Hoop Dee Doo and Picky Kids

[soniam]

Kids are incapable of making sound nutritional choices without guidance. The foods that kids (and adults!) generally like are high in fat, salt, and calories. There's a reason that "picky eaters" only eat chicken nuggets, fries, mac & cheese, cheese pizza, etc. Where are all the "picky eaters" that will only accept whole grain bread, apple slices & hummus?

That was me as a kid. I would eat any vegetable (turnip green, brussel sprouts, lima beans), except cooked spinach, and any fruit, except for oranges due to the pith and segments. But, because I wouldn't eat any and all meats, I was labeled as a picky eater I loved tabouleh, hummus, gazpacho, strong cheeses, dark breads, tamales, salsa, pizza with mushrooms. I was a pretty adventurous eater in my opinion.

I am now the mother of an 11 year old truly picky eater, no fruit, only carrots and corn, not even mashed potatoes. He barely eats french fries. He's really picky about pizza. If the mac n cheese isn't like Kraft, he doesn't like. No nut butters or jelly. He does like steak and salmon though Oh well, good vibes to other suffering parents out there This is why we have never done HDDR. I also haven't been keen on the menu, since I don't like meat on the bone, like fried chicken or ribs. I would probably eat some and be fine. I think DS would probably only eat the cornbread, and that would be a big maybe.

 

[unrequited23]

We are adults and just went in Dec. A few of the people in my family have food allergies and I do not eat ribs or chicken off a bone. We had called and explained everything and were told they could accommodate no problem. We noted the allergies when we made the ADR and at checkin was instructed to tell the sever when we got to the table. I was able to eat the salad and cornbread and was brought chicken tenders with fries and a huge plate of Mac n' cheese. Not to mention the strawberry shortcake. It was so much I could not eat it all myself. The family members with the allergies got a separate salad because the regular one has cheese and plain chicken breasts. I can't remember if they had fries or a baked potato and veggies.

I think this was the exact kind of first hand info the OP was looking for. Thank you.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We are adults and just went in Dec. A few of the people in my family have food allergies and I do not eat ribs or chicken off a bone. We had called and explained everything and were told they could accommodate no problem. We noted the allergies when we made the ADR and at checkin was instructed to tell the sever when we got to the table. I was able to eat the salad and cornbread and was brought chicken tenders with fries and a huge plate of Mac n' cheese. Not to mention the strawberry shortcake. It was so much I could not eat it all myself. The family members with the allergies got a separate salad because the regular one has cheese and plain chicken breasts. I can't remember if they had fries or a baked potato and veggies.

We went in 2015. I don't like fried chicken (I'd eat it if I were starving), don't eat ribs at all, and strawberry shortcake disgusts me (I can't handle any soggy breads). I was also pregnant (and don't drink alcohol, anyway). I think I ate salad, cornbread, potato, and baked beans. Maybe there was a vegetable? I can't remember. Nobody offered me any alternative options, but I also didn't ask. I still had plenty to eat and had a great time watching the show.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

He can certainly get his fill of friend chicken at Hoop. Shouldn't be a problem.

I agree with a few other posters that fried chicken =/= chicken nuggets. (I don't like either one but I'll eat them.) Fried chicken is at least identifiable, and you can pick around any tendons/veins, especially on a breast. Nuggets are frankly disgusting - ground up, reformed, mystery meat (just because you can't see the tendons/veins/etc, doesn't mean it's not in there. No way are they separating all that out before they grind everything up). I know they're salty, etc, but it baffles me why children would like them. (And why nuggets in particular? There are other salty foods out there. What would all of these picky eaters live on if their parents never introduced them to nuggets and mac & cheese?)

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I am saying that often there is a REASON for a child (or adult) to be a picky eater. I say my kids are picky eaters because that's the best way to describe it. Point was, there are underlying issues that cause it. Until you know for a fact that a kid is being INTENTIONALLY picky, it's insulting to insinuate that it's a parenting issue.

I have no underlying issues but I absolutely cannot stand to eat many things. I would hate to not have a choice and be forced to eat things I don't like. Why do we not give the same respect to kids? Why can't they like what they like and that's just okay?

