Very Restricted Diet for 4 Year Old

[chwilk]

We leave for Disney in 2 1/2 weeks. My four year old was just placed on a very restricted diet for stomach/bathroom issues. She can eat almost only "white" foods such as rice, potatoes, pretzels, bananas, applesauce, etc. We are slowly adding in other foods one at a time to see what she can tolerate. We have the quick-service plan and I have no idea how I'm going to feed her. She can have no fried food and no salads. Any suggestions? Would I have any problems taking a lunch into the park for her? I'm thinking I could pack some deli meat, pretzels, and applesauce for her. I requested a refrigerator at Pop. I feel bad for her but I can't throw this out for our trip or she will be back to square one with her tummy issues. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JimmyV]

Disney now allows you to bring food into the park, so with a QS plan, you should arrange to do so. You will find limited options. You can carry an insulated backpack, or, if the food does not have to be kept cool, place it in a locker and pick it up later.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to the disABILITIES Forum and look at Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There is a large section in that post dealing with special dietary needs, as well as many related links. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by following the link in my signature.

This is a very common topic of discussion in the disABILITIES Forum.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

OP - have you emailed the special diets team? SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com They may be able to help guide you to the best available places. You won't be able to have the restaurant know ahead of time, but you can always ask to speak to the chef at the CS places. They can help get you what you need.

I'm allergic to black pepper and had to have all of my meals prepared once we got there. It took a little longer, but the chefs were great and the food line workers were all very helpful.

ETA: have you browsed the menus on allears?? You may be able to narrow down your search there.

Can she have baked goods? Croissants? Bagels?

Have you tried seeing if it's a gluten problem? My friend saw doctors for a few years for digestive issues/feeling sick to her stomach and they had no suggestions. She did her own elimination diet. Once she cut out gluten, she's felt much better. to you and your LO.

 

[chwilk]

Thanks everyone. You gave me great information and I have e-mailed them and called reservations and they took off the charge for my refrigerator. Thanks for the suggestion about gluten, it actually has to do with a birth defect. Thanks again!

 

[Mjkre]

My advice is to tell every waiter and counter service person at every restaurant you go to. We have been to Disney 3 times and finally on this last trip we mentioned the severe lactose intolerance that my daughter suffers from (causing major stomach problems). Each cast member was great. The chefs worked with us with each meal. I told my husband Disney did a better job of managing her diet then we did. And they had a lot of things to make her feel special and not deprived (mickey sprinkles on tofutti ice cream for instance). BTW: they allowed all the substutuions even though she had the children's meal plan. My other children got a little jealous!

Good luck.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Thanks everyone. You gave me great information and I have e-mailed them and called reservations and they took off the charge for my refrigerator. Thanks for the suggestion about gluten, it actually has to do with a birth defect. Thanks again!

I hope you guys find answers soon!

 

[dzorn]

I would have back up food if needed. Disney is great with allergies but I find you do better with table service than quick service. You may want to get a grocery delivery or if you have a car stock up.

Denise in MI

 

[littleelf]

If she can eat plain bagels, I would bring them in because they can be filling enough for a lunch. And will not need to be kept cold in your bag. If she can eat chicken, you may be able to get grilled chicken or strip the coating off nuggets. I have been on similar diets at times for IBS, but I've been able to eat pizza if I pull most of the cheese off and it's not too greasy. Bananas are also pretty easy to carry around.

 

[chwilk]

We will have our car so I'm planning on stopping when we get there and stocking up. Bagels and bananas are great ideas. Thanks!

 

[bluejasmine]

Oh poor thing! Wishing you lots of love and luck that she is able to outgrow this quickly!