q's about dining: FODMAPS & allergy

[BlueberryPi]

A couple years ago I was eating at a little bakery and went into anaphylaxis. Around the same time I was dealing with crazy GI issues. I went to a specialist who put me on FODMAPS, which is doing wonders, but has made figuring out the triggering allergen extremely difficult. Long story short: I have a very limited diet because of FODMAPS, and I really don't want to have unusual things that can cause an allergic reaction, so I'm afraid of having anything outside of my usual ingredients at WDW.

I've been checking through the menus and most places have something that I can cut items out of to make them okay, but there are some places that are particularly difficult (Hollywood Studios was particularly difficult). I've noticed that in some places that there are kids menu's that would be more easily adapted to my diet than adult items. Would Disney sell me a kids meal instead of an adult one (without me having to go into a big long explanation - is it enough to say "I'm on a restrictive diet")? We have no kids with us otherwise I'd just swap a meal with a kid.

Also when I have made trips down to the states I've noticed that HFCS is in everything, and I'm worried that the baked goods - like croissants - have HFCS in them (I'm super lucky that gluten isn't a problem for me, but HFCS is the worst trigger for me). Does anyone know if this is true or if there are better places/items than others?

I'm also thinking of making a little card that lists everything I can't have, but on the other side listing off a few things that I'm very happy to have that should be able to be put together without much difficulty (something like "I am very happy to have basic foods like unseasoned chicken/beef with carrots, peppers, spinach and/or zuccini and rice; or greens with any of those veggies with chicken or beef with no dressing; or a chicken burger with a small amount of mayo, and a slice of tomato and some lettuce with veggies instead of fries") - or would that be patronizing to a chef?

Any one else on FODMAPS who have suggestions? On our last family vacation I just carried my own food I brought with me, and had a lot of fruit and veggies, but I'd like to be able to have a few more items.

 

[gap2368]

one do you carry an epi pen with you.

also disney is very good about food allergies and will work around what you can and can not have can you bring your own food like tuna for the incase I can not find food that meets my needs

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'm on a low FODMAP diet too as of last week. Still learning my triggers, but high concentrations of dairy seem to be one. My plan is to check out the new allergy website to see if that gives me some good info to help me plan to limit my exposure. I'm lucky in that I don't have a dangerous allergy to anything, but eating too many triggers in a day makes me sick.

 

[BlueberryPi]

one do you carry an epi pen with you.

also disney is very good about food allergies and will work around what you can and can not have can you bring your own food like tuna for the incase I can not find food that meets my needs

I do carry an epipen with me (and two when I'm on vacation). When we were on vacation last year I brought with me what we call "mom bread" and it's a fodmap friendly bread that has a lot of healthy stuff in it. But I sort of overdid it on that vacation because trying to augment menu items felt awkward and difficult at most places. I've become less shy about it though (if only because I'm sick of "mom bread"). The biggest problem with my allergy is that we don't know what it is (there is speculation that it may be a preservative or a type of mold).

 

[BlueberryPi]

I'm on a low FODMAP diet too as of last week. Still learning my triggers, but high concentrations of dairy seem to be one. My plan is to check out the new allergy website to see if that gives me some good info to help me plan to limit my exposure. I'm lucky in that I don't have a dangerous allergy to anything, but eating too many triggers in a day makes me sick.

Welcome to the FODMAPS diet. It's not easy, but I feel 150% better and everyone in my life (even co-workers I never see and don't know that I'm on this diet) comment on how healthy I'm looking. I also have the Monash app (they are the ones that created and research the diet) and while the app is $10, it's really handy at restaurants and grocery stores to assess items.

I didn't see anything on their new allergy site about their menu's (hopefully it's in the works though). This was why I was thinking of making a card with all the items I can't have, this way they can compare it to their ingredients.

 

[gap2368]

I do carry an epipen with me (and two when I'm on vacation). When we were on vacation last year I brought with me what we call "mom bread" and it's a fodmap friendly bread that has a lot of healthy stuff in it. But I sort of overdid it on that vacation because trying to augment menu items felt awkward and difficult at most places. I've become less shy about it though (if only because I'm sick of "mom bread"). The biggest problem with my allergy is that we don't know what it is (there is speculation that it may be a preservative or a type of mold).

that is good that you carry an epi pen with you ( I too have an anaphylactic to some unknown thing we have narrowed it down to medicine food or stress) you can look on line at foods in the park and try and have an idea of what you can eat and then check when there to see for sure when there. also first aid have epi pens so if you need yours let a cast member know right away so that they can take messers to get you to the hospital fast and maybe get another epi pen in case you need it.

 

[BlueberryPi]

that is good that you carry an epi pen with you ( I too have an anaphylactic to some unknown thing we have narrowed it down to medicine food or stress) you can look on line at foods in the park and try and have an idea of what you can eat and then check when there to see for sure when there. also first aid have epi pens so if you need yours let a cast member know right away so that they can take messers to get you to the hospital fast and maybe get another epi pen in case you need it.

I've been looking at the menu's, right now I'm trying to assess if the restaurants will let me order from the kids menu if it's the only thing that I see that I can safely eat (HS seems to be really short on items that I can eat without heavy modifications).

 

[gap2368]

I follow 2 people on YouTube they get the kids meus a lot and they do not have kids do I think you will be fine

 

[BlueberryPi]

I follow 2 people on YouTube they get the kids meus a lot and they do not have kids do I think you will be fine

Awesome. That's great news.

 

[Mrsjvb]

just don't get any Dining Plan. while it is no problem to buy a kids meal in most locations, you would not be allowed to get one using Adult dining credits( or if you are, you'd be losing money/wasting credits each time)

 

[BlueberryPi]

just don't get any Dining Plan. while it is no problem to buy a kids meal in most locations, you would not be allowed to get one using Adult dining credits( or if you are, you'd be losing money/wasting credits each time)

Good tip, I was already on the fence about it because our family loves our food, but doesn't eat a lot of it, but this certainly adds to that.

 

[albuhay]

I was able to order a kids' Mickey Check meal at Hollywood Brown Derby last year with no questions asked. They gave me an adult sized portion (so I got two chicken breasts and tonnes of veggies - so much food!) and charged a little extra for it. I'm sure any of the other restaurants would do the same!

 

[BlueberryPi]

Thank you albuhay! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear It seems like wherever there are problems, the Mickey Check meals look perfect.

 

[albuhay]

I'm glad I could help! The Mickey Check meals are definitely a great option for something a bit simpler. As an addition to your first post, if you feel more comfortable bringing a card with everything you can and can't eat that could be a great idea. I have eating out cards in other languages that just list "I can eat..." and "I cannot eat..." which may be a helpful way to do things for you. I imagine that at any table service meal you will talk to the chef so you would be able to detail what you might like/what you feel comfortable with directly to them, but if you wanted to give them something to give you peace of mind I say go for it!

I hope you'll have a wonderful trip!