Catering for special diets at Girlguiding camps and residential holidays

Girlguiding is a great way for girls and young women to have fun, make friends, and learn new skills. But what if you have a Girl or volunteer with a special diet?

Don't worry, with some clever thinking, QM’s can accommodate all dietary requirements.

Allergies

If you have a girl or volunteer with an allergy, it's important to be vigilant when it comes to food preparation.
The list of 14 main allergies can be found here.

If a girl or volunteer has an allergy that causes anaphylaxis, it is important to communicate with parents or the volunteer before the event to plan for all eventualities.

Most parents will be more than happy for leaders to communicate to other parents that the allergen should not be brought to camp. Especially if you are allowing midnight feasts! Please communicate with the parent or volunteer to check that this is ok. This Girlguiding form is very useful when planning here.

Here are some tips:

Label all food clearly with the ingredients.
Separate food that may contain allergens from food that is safe for everyone to eat.
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food.
Cook food thoroughly.
Do not share food or utensils.
Be aware of the signs of an allergic reaction and know how to treat it.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent allergic reactions and keep girls safe at Girlguiding events.

Allergy action plan

Epipens

If the member has an Epipen, it is important to discuss a care plan. If your group is travelling abroad, it is important to ensure that the member has their epipens as they can be difficult to obtain whilst abroad. Many countries will use nuts in a lot more foods.

When travelling abroad, members will need to ensure that they have a letter from their consultant giving permission to carry their pens on planes or across border control.

To find out more about Epipens, visit this page.
If you wish to be trained to use an Epipen, please speak to your local first response trainer.

Care plan for anaphylaxis

Vegetarians and vegans

Vegetarians don't eat meat, poultry, or fish. Vegans don't eat any animal products, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or dairy. Girlguiding camps and residential holidays can easily cater for vegetarians and vegans. There are plenty of delicious vegetarian and vegan options available, such as pasta dishes, salads, and veggie burgers.

Vegan ideas include:

Breakfast: Porridge with fruit and nuts, tofu scramble, vegan pancakes or waffles, avocado toast, smoothie bowls.

Lunch: Salads with chickpeas or lentils, sandwiches on vegan bread with hummus or avocado, soup, veggie burgers or dogs, pasta with tomato based sauce. Jacket potatoes and Heinz beans are also very filling.
There are also three varieties of Supernoodles that are vegan. Mild Curry, Peri Peri Chicken and Chow Mein flavours. These can be mixed with sweetcorn and can be cooked in a pan on an altar fire.
Wraps can also be very useful for a large group as these can be tailored to individual diets.

Dinner: Stir-fries with tofu, chick pea curries, pasta dishes, vegan burgers or hot dogs, pizza, roasted vegetables can all make nutritious meals.

Snacks: Fruits, vegetables, seeds, popcorn, hummus and pita bread, vegan yogurt. Biscoff biscuits and biscoff spread. A baked banana with Biscoff makes a delicious change to a smore!

Hot Chocolate: Vegan members do not need to miss out on hot chocolate. Combine one chocolate alpro with any vegan milk of the members choosing and warm gently in a pan!

Fast food: Eating at fast food restaurants can be a little more tricky but you can ask to see the nutricional information in all restaurants. Fries, hash browns, and salads can be eaten and most places now offer a vegan selection. Instead of ice cream, make sure that sorbet is available.

Gluten free diets

There are many reasons why people follow a gluten free diet. Some of the most common reasons include:

Celiac disease
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)
Wheat allergies
Digestive problems.
Autoimmune conditions.
Inflammatory conditions such as Endometriosis.

Here are some tips on how to support a Girlguiding member who is gluten-free:

Talk to the member or their parents about their gluten-free diet. Ask them what foods they can and cannot eat, and what their dietary needs are.
Be aware of the potential dangers of cross-contamination. Cross-contamination occurs when gluten-free food comes into contact with gluten-containing food. This can happen even if the gluten-free food is not actually made with gluten.
Make sure that the member has access to gluten-free food at all times. This includes snacks, meals, and drinks.
Be understanding if the member needs to make special requests. For example, some parents may be more comfortable with sending food to events or ask that certain foods be prepared in a certain way.
Gluten free foods can sometimes be more expensive. Speak to your local commissioner to find out if there is any support locally that can support units with these costs.

