Any diabetic-friendly eateries?

[MHSweb79ds]

I have just been diagnosed as pre-diabetic and have 3 months to lower my A1C before resorting to medications. Unfortunately, my followup bloodwork is scheduled for the week after I return from a week at Disney. (My nutritionist suggested putting the test off for another week or two, which I can do).
For other reasons I am not following a keto diet, simply reducing carbs and upping protein, fiber and exercise. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? We'll be staying at the Beach Club with easy access to Epcot, so lots of eateries to choose from.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

My suggestion is look at menus.

Look for grilled chicken, salads, veggies etc.

Choose water or DIET soda.

Don't go crazy with snacks/desserts.

I also would consider delaying the bloodwork because you're not going to be nearly as perfect as you could be at home.
Although if you are good at home prior to your trip and you make better choices and I'm not sure if you are in need of losing some weight but doing so for those that need to can help your blood sugar levels.
Also walking post meals improve blood sugar pretty immediately.

BTW my doctor who I actually trust said a1c is kinda BS. If your regular blood sugar is high that's all you need to know.

 

[PAGA2003]

I just went through this only I was still in insulin resistance. I started with Whole 30 for one month and then continued with eating an anti-inflammatory diet and my blood work showed no more signs of insulin resistance in only 2 months. It is a big change but so worth it and I also just feel so much better in general.

You definitely will be more limited on vacation but Disney does so well with dietary restrictions I think you will still be able to enjoy yourself. I have been gluten free for several years (and had wonderful GF meals at Disney) but now also have removed most all dairy and added sugar and plan to continue to eat within those parameters on our upcoming trip just allowing a few things here and there. The biggest thing is just note restrictions on your reservations and speak to the wait staff and chef at the restaurants and they will take care of you.

 

[ShannyMcB]

While this doesn’t help with the restaurant choices try not to stress too much about the testing right after vacation considering A1C testing kind of gives an average over a couple months. How this works I haven’t the foggiest.
But walking will help. And in terms of restaurants you will be able to find a lot of options if you begin looking at menus early and have a few spots identified ahead. Last minute decisioning will not help. We have picky eaters so like to have a list of a couple quick service restaurants in each park/resort area so we know where the kids will eat instead of trying to figure it out when everyone is already hungry. Look at each park and resort ahead and identify a meal or two that will fit in with your eating plan to make it easier. Kind of like not going to the grocery store when you’re hungry.
Try to avoid unnecessary sauces as they often have hidden sugars. And of course care should be taken around adult beverages which are often very high in carbs with no protein or fiber to balance it out. Probably not the time to drink around the world or try out ALL the pastries. Mexican pavilion and sunshine seasons seem to have some decent options. And looking at the menus for both yatch and beach quick service show some yummy sounding wraps.
Consider if you can kids meals from quick service. Smaller portions and the options to have fruits, veggies and yogurts as sides would come in handy.
Popcorn might be a good option. And don’t forgot the sugar free crystal light single serve packets!
Maybe consider posting your question on the disABILITIES thread as well. A friend of mine got a lot of info there for food allergies I’m sure someone will have experience with diabetic experiences at wdw.

 

[lanejudy]

You’ll need to focus on portion sizes and what foods you choose to eat. Fill up on protein and veggies, ideally without breading or sauces. Keep the starches low — pasta, rice, potatoes — maybe only eat half of the starch served with a meal. Water or zero sugar beverages, avoid alcohol. Avoid or limit desserts.

A1C measures a 3-month average so it really shouldn’t matter if you test the week after vacation.

You can do this!

 

[Lewisc]

BTW my doctor who I actually trust said a1c is kinda BS.

Some endocrinologist, for patients who use CGM, believe % in range is more important then A1C. Sometimes lows and highs can offset. Your A1C may be misleading

 

[Simba's Mom]

Speaking as someone else who was diagnosed as pre diabetic and having A1c tests, what got me thru Disney was trying desperately to eat lots of vegetables, hard I know, sometimes even choosing the vegetarian option.
Good luck! What I'm really struggling with now is that after a year of weight loss (30 lbs), improving my eating-healthier with more veggies and fewer carbs, and taking a Diabetes prevention class, my A1c has slowly crept up to where it was before I started trying to improve. Right now I'm so discouraged! At least my blood glucose is still in the "safe" range (but just barely). All the comments downplaying the role of A1c have really helped my mood.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I would do the test before the trip (I'm diabetic too haha, but type 1, so I can offset anything I eat luckily haha)

The thing that came to mind was Sautuli Canteen.....go with lettuce as your base!

If the A1C is stressing you out, I would ask to go on a CGM so that your dr can get a general tracking of the sugars, even if you're not on any medication yet (a time or two ago when I went to the dr, my A1C was better, but I was having a lot of lows, so it was offsetting it as other people have said)

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If the A1C is stressing you out, I would ask to go on a CGM so that your dr can get a general tracking of the sugars, even if you're not on any medication yet (a time or two ago when I went to the dr, my A1C was better, but I was having a lot of lows, so it was offsetting it as other people have said)

This poster was just diagnosed as pre-diabetic.
I highly doubt that a doctor would recommend nor that insurance would cover a CGM device.
I do think that self testing may be a good idea to get a daily reading for a period of time before the doctor throws meds at it.

