée her foods and watch what she ate with the trigger foods. Unfortunately, there really wasn't any good answers for her. Although, medicines helped there was no cure for her. I don't want to be dismal about it all, but it was real tough. Our best answer for her was eggs; so, we concentrated on breakfast meals. She did okay with most soups. Soups have flavor. Beans were good, too. Again, what worked for my mom may not be good for you.

Honestly, even if the foods are bland if you can eat them you are lucky. I'm not trying to be confrontational, but this is a very, difficult problem. I don't believe there are any easy answers; I'm sorry.

I would certainly go with ala carte if that allows you to pick foods that work for you. There are a few websites that do a very good job with menus and you can pre-plan your meals pretty good that way.

 

[Eureka]

Honestly, even if the foods are bland if you can eat them you are lucky. I'm not trying to be confrontational, but this is a very, difficult problem. I don't believe there are any easy answers; I'm sorry.

I would certainly go with ala carte if that allows you to pick foods that work for you. There are a few websites that do a very good job with menus and you can pre-plan your meals pretty good that way.

Oh no, I completely understand I am lucky that I finally have this under control. I love junk food and sweets but every time I eat I ask myself if it's worth it...many times it is not. (Once in a while, it is....not fast food but a great tapas meal on my birthday for example.) I know this will never go away and will only get worse as I get older (I am 42).

Chances are, I will be fine without resorting to special diets at Disney.I just thought I would pose the question. Thanks for everyone's comments and stories.

 

[katydoll]

You sound a lot like me except my GERD exacerbated my asthma. Since the repair, I am down to 1 Prilosec a day and can eat almost anything I want. Just thought i would give you a success story. Hope you are able to get the accommodation you need.

Sounds like me, but I haven't had mine repaired. Maybe it's time...I can't eat anything without it ending up in my throat! (TMI? Sorry!)

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

I have most of the same conditions. Luckily, I am still able to get by on one nexium in the morning. I still eats things that aren't good for me since I have no self control, and just deal with alittle discomfort. but since your symptoms have gotten so bad, I would definitely review menus before your trip and note some good options ahead of time. I am sure if you have any questions you could ask before ordering, as maybe which of two items have less fat. Good luck with your trip, it stinks to be uncomfortable on vacation.

 

[Eureka]

I have most of the same conditions. Luckily, I am still able to get by on one nexium in the morning. I still eats things that aren't good for me since I have no self control, and just deal with alittle discomfort. but since your symptoms have gotten so bad, I would definitely review menus before your trip and note some good options ahead of time. I am sure if you have any questions you could ask before ordering, as maybe which of two items have less fat. Good luck with your trip, it stinks to be uncomfortable on vacation.

Oh, I still eat some things that are bad for me now that I am feeling better. Some days I have to reign myself in and remind myself WHY I am feeling better...because I have been eating better. Chocolate is the hardest for me.

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

Why are all the things we love so bad for us????