Some members may reduce salicylates and phenols. Information can be found here.

Fodmap diets

A low FODMAP diet is a short-term diet that helps people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) identify and reduce their intake of foods that trigger their symptoms. FODMAPs are a group of fermentable carbohydrates. You can find more information here.

Talk to the child's parents or guardians. The first step is to talk to the child's parents or guardians to get information about the child's specific dietary needs. They can provide you with a list of foods that the child can and cannot eat, as well as any other relevant information.

Be understanding and supportive. It is important to be understanding and supportive of the child's dietary restrictions.
Offer a variety of FODMAP-friendly foods.
Some parents may find it easier to send a small snack box on camp.
Encourage the child to talk to you about their diet. It is important to encourage the child to talk to you about their diet. This will help you to understand how they are feeling and what they need.

Neurodiversity and diets

People with ASD or ADHD may have a range of difficulties with food, including:

Selective eating: This is when someone only eats a very limited range of foods. This can be due to a number of factors, such as sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or a fear of new foods. Try to provide a range of snacks that the member likes as the stress of being away can sometimes affect eating.
Sensory sensitivities: People with ASD or ADHD may be more sensitive to certain textures, tastes, or smells of food. This can make it difficult for them to eat certain foods or even to sit at a table and eat with others. Cereal can often be a huge trigger. Ensure you chat to parents or volunteers about food that upsets them.
Difficulties with mealtime routine: People with ASD or ADHD may have difficulty following a regular mealtime routine. This can make it difficult for them to eat at the same time each day or to sit through a meal without getting up and moving around.

It is important to ensure that volunteers are supportive and encouraging with neurodiverse members. Many girls with ADHD are acutely aware of their dietary choices. Many girls and volunteers with ADHD will struggle to eat breakfast. Taking items like breakfast bars on camp may encourage that Guide who has a full day ahead of her to sit and eat something.

Many ADHD medications will affect the appetite so breakfast before medication is preferable.

Finally many members with ADHD and ASD will find that certain foods affect their condition.
The following food dyes should be avoided. Especially close to bed time.

E102 (tartrazine)
E104 (quinoline yellow)
E110 (sunset yellow FCF)
E122 (carmoisine)
E124 (ponceau 4R)
E129 (allura red)

Eating disorders

One in four people in the UK is affected by a mental health issue - learn how we can help everyone feel safe and thrive. Girlguiding has excellent advice about supporting girls and members here.

The key to supporting a member with an eating disorder, is communication.
Chat with parents of girls to plan when girls are attending camps or holidays.

Here are some tips on how to support a Girlguiding member with an eating disorder:

Be a good listener: Eating disorders can be very isolating, so it is important to be a good listener and to let the member know that you are there for them.
Be patient: Recovery from an eating disorder takes time, so it is important to be patient with the member and to offer your support throughout the process.
Educate yourself about eating disorders: The more you know about eating disorders, the better equipped you will be to support the member. There are many resources available online and in libraries.

If you are concerned that a Girlguiding member may have an undiagnosed eating disorder, it is important to let them know that you are concerned and that you want to help. If the member is a girl, it is important to communicate with parents or guardians. Your local safeguarding adviser can support you with this.

Always ensure that you have the capacity to support someone before doing so. Remember to seek support from other volunteers and commissioners for yourself where necessary, as supporting someone with their mental health concerns can be distressing for you too. To find out more about supporting your own wellbeing, see NHS Every Mind Matters.

Religious diets

Muslim members

Halal diets are those that conform to Islamic law. This means that food must be prepared in a certain way and that certain ingredients are not allowed. Girlguiding camps and residential holidays can cater for halal diets by providing food that is prepared according to Islamic law. This may involve using different cooking utensils and ingredients.

Breakfast: Porridge with fruit and nuts, Yogurt with granola and honey, Eggs with toast or avocado, Smoothies made with milk, yogurt, fruit, and vegetables.

Lunch: Wraps with grilled halal chicken or tofu, Sandwiches on pita bread or whole-wheat bread, Soups and stews, Veggie burgers or falafel wraps.