 

[diznynut]

I'm not sure what type of foods you like, but here are a couple of options. Columbia House Harbour (MK)- they have salmon, grilled shrimp and a lobster roll. I subbed out the fries for extra green beans because Disney doesn't let you just leave off a food. We also just ate the lobster part of the roll and left the bread. Flame Tree barbecue (AK)- They have a great selection. I had a platter and they don't have the sauce on the meat. I think we ate at Hollywood Brown Derby at the Studios and I got the salad. We ate at food booths during flower and garden at EPCOT. Peruse menus and go with a plan. I did miss eating ice cream, but the popcorn was a good option for a snack. Plan ahead and you'll be fine. Don't stress, it affects your blood sugars more than you think. I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Lewisc]

This poster was just diagnosed as pre-diabetic.
I highly doubt that a doctor would recommend nor that insurance would cover a CGM device.
I do think that self testing may be a good idea to get a daily reading for a period of time before the doctor throws meds at it.

Stello is Dexcoms new CGM. It is OTC, no prescription needed. It's NOT covered by insurance

Works for motivated patients, who can afford it.

Walking may help with blood sugars

 

[CarolynFH]

Piggy-backing on this thread - what about adult beverages for diabetics? DH and I don't drink much alcohol; when we do, it's usually at a Mexican restaurant, so I get a "skinny margarita," but I'd love to have more options.

 

[lanejudy]

Piggy-backing on this thread - what about adult beverages for diabetics? DH and I don't drink much alcohol; when we do, it's usually at a Mexican restaurant, so I get a "skinny margarita," but I'd love to have more options.

Not much is “diabetic friendly” for alcohol but maybe a drink that mixes with diet soda? Like rum+Diet Coke instead of rum+coke.

 

[CraigInPA]

An A1C test measures blood sugar over months, so a delay in the test will not significantly affect the results of a week long binge at Disney. If you're looking to ace the test, you're going to have to eat only vegetables and lean proteins. No sugar, no fried food, no greasy hamburgers, and no desserts (even the sugar free options aren't really very healthy) from now until you take the test.

 

[muppets3d]

An A1C test measures blood sugar over months, so a delay in the test will not significantly affect the results of a week long binge at Disney. If you're looking to ace the test, you're going to have to eat only vegetables and lean proteins. No sugar, no fried food, no greasy hamburgers, and no desserts (even the sugar free options aren't really very healthy) from now until you take the test.

yeah, delaying an A1C test for a week or even two after a binge will not really make a big difference in the result.

Take it from me - not many of the sweets at WDW are really worth the squeeze, tbh. Same goes for all the carby foods like the pizza, chicken fingers, fries, you name it. It's all basically the same food you can get at home.

As far as staying low sugar one of the easiest ways is to just stay away from the quick service restaurants and the EPCOT food kiosks, mostly they're full of cheap carbs.

 

[Lewisc]

Not much is “diabetic friendly” for alcohol but maybe a drink that mixes with diet soda? Like rum+Diet Coke instead of rum+coke.

Wine lowers the glycemic index of your meal. "diabetic friendly"

Avoid any sugary drinks. Blender drinks, Marguerite etc. Avoid any sugary mixers.

Vodka on the rocks instead of a screwdriver.

 

[raidermatt]

I have just been diagnosed as pre-diabetic and have 3 months to lower my A1C before resorting to medications. Unfortunately, my followup bloodwork is scheduled for the week after I return from a week at Disney. (My nutritionist suggested putting the test off for another week or two, which I can do).
For other reasons I am not following a keto diet, simply reducing carbs and upping protein, fiber and exercise. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? We'll be staying at the Beach Club with easy access to Epcot, so lots of eateries to choose from.

Given some of the horrible advice you have been given in this thread, I should probably just say these are questions you really should ask your doctor and nutritionist.

That said, some of the advice has been good.

It's not so much the restaurants you choose, but instead it's the menu choices and the portion control.

It sounds like you know what foods you should limit and which you should add. So wherever you are going, try to look at the menu in advance and make your decision before getting to the restaurant. It's easier to make good choices that way as opposed to the spur of the moment, especially in unfamiliar restaurants. So if you decide to head to Cosmic Ray's, pull out he phone and make your decision while walking over (or mobile order once you have your choice).

And then there is portion control, especially when it comes to simple carbs.

Diet drinks: While better than a plain old Coke, artificial sweeteners also cause problems. Your body wants to react to the "sugar" it is getting, but then the sugar never arrives. Best to try to eliminate these.

A1C is most definitely not BS. It's just one tool to measure how you are doing, but it is pretty accurate in doing so. And yes, it goes back about 3 months, so delaying a week won't change anything.

Alcohol: I know you didn't ask about this, but someone else did. Best to stay away if you are concerned about blood sugar. If its straight and not with mixers it probably won't directly raise your blood sugar. But alcohol is processed by the liver, and if your liver is breaking down alcohol it can interfere with insulin release. If you do end up on medication, this is a conversation you definitely want to have with your doctor. Drinking while on some diabetes medications can actually lead to dangerously low blood sugar.

 

[Lewisc]

Avoid sauces including marinated meats. Some marinades are based on vinegar, onions and spices.

Many are sugar based. Sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, honey etc

 

[muppets3d]

Best to get nutritional advice from diabetic nutritional experts and not theme park forums.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Best to get nutritional advice from diabetic nutritional experts and not theme park forums.

I'm sure they are doing that too, but I also get asking people who have actually been to these restaurants what good options they found there.