WDW Restaurants and diverticulitis disease?

[twinkie]

Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with diverticulitis disease. My doctor has put me on a low residue (basically low or no fiber diet). We are leaving for WDW on May 23 (3 weeks away) and have all these wonderful dining reservations. I don't have a clue what I'm going to do regarding this restrictive diet. Has anyone faced something like this? Are the restaurants willing or able to accommodate a special diet. This experience has been just horrible and I know I have to follow the doctors orders to the letter or I'm liable to wind up in the hospital.

TIA for your input!

 

[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.

 

[bluejasmine]

While I have not had any experience with this I know all you need to do is let the restaurant know, one of the chefs will come out speak with you. If its a buffet they will show you what you can eat, if not they will make you something special for you if need be. WDW is wonderful about this!

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[twinkie]

I'll get over to that page and see if I can find anything helpful. I hadn't even thought of checking there. Thanks for the quick response!

Pam

 

[twinkie]

Bluejasmine, I found an email address to request special meals. They sent an email right back telling me someone will be contacting me within the next 5 days. I'm hoping they can do something for me, even if it's very simple. I just need to eat while I'm there and it needs to be low fiber. lol! Anything will make me happy at this point!! I'm just glad my doctor feels it's safe for me to go......

Pam

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

Twinkie, I feel for you. DH was hospitalized for diverticulitis three months before our third trip. If I remember correctly, he was able to eat quite a few foods, staying away from fruits, veggies and certain grains.

He also had his meds with him just in case of a flare-up.

I wish you the best, I know it's not an easy problem to live with.

 

[bluejasmine]

Twinkie that's so nice they emailed you already!

 

[nemmie]

Hello,
My husband has lived with Diverticular Disease for the past 5 years after being hospitalised with Diverticulitus back in 2008. I feel like I've read everything there is out there so perhaps I can help some.

Firstly this
http://www.doctorcmkramerjr.com/userfiles/file/BDHC_Low_Residue_Diet.pdf
From the Mayo clinic. This is a low residue diet guideline he follows every time he has a flare up.

Most importantly he stops alcohol altogether. Not much fun but completely necessary.

Low fibre/low residue is actually much easier than you think. Low fibre and residue basically avoid brown breads/rice, skins on veggies and fruits, tough meats or fatty meats. Be careful with things with seeds, tomatoes etc. Corn should generally be avoid along with nuts and seeds.

What can be confusing is that in the long term you actually need a high fibre diet but you need to introduce that over time when you are not having symptoms. Then when you flare up you go back to the low fibre low residue and meds from the doctor if needed, Usually antibiotics.

This is very helpful
http://www2.ipswichhospital.net/mic...ry/documents/11586-09_diverticulardisease.pdf

If you need anything at all please PM me. It's not a nice disease and I wish someone had been there for us with help and advice. But it IS manageable and even on low fibre low residue you can still have a great Vaca and eat a variety of foods.

 

[disfan07]

I haven't dealt with diverticulitis specifically but I have a GI disorder called eosinophilic gastroenteritis along with 12+ allergies.

Last time we went in December, I was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, wheat, oats, coconut, sesame, sunflower seeds, soy, ginger, broccoli, raw fruits and raw vegetables

All of the chefs were absolutely amazing in accommodating me.

This time when we go in June, I will be avoiding everything just like last time, except now I am also allergic to dairy, I also have to limit chicken, fish, and beans. In addition, if I have a flare while there, I could end up either being able to eat nothing, or primarily carbs (potatoes, rice pasta, etc)

We plan on just going about it the same way as last time. I think the chefs would definitely be able to accommodate the diet you need to follow.

 

[jrsharp21]

Does anyone have more information about how they dealt with diverticulitis and their vacation at WDW? I just was diagnosed with it last Tuesday and we go to WDW at the beginning of March. So just checking to see how how others have dealt with it and try to prevent any flare ups while we are there.

 

[Missyrose]

I don't have diverticulitis, I have Crohn's Disease, but I'm on a similarly restrictive diet. The staffs at Disney restaurants have been great about allowing me to sub out things with dishes that won't hurt me.

For instance, at 'Ohana, they'll make me my own chicken wings without the sesame seeds and a plate of noodles without the veggies.

The biggest thing is for you to know what you can and cannot eat. That way, you can communicate exactly what you need to the wait staff/chefs.

Be on the lookout for Disney's fairly new practice of using whole-grain breads instead of white breads (i.e. the Croque Monsieur at BOG).

You don't have to do a whole lot before you get there, just be prepared to speak up for what you need once you're in The World.

Have a great trip!

 

[minuet]

I spent months combing menus for my parents for their past 2 trips due to my dad's Crohns'.

A couple things for newbies to note:
- do not eat burgers at CS places as the buns are whole wheat. TS burgers for lunch have white buns and are a much better meal if you want a burger.
- French fries are difficult as they have the skins still on them. My dad only had fries at TS places as they would peel the potato before frying them. WCC was very accommodating to him.
- CS pizza has herbs in the crust so that was out for him.

My dad's favourite restaurants: Raglan Road, LTT, and WCC. He found the chefs very accommodating, attentive, and as someone who sometimes hesitates to speak for himself found they knew his needs well and gave him a few options on what they could do and he picked.

These were his favourites but he also had good meals at Rose and Crown and Grand Floridian Cafe (breakfast).

Food costs are a bit higher for my parents because of his needs. They generally have more TS than CS but it's worth it for him to feel healthy.

CS places where they ate: sandwich at Main Street Bakery, Kringla Bakeri, Yak and Yeti CS, Picabu, and Pattiserie in France.

 

[jrsharp21]

Just checking back in on this thread as we are 26 days away from our trip. I notice that it was mentioned that Disney is using whole grain bread now instead of white bread. This is actually good for me as foods high in fiber is what I am supposed to be eating.

But it has been almost two months since I had my diverticulitis issue and no flare ups, knock on wood. I have been slowly adding different foods to my diet and so far I have not find really anything that has disagreed with me. So my outlook on our dining reservations for our trip are looking better and better. I will still need to take measures that I don't eat things like popcorn, nuts, or seeds. Also really greasy or salty foods are pretty much a no no.

If anyone else has been recently to WDW with a restricted diet, do share on what you ate while you were there.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This thread is too old. going to copy the new question into its own thread