I fully advocate this. It is pointless to try to force a child to eat something they don't want. The best you can do is put it in front of them and let them choose what to eat or not eat, and attempt to go to places you know there is at least something they will eat. It's not productive to make food a battle ground.

Yes, there are often underlying sensory issues at play with picky eaters, but it is also often a willfulness or and attempt to control the situation. My sister was exceedingly picky ,and my parent catered to that to the point that we weren't allowed to bring certain foods into the house because she didn't want to see or smell them. She didn't have sensory issues, she enjoyed the power it gave her over the family's day to day lives. In her case, catering to her was counterproductive.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Kids are incapable of making sound nutritional choices without guidance. The foods that kids (and adults!) generally like are high in fat, salt, and calories. There's a reason that "picky eaters" only eat chicken nuggets, fries, mac & cheese, cheese pizza, etc. Where are all the "picky eaters" that will only accept whole grain bread, apple slices & hummus?

(Sensory issues & other conditions bring a whole new set of rules. This post is not written with sensory issues in mind.)

Actually, a lot of picky kids with sensory issues like things like apples and hummus. Thing is though, processed foods often have more palatable textures than their whole food counterparts, because their texture has been homogenized. Dealing with food issues is difficult, perhaps one of the most difficult childhood issues. Kids have to eat to be healthy, and often its difficult to sort out where sensory issues end and wilfulness or control issues start.

 

[Barbydoll8]

This is for true food allergies, not because you don't like what they make.

Yes I know but the Poster had a question on if they could get a substitute from Trails end. In my experience with anything, you must ask. I'm not suggesting they request a special diet menu, I'm suggesting the ask the question they asked here. Disney Dining is the best source for that since they are the ones involved. If you don't ask, you don't get.

 

[lovingeire]

For the record, because I know someone else was interested in the answer, the official word from Disney dining is there is not an alternate menu for kids like there is at Spirit of Aloha. (I'd take the family there since we're staying at Poly, but all the reviews have been abysmal!) And from those who shared actual personal experience it looks like there may be an option to ask or be offered something alternatively from Trail's End or their kitchen.

I will personally not ask for a special diet menu because my son does not have an allergy. Should he be diagnosed with something that includes food sensitivities due to texture, etc. we'll of course be working on strategies to expand what he eats. And if he has an official issue then I won't hesitate to mention that to Disney. I wouldn't just ask for alternative food because he's picky, but if they offered it I would gratefully accept.

I really appreciate those who have answered the question and shared their personal experience. That being said, I don't think we need to beat a dead horse anymore on the topic since a simple question incited so many strong feelings on the subject.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Yes I know but the Poster had a question on if they could get a substitute from Trails end. In my experience with anything, you must ask. I'm not suggesting they request a special diet menu, I'm suggesting the ask the question they asked here. Disney Dining is the best source for that since they are the ones involved. If you don't ask, you don't get.

When you said to call and see what they would do for them I thought you were saying call and request something special not call and ask what is offered. My mistake.

 

[LSUfan4444]

(I'd take the family there since we're staying at Poly, but all the reviews have been abysmal!)

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...y_s_Spirit_of_Aloha_Show-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[ShellieMimi]

My picky kids eat very healthy foods. They just only eat about 10 things each. They are actually picky about most of the junky foods kids usually love. They only like whole wheat breads, fresh fruits and veggies (no canned or anything), Greek yogurt, etc. Mine wouldn't eat hot dogs, chips (of any kind), cereal, processed cheese (only like fresh mozzarella and brie), and most fast food. They have never drank a soda or anything like kool aid. They just drink water or milk. Being picky doesn't automatically mean they eat crap.

Actually, a lot of picky kids with sensory issues like things like apples and hummus. Thing is though, processed foods often have more palatable textures than their whole food counterparts, because their texture has been homogenized. Dealing with food issues is difficult, perhaps one of the most difficult childhood issues. Kids have to eat to be healthy, and often its difficult to sort out where sensory issues end and wilfulness or control issues start.

