Dairy/milk Free Diets - Where To Go On Holiday??

whereishergar

My child has a milk/dairy allergy - we wanted to go to a 5* hotel in Gran Canaria and I needed to check they have soya milk etc - as hotel is huge and buffet, I was sure would find selection of foods that are suitable for my child. However, I emailed the hotel direct several times and they didn't respond, and I emailed Thomsons several times, and they have now had a reply from their resort office saying that hotel does not cater for special diets and that even Soya milk is not available on Gran Canaria yet !!!

I know I could probably take the long life stuff, but I know so many people have special diets/allergies and am so surprised how difficult it is to find a decent hotel that caters for special diets, when they have so many requests. I know Disney hotels and most Cruise Operators are excellent if they know in advance, does anyone please know of any nice 4*/5* hotels anywhere nice and hot (pref Spanish Islands/Mainland, Portugal etc) where they are happy to cater for special diets?????? Many thanks

ruthyjo

My son had a milk intolerance when he was small. This is not very helpful to you but when we went on holiday we used to take him enough cartons of soya milk to last the duration, also soya chocolate puddings etc to ensure he would always have a treat that he liked and could eat. It would never have occurred to me to expect them to be provided and I can't think of a single hotel/restuarant that ever provided them in the UK either. We always just made choices for him carefully from the normal menu and took things like soya milk that were essential with us.

When my daughter (six years yonger) had the same problems one thing that helped was that we kept her on soya formula much longer. It was at least less awkward to carry the powder than cartons of made up milk.

Both my children had grown out of the dairy intolerance by age 5 - hopefully it won't last forever with your little one either.

whereishergar

thanks very much for your reply - unfortunately my child has only recently been diagnosed at 11 yrs old, so may not grow out of this one.

Whilst I do not expect any hotels/restaurants to provide dairy free food, I would expect them to have the knowledge to explain, when asked in advance, what foods are dairy free etc. One chicken nugget from another chicken nugget are not always the same, from tomato ketchup right through to chips/baked beans/salami/bread rolls etc - it is very surprising to discover just how many of our everyday foods contain milk/milk powder/casinates/whey/butter etc etc etc. I have since discovered that Portugal is a good choice of holiday destination for people with special diets as well as Greece. It is a fact, as many as 60% of people of mediteranean origin have a food allergy/intolerance, whether they know it or not.

angelfire

I have a child with a milk intolerance and whilst it's good that you've managed to find places that provide well for the special diet, I would still take my own milk at least just to be sure...

whereishergar

Yes, I will be taking my own milk for sure, and hope I manage okay!

ruthyjo

Sorry you're right of course about dairy products being hidden in seemingly innocous things. I had a few years of veganism in my student days and our family is still vegetarian so I think it was just habit to a certain extent to avoid suspect foods - hope it works out okay and you have a good holiday

martindow

This doesn't help with obtaining soya milk but I think Israel might be good for you. Because of the kosher laws meat and dairy must not be mixed. This means that any meat dish will not contain any dairy items. It also works in reverse so vegetarians can be certain that anything containing milk or cheese will be completely meat free.

lily_the_pink

HI

Some of the supermarkets in Madeira have soya milk (national make and Alpro) - not all but definately some of the ones in the main hotel area.

I took loads with me the first time I went only to find it in the supermarket. If all the necessary soya milk is heavy, you could take some of the powdered stuff (though I would try out on an 11 year old as she may not like).

I always take the Alpro soya deserts with me as these are long life - though in Madeira they have them. They do in chocolate, vanilla and caramel and all are really yummy (and I hate soya milk).

I cant remember for the canaries - I took powder when I went to tenerife but I am almost certain they had in the supermarkets.

How severe is the allergy? If it is very severe I would probably go self-catering.