DH Has Insulin Pump...HELP

[dahuffy]

Hope somebody can help me out here,our trip is fast approaching. Here's my situation; DH has an Insulin Pump which means he has to Count Carbs every time he eats. It's not that difficult at home because the Nutrition Facts are printed on everything and he uses a book for the resturaunts that we eat at.
Does anybody know of a site that I can go to that may list some of the Nutrition facts for some of the more popular food items. It would make our trip sooo much easier and enjoyable.

He has been insulin dependent for 13 years,on the pump for about 5 years now. So he's used to "Guessing" how many carbs to count. But it would just be a lot easier because of marinades and all the other unseen things that are in the foods he eats.

 

[Ladybugsy]

Hope somebody can help me out here,our trip is fast approaching. Here's my situation; DH has an Insulin Pump which means he has to Count Carbs every time he eats. It's not that difficult at home because the Nutrition Facts are printed on everything and he uses a book for the resturaunts that we eat at.
Does anybody know of a site that I can go to that may list some of the Nutrition facts for some of the more popular food items. It would make our trip sooo much easier and enjoyable.

I doubt that something like this exists, but I would imagine if you looked on allearsnet.com, and decided just what he was going to eat that the chef would be able to get that information for you. My 14 year old daughter JUST got her pump yesterday and will be wearing it starting on the 9th. I'm so excited.
If someone has alternate information where carb counts may be available, please let us know. Also, the disabilities board may be of help. Maybe we should ask there.

 

[mefordis]

Hope somebody can help me out here,our trip is fast approaching. Here's my situation; DH has an Insulin Pump which means he has to Count Carbs every time he eats. It's not that difficult at home because the Nutrition Facts are printed on everything and he uses a book for the resturaunts that we eat at.
Does anybody know of a site that I can go to that may list some of the Nutrition facts for some of the more popular food items. It would make our trip sooo much easier and enjoyable.

Though I am not diabetic I try to eat as if I were, because I think it's just healthier. I never look up things, I just stick with the basics: fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, eggs. I avoid white sugar, processed foods, white flour.

 

[jiminy14]

My DD is also an insulin dependent diabetic but not on the pump. I am not sure about carb counting information but on our last trip a family was dining at the Plaza Restaurant at the same time that we were. I overheard the mom tell the hostess that one of her children had food allergies and she needed to know the ingredients in the menu offerings. The hostess brought over a large white binder that contained all of the items on the menu and their ingredients. Not sure if the carbs are listed but some of the info in the binder might be of use. You can also ask to speak to the chef at any of the TS restaurants. Our DD is a vegetarian and we have spoken to the chefs at several restaurants in order to have "veggie" meals prepared for her.

 

[bicker]

Yes, most of the restaurants do have a binder like that. I've seen it at Spoodles, for example.

 

[zulaya]

My DH has an insulin pump as well. He's been a Type I diabetic for nearly 25 years, so for him, it's easy to see a portion and estimate what the carbs are.

I suggest you read one of the books you have right now and see if it has a section on regular food. For example, I know a small baked potato is X amount of carbs and a certain length. A glass of milk is so many carbs. You get the idea.

If you familiarize yourself with the carb counts of different foods and their portion sizes, you can probably do a very good estimate at mealtimes and snack times.

Having a pump does have a bit of a learning curve, but the nice part is that if test later and your readings are a little higher than you want, you can give yourself a little more insulin to get the readings where you want them to be.

Good luck.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

One thing you may think of doing is when making your ADR's for dining, tell them you have one guest who needs low carb/sugar free AND that it's for a Diabetic. Then when they speak to you at the restaurant, you can speak to the chef to get the info on carbs and your choices. WDW reservations and chefs are very helpful when it comes to things like this.

 

[gonzalj1]

I am also a pumper. What a change to my lifestyle! A fabulous experience as your husband probably agrees.

I carry around a book from CalorieKing.com that has not only meals from many major restaurant chains but also gives carb counts (plus calories, fat etc.) for just about every other food there is. For instance, a small baked potatoe is 27 carbs. You end up having to estimate the portion sizes but it turns out to be a great way to remain flexible when eating out. I highly recommend it! The book costs less than $10

Also, not sure if the pumpers here know but MiniMed just released a Paradigm 522 pump that works in conjunction with their continuos glucose monitoring system to take BS levels every 5 minutes and alert you to highs and lows. Eventually their plan is to have the glucose monitor automatically adjust the basal rates as you go through your day to keep your BS within your preset targets. Cool Stuff! Check out minimed.com for more.

(No I am not an employee of Minimed. Just a huge fan!)

 

[DisOrBust]

In the same boat as Zulaya. You will get good at carb counting with a pump. If you did exchanges in the past "usually 1 excnage is 15 gms of carb. The buffets is where it can a bit dicey since it isn't portioned controlled. At TS the portions are better controlled. IMHO, stay away from Pizza, kills him everytime no matter how we bolus.

