Question about sugar free desserts?

[sherry7]

I haven't been on a cruise in a couple of years, and since then I have developed a food sensitivity towards sugar alcohols, and also real sugar. Without getting too graphic, let's just say it causes me gastrointestinal distress.

Sugar alcohols (malitol, sorbitol, etc) are sometimes used in sugar free foods. How could I find out if RCCL uses sugar alcohols in their sugar free desserts? (I can tolerate other artificial sweeteners like Equal and Splenda just fine.) I honestly wouldn't expect (or trust) the waiter to know this information. Thanks for any help.

[IBookHePays]

I would email at rcldining@rccl.com and ask. Not sure if this is the best address for that question, but they will be able to direct you otherwise if it is not.

Btw, I often had the sugarless desserts, for no particular reason, and they were very good!!

[kyriecat]

Be aware when ordering sugar-free desserts that they make mistakes, particularly when the same option is available on the menu as a "sugar" option. My husband is diabetic and orders the sugar-free desserts but has been served the sugar version instead a few times. Most of the time he can taste the difference and will ask for a replacement or not eat it. However, a couple of times he didn't realize and ended up with a spike in his blood sugar level.

I don't know what RC uses for a sweetner.

[fredmdcruisers]

Originally Posted by sherry7

I haven't been on a cruise in a couple of years, and since then I have developed a food sensitivity towards sugar alcohols, and also real sugar. Without getting too graphic, let's just say it causes me gastrointestinal distress.

Sugar alcohols (malitol, sorbitol, etc) are sometimes used in sugar free foods. How could I find out if RCCL uses sugar alcohols in their sugar free desserts? (I can tolerate other artificial sweeteners like Equal and Splenda just fine.) I honestly wouldn't expect (or trust) the waiter to know this information. Thanks for any help.

Trust me -- they use sugar alcohol to sweeten. I'm a diabetic and thought I could eat the sugar free desserts. They taste great but after suffering what you obviously have when ingesting anything with sorbitol, malitol, and such I did some research and found out this is a product I simply can not tolerate. They do not use Spenda or similar products that are more easily tolerated. I end up just getting a regular dessert and just having a few bites. Much safer and better than spending the entire cruise running from bathroom to bathroom.

[sherry7]

Originally Posted by fredmdcruisers

Trust me -- they use sugar alcohol to sweeten. I'm a diabetic and thought I could eat the sugar free desserts. They taste great but after suffering what you obviously have when ingesting anything with sorbitol, malitol, and such I did some research and found out this is a product I simply can not tolerate. They do not use Spenda or similar products that are more easily tolerated. I end up just getting a regular dessert and just having a few bites. Much safer and better than spending the entire cruise running from bathroom to bathroom.

Thanks everyone for the info. I will email the address that IBookHePays (love that name!) gave me, but it's nice getting "real life" advice like Fredmdcruisers" wrote above.

I think I'll just do the same thing as you did Fred...order the regular version and just eat a couple of bites. It seems like a lot of people have problems with sugar alcohol...it's really a same they don't use Splenda or something similar instead.

[joeyancho]

While I do not know what sweetener they use, once you check with RCCL and see if it is fit for you to eat, I highly recommend the sugar free coconut cake served in the MDR. They only serve it one night and it is one of their best desserts, sugarfree or with sugar.

[fielddreamer]

I always find that if you tell your server they will always come up with something sugar free everyday and you only have to tell them the first time. Most of my fellow table mates end up eating my deserts instead ! Bob & Donna

[cruise pup]

You also might want to have a discussion in the dining room with your maitre d' on the firest evening and go over this in detail and see what can be arranged for the entire cruise. As long as they have advance notice they usually can prepare something to accommodate you.

[JerseyGem]

I have the same problem (as do my DD and several first cousins- we think it might be inherited!). RCCL does use sugar alcohols in many of their sugar-free products. I agree with contacting RCCL in advance and also the maitre d' hotel onboard (who will probably refer you to one of the head chefs). They are "supposed" to have a list of all ingredients for evey food item prepared onboard. However, it can take a while to find this if you just randomly ask for it along the buffet line!

Also, if you have "sugar issues," be forewarned that RCCL doesn't offer real fruit juices (that is, 100% oranges, 100% apples, etc.). The drink is actually a breakfast blend or fruit cocktail (that is, a little juice and lots of sugars in various forms, plus dyes, etc) (Think of koolaid with a little pulp thrown in.)

The last time I cruised RCCL (and on a recent Celebrity cruise), I was told that if they used sugar alcohols in a food, it would definitely be labelled as "sugar-free" (so I just avoided anything labelled so).

[madforcruising]

Originally Posted by IBookHePays

I would email at rcldining@rccl.com and ask. Not sure if this is the best address for that question, but they will be able to direct you otherwise if it is not.

Btw, I often had the sugarless desserts, for no particular reason, and they were very good!!

That department handles the seating arrangements in the dining room.
You need to email special_needs@rccl.com there´s an underscore _ between special and needs. They handle the dietry inquieries.

Your person on board to speak to about food requirements is the head waiter. He will know what food you can eat and which not. If he can´t answer he´ll discuss with the Executive chef. However it´s always advisable to discuss anything with the special needs department before boarding.

[sherry7]

Thank you everyone for the great info you've given me. I will definitely email the Special Needs department and also speak to the head waiter, but it sounds like I'm just going to have to mostly avoid desserts. I'm sure I can arrange for the waiter to bring me fresh fruit, which is better than nothing.

Honestly, I'm not used to eating sweets anymore, but it is hard to watch other people eat dessert. I'll try not to drool while I'm watching, lol.

Oh, and whoever mentioned the fruit juices having added sugar...thank you! I definitely did not know that, and I'm glad I didn't find out the hard way.

[Cam6959]

When you email special needs tell them your problem and also tell them your favorite desserts and they will accommodate as much as possible. I know for my husband and I they provide a no sugar added ice cream that does not have sugar alcohol in it and we have it with fresh fruit. Very refreshing after a heavy carb dinner. : ) Also, we have to request a month in advance. good luck and enjoy I know they will help you out!

[fredmdcruisers]

Originally Posted by Cam6959

When you email special needs tell them your problem and also tell them your favorite desserts and they will accommodate as much as possible. I know for my husband and I they provide a no sugar added ice cream that does not have sugar alcohol in it and we have it with fresh fruit. Very refreshing after a heavy carb dinner. : ) Also, we have to request a month in advance. good luck and enjoy I know they will help you out!

If you have sugar alcohol issues be especially careful with the "no sugar added ice cream." They must have both in the kitchen and it's a toss up which might end up in your bowl from my experience. Again I decided it is much safer to simply order the real ice cream and some fruit if I need dessert and only have a few bites. With everything going on in those kitchens "lost in translation" takes on a whole new meaning. You have to responsible enough to understand this and not expect miracles but to manage the problem on your own.

[alphakitty]

Re: the juices....Just FYI.......they do offer fresh squeezed orange juice in the dining room at breakfast....for a fee.

[aruvqan]

You know what you might be able to do?

how about bringing something along for dessert that is prepackaged, and having dessert back in your cabin with room service coffee ...

I tend to always carry something when we travel that I can eat, though I might have a single bite of my husbands chocolate death something [he is the one with the sweet tooth, which is handy for diabetic me =) ]

Betty Lou almond butter lumps http://www.minimus.biz/detail.aspx?ID=8924 and Gnu bars http://www.minimus.biz/detail.aspx?ID=8676 don't seem to spike me like full sugar stuff does, it seems to have enough complex carbs to digest slowly. They also make fab desserts with coffee.