Disney Low FODMAP?

[kyomagi]

So i have been told to go on a low fodmap diet to control my chronic gastritis and IBS. Well my trip to the D is in two weeks. I have a list of foods that are approved on the low fodmap diet but is there anyone else that is on the same plan that can give some insight?

 

[stackyallred]

So i have been told to go on a low fodmap diet to control my chronic gastritis and IBS. Well my trip to the D is in two weeks. I have a list of foods that are approved on the low fodmap diet but is there anyone else that is on the same plan that can give some insight?

I am not on that same diet but I'm very familiar with FODMAP because I've had a few friends who were on it. I certainly think that while it likely will be a challenge, you will be able to find plenty to eat if you plan well. I have a list of over 30 foods I must avoid due to allergies so here are my suggestions when dealing with a long list of unsafe foods:

Research what info is already out there. Before my first trip with my new diet, I researched all the menus looking for places that looked most like they would have possible items to work with. I also researched allergy blogs that gave reviews of restaurants that seem to have a good reputation for accommodating special diets (my favorite at accommodating me and my son is Sanaa over at AKL). Of course one person's review may be a totally different experience than what happens for you but it's a starting place. Sit down(table service in Disney lingo) locations are almost always easier to deal with because the chef who should know every ingredient available comes to speak to you. At counter service locations, a manager will be the one to speak to you. While many are helpful, they don't have the ability to cook from scratch as often as a chef does. However, they should have a binder with the ingredients listed for all their offerings.

Contact special diets. Be sure you fill out the special diets form they provide and if you have questions regarding a certain location's ability to accommodate your needs, you can ask the special diets team if a chef from there can contact you to discuss. But all you can do is ask politely and hope for the best. Some chefs have called or emailed me and some haven't. I look at it as a great help if they do but I don't expect it- I know I'm just one of so many in my shoes. However the chefs that have contacted me have told me they are glad I did make prior contact due to my limitations.

This is probably obvious but bring plenty of snacks that you know you can have. I keep a thermal pouch with lots of snack in my backpack every day. It's rare that we find much in the parks or resorts that are safe for us. I also take a few things that can serve as a meal replacement in a pinch "just in case" like safe jerky and fruit.

Make a small card with your list of unsafe foods. I have a little card I've printed (1/4 size of a piece of printer paper) that says something like my name and "Thank you so much for helping me today! Here is the list of foods I must avoid." Then I've listed the foods under titles such as "grains," "fruits" etc. Chefs have commented to me often that with my long list, it is a very helpful tool. I print up 25 or so before each trip because a lot of chefs and managers ask to keep them while they prepare the food and I don't always get them back.

I hope you have a great trip and that your new diet gives you some relief!