Dinner: Halal Chicken or tofu stir-fry, bread and soups, Rice with vegetables, Pasta with tomato sauce

Here are some additional tips for meal planning for halal members

Look for recipes that use halal ingredients. There are many cookbooks and websites that offer halal recipes.
Be aware of potential allergens. Some halal foods may contain allergens such as nuts, gluten, or dairy.
Be flexible. If you are not sure what to make, there are many halal frozen meals and snacks available.

With a little planning, you can easily create delicious and nutritious meals.
You can learn more about supporting members during Ramadan here

Jewish members

Kosher diets are governed by Jewish dietary laws, which prohibit the consumption of certain foods, such as pork, shellfish, and meat and dairy products that have been cooked together. Kosher catering companies must adhere to these laws in order to provide food that is safe and acceptable for observant Jews.

There are a number of things that QM’s must do to ensure that their food is kosher. They must use only kosher ingredients, which are those that have been certified by a rabbi. They must also use separate utensils and equipment for meat and dairy products, and they must take steps to prevent cross-contamination.

In addition to the dietary restrictions, kosher caterers must also be aware of other cultural considerations. For example, some observant Jews do not eat bread during Passover, and others may have specific dietary requirements due to medical conditions. Kosher caterers should be prepared to accommodate these requests as well.

If you are planning an event that will include members who keep kosher diets, it is important to work with a the parent or volunteer to ensure that you provide food that adheres to their beliefs.

Here are some additional tips for catering for kosher diets:

Be clear about your members' dietary needs. Ask them what foods they can and cannot eat, and make sure to communicate this information if using an external provider for your camp.
Provide a variety of kosher options. There are many delicious kosher foods available, so you should be able to find something that they will enjoy.
Be prepared to answer questions. Your members may have questions about kosher food, so be prepared to answer them in a clear and concise way.

Hindu and Sikh members

There is no one definitive Sikh diet, as individual Sikhs may have different dietary preferences. However, there are some general principles that guide Sikh dietary practices.

Vegetarianism is common. Many Sikhs follow a vegetarian diet, which means that they do not eat meat, poultry, or fish. This is based on the belief that all living beings are sacred and should be treated with respect.
Dairy products are generally allowed. Sikhs are generally allowed to consume dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. However, some Sikhs may choose to avoid certain dairy products, such as ghee (clarified butter), which is often used in ritual ceremonies.
Eggs are generally avoided. Eggs are not considered to be vegetarian, and some Sikhs may choose to avoid them altogether. However, other Sikhs may consume eggs, especially if they are used in a dish that is otherwise vegetarian.
Food should be prepared in a clean and hygienic manner. Sikhs believe that food should be prepared in a clean and hygienic manner, as this is considered to be a form of worship.

Christian and Salvation Army members

There are no dietary rules that are universally followed by all Christians. Different Christian denominations have different dietary restrictions, and even within denominations, there is often variation in what individuals choose to eat. If in doubt, chat to the member.

Many christians will choose to Observe Lent. Lent is a period of fasting and prayer that is observed by some Christians in the weeks leading up to Easter. During Lent, some Christians may abstain from meat, dairy products, or other foods.

Many Christians and Salvation army members choose to abstain from Alcohol. This is an important thing to keep in mind when planning volunteer meetings or district or division meals, Instead of a pub meal, you could have an afternoon tea at a cafe.

Catholic members

Catholics do not have any specific dietary rules that are universally followed. Different Catholic denominations have different dietary restrictions, and even within denominations, there is often variation in what individuals choose to eat.

Some Catholics follow these rules.
Abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent: During Lent, which is a period of fasting and prayer that is observed by some Christians in the weeks leading up to Easter, some Catholics may abstain from meat on Fridays. This is a practice that dates back to the early days of the Catholic Church.

Observing Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Some Catholics may choose to abstain from meat on these days.

Observing the fast of St. Nicholas: The fast of St. Nicholas is a three-day fast that is observed by some Catholics in the weeks leading up to the feast of St. Nicholas, which is celebrated on December 6th. During this fast, some Catholics may abstain from meat, dairy products, and sweets.

Catering for every one!