soy allergy, new dx, need tips

[ThreeBeans]

My son has had his peanut allergy since he was three and we have successfully navigated the parks several times with that. No big. I'm not too concerned.

We now have a new, fairly serious soy allergy to worry about. I'm not overly concerned about sit down meals in restaurants, but I need to know what to watch for in terms of snacks and QS, and if there are any well-loved 'safe' choices.

TIA

 

[stackyallred]

I just went in Sept. 2012 with tons of newly diagnosed allergies, one of my biggest being soy. (Other major allergies include dairy, wheat/gluten, peanut, tree nuts, garlic and egg). My very favorite snack is definitely the popcorn which is soy free. I struggled to find desserts that were safe at both TS and CS places so I went to Babycakes (all items are soy free treats) at DTD a few times to stock up on chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes to take with me. I just carried a small thermal bag and Tupperware container in our back pack to keep snacks in. There were times that I had fresh fruit or a baked potato from one of the snack carts and of course I brought some snacks from home. I have to say I sure missed never having fries (made in vegetable oil that may contain soy) or eating any Asian foods this time! I had very good counter service meals at Sunshine Seasons, Cosmic Rays, Flame tree Barbecue and at POP and AOA (most counter service places gave me a 2 pack of Enjoy Life cookies for dessert which I always saved for a later snack). A lot of chefs said I'd have more options if I was not allergic to soy lecithin because there are many items in which that is the only soy present and apparently many soy free people can handle it but I steered clear. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[ThreeBeans]

I just went in Sept. 2012 with tons of newly diagnosed allergies, one of my biggest being soy. (Other major allergies include dairy, wheat/gluten, peanut, tree nuts, garlic and egg). My very favorite snack is definitely the popcorn which is soy free. I struggled to find desserts that were safe at both TS and CS places so I went to Babycakes (all items are soy free treats) at DTD a few times to stock up on chocolate chip cookies and cupcakes to take with me. I just carried a small thermal bag and Tupperware container in our back pack to keep snacks in. There were times that I had fresh fruit or a baked potato from one of the snack carts and of course I brought some snacks from home. I have to say I sure missed never having fries (made in vegetable oil that may contain soy) or eating any Asian foods this time! I had very good counter service meals at Sunshine Seasons, Cosmic Rays, Flame tree Barbecue and at POP and AOA (most counter service places gave me a 2 pack of Enjoy Life cookies for dessert which I always saved for a later snack). A lot of chefs said I'd have more options if I was not allergic to soy lecithin because there are many items in which that is the only soy present and apparently many soy free people can handle it but I steered clear. Hope you have a great trip!

Thanks! Right now his allergist feels that soy lecithin and soybean oil should be safe. I intend to do a food challenge before we leave (at the fire station. with Epi-pens and benadryl standing by ) to make doubly sure.

We have ADRs at Teppan Edo I am told the chefs will make a sushi roll with no soy sauce or soy 'paint' to hold the seaweed and rice together. Any experience there? DS1 LOVES sushi.

 

[CarrieR]

Soy is low on the list of allergies around here - trying to remember what my soy-allergic friend had issue with due to her soy. She is ok with small amounts so the response will differ. But I don't recall many issues. This is one where an email to special diets will help - although you'll have to cross-reference the peanut and soy lists with each other.

I will say - Avoid Ohana! We had our worst Disney dining experience ever there. I have a friend with 8 ana allergies (strawberries, peanuts, tree nuts, fresh fish, shellfish, avocado, and soy & eggs in large quantities) and by the time the chef got to the soy he was downright snarky with her. "You do realize this is a Polynesian restaurant?" Not only were we belittled they managed to send out conventional food - thankfully no one had eaten anything with their allergen in it before he checked back, flipped out, and became a kind, patient and attentive chef. Anyways... I still recommend Ohana in general but feel like it deserves a warning for soy-allergic patrons.

Generally you'll want to stick with the same CS process - ask for the allergy binder & a manager will assist you. Allergy chicken nuggets and baked fries might be an option - I've read really good things on these boards about both, but don't know what allergies they serve.

The good news is, you're staying within Top 8 and should be able to be served fairly easily. They no longer even want advance notice of those, since they handle enough, they have a "system." Much less hassle than our weird allergies, rofl...

Eta: lecithin and oil being safe will make your life a lot easier. That's essentially where my friend is, and aside from the Ohana incident, the soy was a non-factor on our trip. Can't really remember it causing an issue with much of anything, although it may have crept up in areas I am forgetting.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Thank you, that is very helpful