Gastroparesis Diet Menu?

[sasparillasally]

I am a diabetic & was just diagnosed with Gastroparesis. I will be going to DL next week. Does anybody with this condition or similar have any suggestions to dining or menu options at DL? Or what to bring as packed food? TIA it has been a nightmare with eating & I don't want this to ruin my trip.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Obviously, you are working with your doctor on diet, meds (ie. Reglan), etc
2) From our understanding,
. . . keep away from large meals, such as buffets or "holiday" pig-outs
. . . eat 6-7 times per day instead of the typical 3-meals
. . . limit intake to about 4-6 ounces (total) per meal
. . . eat very little fats, and do eat lots of fiber
3) When at the eatery, ask for the chef and explain your condition, so he/she can recommend

NOTE: We have a relative with this. She cannot cure the chronic condition, but with the above, really does not suffer too badly from it.

 

[sasparillasally]

1) Obviously, you are working with your doctor on diet, meds (ie. Reglan), etc
2) From our understanding,
. . . keep away from large meals, such as buffets or "holiday" pig-outs
. . . eat 6-7 times per day instead of the typical 3-meals
. . . limit intake to about 4-6 ounces (total) per meal
. . . eat very little fats, and do eat lots of fiber
3) When at the eatery, ask for the chef and explain your condition, so he/she can recommend

NOTE: We have a relative with this. She cannot cure the chronic condition, but with the above, really does not suffer too badly from it.

Thank you for your response, this helps. I just barely started on Reglan so by the time I go on vacation next week it will not be in full effect. So I'm a little worried on the menus at DL or if I have to pack some food. I was told to stay away from fried foods, raw veggies & fruits(they can be blended in a smoothie) nuts, red meats, spices, sauces, fatty foods, carbonated drinks and or gassy foods. So I am very limited at this point.

 

[Redwitch]

I am sorry to hear you have Gastroparesis. My mother suffered for years. She ate small amounts, frequently - like every two hours or she became very ill. And, the limitations are horrible. For restaurants, she generally went with fish, broiled without sauces. Chicken was also OK and ground beef. She was limited in veggies to "over cooked" carrots, spinach, etc. Sadly, carbs are your friend. She ate cottage cheese with canned fruit and cream of wheat for breakfast. Eggs, yogurt, pudding, some soups are OK. I'm not familiar enough with DL menus to help on that end, sorry!

 

[disney144]

I don't have gastroparesis, but I am a disneyland regular with similar stomach issues. I cannot have fried foods or rich, creamy food. I limit my dairy (particularly cheese) and cannot eat onions or beef. I also really limit my portion sizes. Here is what I do:

Disneyland:
- kids chicken meal at French market. It comes with rice and is very good
- Bengal BBQ chicken skewers. Nice small meal, though there is sauce so be careful there
- plaza inn- baked chicken meal. It's baked (not fried) like their other chicken
- jolly holiday- lots of great sandwiches. You may need to split one, but they are very yummy

California adventure
- I can't remember the name, but there is a Mediterranean place by paradise pier (next to the pizza in the back corner). This place has great food and it is pretty easy on the tummy. I usually split the chicken platter with my BF. Keep in mind the dipping sauces they give you on the side may not be good. The cucumber salad is also tough to digest as it is raw, but the chicken and rice are yummy and easy on the stomach
-Mexican place- they have a chicken meal. While way too big for you, a bit of the chicken and tortillas will be good
-schmoozies- if you need a dose of fruits, these smoothies are very good. I would double check about if they use ice cream though

Downtown Disney-
- earl of sandwich! Get your sandwich without the sauce, eat half, and bring the other half in for your next "meal"

Good "snacks": it's a vacation. You have to indulge a little, right? By picking the right indulgences, you can keep your tummy happy. My favorite is the soft pretzel, although popcorn may be another option (in small quantities). Avoid the ice cream/bakery.

Avoid: typical theme park food. While it may look good, it will mess up your stomach and could ruin your trip. Avoid the pizza, burgers, hot dogs, fries, etc.

We don't typically eat at the table service restaurants, but I would try to look at the kids options or the appetizers. Kids meals are often less seasoned and smaller, which is good. If there are no good options there, you can also try ordering a side or two and picking off of your companions meal.

Just remember not to overdo it. Eating conservatively will not ruin your trip (spend the extra money on souvenirs!). Eating poorly and destroying your stomach will ruin your trip.