As stated, my post was not written with sensory issues in mind.

That was me as a kid. I would eat any vegetable (turnip green, brussel sprouts, lima beans), except cooked spinach, and any fruit, except for oranges due to the pith and segments. But, because I wouldn't eat any and all meats, I was labeled as a picky eater I loved tabouleh, hummus, gazpacho, strong cheeses, dark breads, tamales, salsa, pizza with mushrooms. I was a pretty adventurous eater in my opinion.

In mine, too!

 

[joannamet]

People who have never had to raise a child that is an extremely picky eater shouldn't throw in their two cents on a post about picky eaters. Regardless of the cause of the pickiness, using controlling methods can be seen as abusive at worst and just downright mean at best.

As a parent of two autistic picky eaters,...

And there's my second pet peeve; overly sensitive parents who choose to take offense when none is meant. How do you know so much about me? Maybe I do have a picky eater at home? Are you making assumptions about my level of experience with this issue? Are you accusing me of being controlling and mean? Wow! Just, wow!

Obviously an autistic child who has sensory issues is not simply a picky eater and should be treated differently than an otherwise healthy kid who just won't eat something he/she doesn't want to eat. Believe me, there are plenty of those kids out there and plenty of parents who complain that their kid won't eat anything but chicken nuggets while they continue to give him chicken nuggets. I stand by my earlier comments.

Its pretty easy to tell when a kid genuinely doesn't like a food and when he/she doesn't want it. When my daughter was a toddler another child at her daycare saw me giving her grapes and asked for one. The teacher told me that he didn't like grapes but if he wanted one he could have it. He bit into the grape, made a horrified face and spat it out. Now that's a kid who genuinely didn't like grapes. He wasn't just being picky.

There's a difference between refusing to eat a food you don't like or can't tolerate, and refusing to anything that isn't one of the limited number of foods that you prefer. That's a picky eater and I still don't think that children and adults who fall into the picky eater group should be enabled by getting special treatment.

 

[Missyrose]

For the record, because I know someone else was interested in the answer, the official word from Disney dining is there is not an alternate menu for kids like there is at Spirit of Aloha. (I'd take the family there since we're staying at Poly, but all the reviews have been abysmal!) And from those who shared actual personal experience it looks like there may be an option to ask or be offered something alternatively from Trail's End or their kitchen.

Calling Disney (even the special diets department) can be a frustrating and fruitless experience. They have very scripted answers that don't always have much to do with how things are in real life. Your best bet is to simply ask your server at HDDR if there are any options for your child, they have the info, a call center CM doesn't.

 

[rapunzel3]

I was there in 2013 with picky kids. If I remember correctly one ate mac n cheese, and the other two ate uncrustables (pb and j).

 

[lovingeire]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...y_s_Spirit_of_Aloha_Show-Orlando_Florida.html

Thank you for sharing this link by the way as I had forgotten to check Trip Advisor reviews of the luau and it looks like more recent reviews are more promising. So I might add it back to the consideration list.

 

[Reese'smom]

To the OP- I feel your pain. DS (7), has sensory processing disorder and as a result of low sensitivity in his mouth- is a very picky eater. In the past, we do not let him dictate where we go to eat but we do allow him to bring something to eat or to not eat. I've brought applesauce and cereal bars in my purse. Forcing a child with sensory issues to eat something they've never had before is not something you want to do on vacation. Our son has made vast improvements over the past 2 years so do not give up hope completely. I don't know how far away from your vacation you are, but you may want to look at the menu and see if theres any foods you can work on getting the child to start to like. For example, our son would not eat cheese of any kind. First, we put one small bite of cheese on his plate. He didn't have to eat it or touch it- just let it be there without him screaming. After we solidly had that down we moved on to touching it, then smelling it, then licking it. It is a very long process. Needless to say our son eats every kind of cheese there is now- he really loves feta the most! We are still working on most meats and french fries. Big hugs to you! I have been where you seem to be now- waiting for help and praying for answers. Its hard to have a child that appears typical from the outside but has some different needs and disorders.