hananke

The same thing happened to me (and two other members of my group) on a cruise last week--uncomfortable swollen ankles.

I'm convinced it's all the food additives and fillers they use - in particular MSG and it's varying names...also CARRAGEENAN and SOY products.  You're told they make everything on the ship and bake all the goods themselves. This is true but they definitely use ready made mixes. While on a Royal Caribbean cruise this month, I saw a crew member carting a bunch of milk cartons some of which said chocolate dessert mix and the others vanilla dessert mix. I asked to look at the ingredients. I saw at least 30 different ingredients most of them additives and preservatives--including Carrageenan (know for causing inflammation). He said they used this mix in many of their desserts.

Also while on the ship, I spoke to the chef to ask if they use soy oil t make their breakfast items. I wasn't feeling well (very bad joint/arthritic type pain)  and I know soy can be the culprit. At first they said no, we just use vegetable oil but I asked him to look at the ingredients and it turned out it contains soy oil. They gladly made me my omelet using olive oil.

 I think on future cruises, the best option is to use the seated dining as much as possible (rather than buffet restaurant) and to be specific about how you want items cooked. I will also do my best to avoid desserts...just fresh fruit.

The same thing happened to me (and two other members of my group) on a cruise last week--uncomfortable swollen ankles.

I'm convinced it's all the food additives and fillers they use - in particular MSG and it's varying names...also CARRAGEENAN and SOY products.  You're told they make everything on the ship and bake all the goods themselves. This is true but they definitely use ready made mixes. While on a Royal Caribbean cruise this month, I saw a crew member carting a bunch of milk cartons some of which said chocolate dessert mix and the others vanilla dessert mix. I asked to look at the ingredients. I saw at least 30 different ingredients most of them additives and preservatives--including Carrageenan (know for causing inflammation). He said they used this mix in many of their desserts.

Also while on the ship, I spoke to the chef to ask if they use soy oil t make their breakfast items. I wasn't feeling well (very bad joint/arthritic type pain)  and I know soy can be the culprit. At first they said no, we just use vegetable oil but I asked him to look at the ingredients and it turned out it contains soy oil. They gladly made me my omelet using olive oil.

 I think on future cruises, the best option is to use the seated dining as much as possible (rather than buffet restaurant) and to be specific about how you want items cooked. I will also do my best to avoid desserts...just fresh fruit.