Do you have any solutions for the symptoms? What do you usually do when you feel bad? Be sure to arm yourself with everything you use at home. my primary issue is nausea, but I use: sea bands, motion eaze (oil you put behind your ears), and nauzene (chewable tablets)

 

[sasparillasally]

I don't have gastroparesis, but I am a disneyland regular with similar stomach issues. I cannot have fried foods or rich, creamy food. I limit my dairy (particularly cheese) and cannot eat onions or beef. I also really limit my portion sizes. Here is what I do:

Disneyland:
- kids chicken meal at French market. It comes with rice and is very good
- Bengal BBQ chicken skewers. Nice small meal, though there is sauce so be careful there
- plaza inn- baked chicken meal. It's baked (not fried) like their other chicken
- jolly holiday- lots of great sandwiches. You may need to split one, but they are very yummy

California adventure
- I can't remember the name, but there is a Mediterranean place by paradise pier (next to the pizza in the back corner). This place has great food and it is pretty easy on the tummy. I usually split the chicken platter with my BF. Keep in mind the dipping sauces they give you on the side may not be good. The cucumber salad is also tough to digest as it is raw, but the chicken and rice are yummy and easy on the stomach
-Mexican place- they have a chicken meal. While way too big for you, a bit of the chicken and tortillas will be good
-schmoozies- if you need a dose of fruits, these smoothies are very good. I would double check about if they use ice cream though

Downtown Disney-
- earl of sandwich! Get your sandwich without the sauce, eat half, and bring the other half in for your next "meal"

Good "snacks": it's a vacation. You have to indulge a little, right? By picking the right indulgences, you can keep your tummy happy. My favorite is the soft pretzel, although popcorn may be another option (in small quantities). Avoid the ice cream/bakery.

Avoid: typical theme park food. While it may look good, it will mess up your stomach and could ruin your trip. Avoid the pizza, burgers, hot dogs, fries, etc.

We don't typically eat at the table service restaurants, but I would try to look at the kids options or the appetizers. Kids meals are often less seasoned and smaller, which is good. If there are no good options there, you can also try ordering a side or two and picking off of your companions meal.

Just remember not to overdo it. Eating conservatively will not ruin your trip (spend the extra money on souvenirs!). Eating poorly and destroying your stomach will ruin your trip.

Do you have any solutions for the symptoms? What do you usually do when you feel bad? Be sure to arm yourself with everything you use at home. my primary issue is nausea, but I use: sea bands, motion eaze (oil you put behind your ears), and nauzene (chewable tablets)

Thank you! This helped immensely! I have been stressing out so bad & it's making my stomach worse. I just got diagnosed literally 5 days ago with the gp and i have had this vacation planned since march. Right now I am just coping with the symptoms being very bland, liquid diets, living off of things made with skim or low fat dairy, chicken, lean deli meat, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, protein drinks & eggs/white toast. All the while trying to control my diabetes (i have had that for 12 years) I just started reglan and take zofran for the nausea. I read somewhere on a GP site that it is wise to pack snacks such as graham crackers, saltines, 1/2 banana. Definitely a huge lifestyle change. I actually switched hotels so that I can have one with a kitchenette to help with breakfast and smoothies. Thank you for giving me ideas, at least I have choices! Getting a kids meal is a great idea! Never thought of that!

 

[sasparillasally]

I am sorry to hear you have Gastroparesis. My mother suffered for years. She ate small amounts, frequently - like every two hours or she became very ill. And, the limitations are horrible. For restaurants, she generally went with fish, broiled without sauces. Chicken was also OK and ground beef. She was limited in veggies to "over cooked" carrots, spinach, etc. Sadly, carbs are your friend. She ate cottage cheese with canned fruit and cream of wheat for breakfast. Eggs, yogurt, pudding, some soups are OK. I'm not familiar enough with DL menus to help on that end, sorry!

Thank you so much for sharing and giving me some pointers

 

[disney144]

Thank you! This helped immensely! I have been stressing out so bad & it's making my stomach worse. I just got diagnosed literally 5 days ago with the gp and i have had this vacation planned since march. Right now I am just coping with the symptoms being very bland, liquid diets, living off of things made with skim or low fat dairy, chicken, lean deli meat, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, protein drinks & eggs/white toast. All the while trying to control my diabetes (i have had that for 12 years) I just started reglan and take zofran for the nausea. I read somewhere on a GP site that it is wise to pack snacks such as graham crackers, saltines, 1/2 banana. Definitely a huge lifestyle change. I actually switched hotels so that I can have one with a kitchenette to help with breakfast and smoothies. Thank you for giving me ideas, at least I have choices! Getting a kids meal is a great idea! Never thought of that!

No problem! I would really check out the sea bands and motion eaze. They're great cuz neither puts any meds in you. Try to get creative. You can probably get plain rice from the Asian food place in California adventure. Stick with your diet as much as possible. Think of what you would be eating at home and try to replicate that.

Also check out the disabilities page here.

 

[happymommy]

My daughter has this as one symptom of her having Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. She suffered for years with nausea and vomiting easily, until we found out finally this year what was causing her stomach problems!

She takes 1/4 of a 250mg tablet of erythromycin before every meal, and it helps empty her stomach. After a week or two, her symptoms stopped almost completely!

Just wishing you luck!