Keeping Little Stomachs from Getting Sick at DW

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Okay... what do you feed the under 3 crowd at DW? I'm not talking about what they are allowed to eat. I mean what do you feel safe feeding them without them getting sick? At home, my youngest is eating blander versions of what the rest of us eat. We eat pretty healthy, balanced. We don't fry food, etc. I don't let her eat fast food yet or from restaurants and definitely not buffets - just for the simple fact that I'm terrified of her ever getting food poisoning b/c it's a tough thing for a little body to fight. I'm just not sure how I'm going to feed her on our next vacation. Her little tummy won't be able to handle greasy foods and I'm nervous about cross contamination in restaurants at salad bars or improper food handling. I was going to bring Gerber Graduates for her, but she doesn't seem to be a big fan of all the pasta meals laden with strange sauces - who can blame her?

I know some of you may think I'm worrying too much, but I could really use some advice from any of you who understand or have worked through this and figured out a safe solution.

Thanks!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Anyone? <echo, echo, echooooo>

 

[asmit4]

Okay... what do you feed the under 3 crowd at DW? I'm not talking about what they are allowed to eat. I mean what do you feel safe feeding them without them getting sick? At home, my youngest is eating blander versions of what the rest of us eat. We eat pretty healthy, balanced. We don't fry food, etc. I don't let her eat fast food yet or from restaurants and definitely not buffets - just for the simple fact that I'm terrified of her ever getting food poisoning b/c it's a tough thing for a little body to fight. I'm just not sure how I'm going to feed her on our next vacation. Her little tummy won't be able to handle greasy foods and I'm nervous about cross contamination in restaurants at salad bars or improper food handling. I was going to bring Gerber Graduates for her, but she doesn't seem to be a big fan of all the pasta meals laden with strange sauces - who can blame her?

I know some of you may think I'm worrying too much, but I could really use some advice from any of you who understand or have worked through this and figured out a safe solution.

Thanks!

Most agree with snacks from home (like cheerios and such) and for actual meals- do buffets. Stick with foods they would eat at home- like carrots, some plain pasta...simple stuff. As for improper food handling- I wouldn't worry. DW is a class act when it comes to food. I would not have a problem feeding children anything at DW. I would also let them have some fun too- some ice cream is in order

 

[HillPete]

If you're really that freaked out by buffets (Disney does a great job with them, BTW), you could always try the family-style places. Liberty Tree comes to mind. The food is very basic, without sauces and pretty tasty.

Most places are happy to bring little ones sauce-less pasta (the buffets have the sauces next to so you don't even have to ask). Sauce-less anything is a pretty normal request for them.

FWIW, my son was 15 months old the first time we went. We ate at Chef Mickey's (buffet), 'Ohana (family-style), Hollywood and Vine (buffet) and Liberty Tree (family-style). He did fine with everything. We never had trouble finding things he liked (he particularly liked the rice at 'Ohana) and he certainly didn't get sick. He ate virtually the same there as he did at home. Fresh fruits (that I didn't have to cut up ) and steamed veggies were on the buffets. Grilled meats, mac 'n' cheese and waffles also were a big hit (and pretty much what he got at home)

HTH, have a great trip!
--Hillary

 

[Narnia]

I wouldn't give milk based food on a hot day to a little kids I find it curdles in there tummy. Also i don't allow deep fried items onless it's just a taste since fried foods can cause the runs. I don't let them eat "sugar free" foods with fake sweateners that too makes my kids have the runs. If you are conserned with food posining lay off chicken for sure, I'd bring baby food/toddler food for toddlers under 2 but older toddlers/preschools should be eating what the family eats.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Here, all along I thought that getting sick was part of the experience.

 

[mygirl]

don't worry! go and have fun!
my kids are also not on fast/fried food diets ever, and we are pretty health consious people. we had no problems finding healthy meal options and snack for our little ones to eat (they were 1 and 3).

we ate breakfasts in our room: cereal, fruit.
we brought some snacks: rasins, cranberries, fruit leather, nuts.

found plenty of places that sold fresh fruit cups if we needed a refreshing snack, totally let our kids have ice cream - it WAS 90+ degrees .

i think that drinking plenty of fluids, eating as healthy as possible, and LOTS of handwashing and hand sanatizing will be a great at combating any stomach problems...

have fun - it is disney!

 

[ReneeA]

My kids have always eaten what the other humans in our household eat. It prevents them from becoming overly picky toddlers and also buids their immune system (which is why I am not one of the people that run behind them with hand sanitizers, either...I'd like their bodies to learn how to fight off bugs like they are supposed to).

My DD went to WDW with us a month after she turned 2 and did fine eating off our plates. I think there were a few times I bought her yogurt to supplement what she was getting, but she did fine with what she was given.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. My older dds, I'm not so worried about. We always do buffets and desert more than once a day at DW! It's just the little one I'm worried about. My DH isn't really all that worried when I talk to him about it. I'll probably relax more once I'm there, but in thinking about the details of the trip to come, I'm worrying about every little thing.

I think maybe one reason I'm worrying about what to feed her is b/c I got sick on our last trip. Of course, that could have been from anything, obviously, but I wouldn't want her to go through that.

I know at DW it will be easy to find food for her that isn't fried - glad about that! I guess I'll figure it out along the way!

Thanks all!

 

[engle]

Here, all along I thought that getting sick was part of the experience.

 

[Jubilee]

My daughter is a really good eater but very adventurous. I let her eat whatever I eat, including sushi if she wants it (she's just turning 3 next month.)

As far as illnesses, she had a 24 hour bug one time since last Sept. and that was it...I think it's less than most kids.

That said, a week after our Disney trip last Sept, she had croup pretty bad for a few days. I'm sure she caught it there, but I do honestly believe that it was probably because I should've thought about wiping down bars on rides and the public stroller we rented. I think if you aren't worried about funds, those little gerbers meals and snacks are great.. Also, start drinking lots of juice and do vitamins if you don't already.