 

[DisOrBust]

any idea when that pump will be out we upgrade in January but could wait awhile.

 

[zurgswife]

Hope somebody can help me out here,our trip is fast approaching. Here's my situation; DH has an Insulin Pump which means he has to Count Carbs every time he eats. It's not that difficult at home because the Nutrition Facts are printed on everything and he uses a book for the resturaunts that we eat at.
Does anybody know of a site that I can go to that may list some of the Nutrition facts for some of the more popular food items. It would make our trip sooo much easier and enjoyable.

Hello

I have 2 T1 kids both on pumps. First, disney is a very difficult place to get carb counts from, we have been trying for 2 years to get information and basically they are mum about it... we started a website disneywithdiabetes.com and it is now merging with deb's allearsnet http://allearsnet.com/pl/diabetes.htm it hasn't been officially released yet so this is the only link to get there and you will have to cut and paste as I can't get it to work any other way. It is some information and we hope it will get people to press disney to hear our needs as carb counting diabetics. I suggest the calorie king book as a reference to estimate your carbs from.

We have visited 7 times with 2 T1's and are about to imbark upon our 8th trip...it is doeable just gets frustrating at times.

 

[mickey0624]

Hope somebody can help me out here,our trip is fast approaching. Here's my situation; DH has an Insulin Pump which means he has to Count Carbs every time he eats. It's not that difficult at home because the Nutrition Facts are printed on everything and he uses a book for the resturaunts that we eat at.
Does anybody know of a site that I can go to that may list some of the Nutrition facts for some of the more popular food items. It would make our trip sooo much easier and enjoyable.

Hi,
My two year old is also on an insulin pump. We just got back from Disney about 3 weeks ago. Although there is really no where to find the exact carbs of each meal, and although cast members try it is difficult for them to find that info. the best advice I can give you is to let your waitress know BEFORE you order that you have a diabetic. There are items that are low sugar or low carb at most restaurants that are not on the menu. It was a great help to us, because we were able to order sugar free ice cream or low carb desserts and he never knew the difference. Just understand that his/her numbers are probably not going to be perfect for a couple of days.

 

[zurgswife]

Hi,
My two year old is also on an insulin pump. We just got back from Disney about 3 weeks ago. Although there is really no where to find the exact carbs of each meal, and although cast members try it is difficult for them to find that info. the best advice I can give you is to let your waitress know BEFORE you order that you have a diabetic. There are items that are low sugar or low carb at most restaurants that are not on the menu. It was a great help to us, because we were able to order sugar free ice cream or low carb desserts and he never knew the difference. Just understand that his/her numbers are probably not going to be perfect for a couple of days.

Just remember that low carb and sugar free doesn't mean no carb. Sugar free ice cream is typically 13carbs per 1/2 cup serving and regular ice cream is 17carbs....I think I'd go for the regular ice cream. If you were T2 this would matter but to T1 diabetics it really doesn't make a whole lot of difference to go sugar free vs regular sugar.

 

[lynr]

Also, not sure if the pumpers here know but MiniMed just released a Paradigm 522 pump that works in conjunction with their continuos glucose monitoring system to take BS levels every 5 minutes and alert you to highs and lows. Eventually their plan is to have the glucose monitor automatically adjust the basal rates as you go through your day to keep your BS within your preset targets. Cool Stuff! Check out minimed.com for more.

(No I am not an employee of Minimed. Just a huge fan!)

I called about this pump for my husband to upgrade as it sounds great, but Minimed said it hasn't been approved by Aetna for the supplies or something so it would run us about $1000 per month. I guess we will wait.

 

[gonzalj1]

The minimed pump is available today. If you're already a Minimed pump user they have a pathway program which gives you a substantial discount on the pump itself.

The woman I spoke with on the phone told me that they expect to have it covered (supplies and all) by most insurance companies in January or February of 2007.

Hope that helps.

 

[BlindTyldak]

My DN3 is diabetic and the chef came out and talked with her mother before every meal at every restaurant. They will really bend over backwards to make sure there's no unexpected counts in their dinner and will even specially prepare foods if necessary (though if you have ADR's, you may wish to give them a heads up).

 

[ColetteN]

OP - not sure what type of pump your DH has, but my DD8 has an Animas pump. It's great, because it has a food database where it lists popular foods and the carb counts (for example, Burger King is in there, with the more popular choices - chicken tenders for my DD!). It helps us estimate them when we're out somewhere that is unable to provide carb counts. There is also room for you to program your own foods in there. For example, when you figure out nutrition for home made lasagna, you can add it into the database. It's great for controling my DD's numbers.

Please, visit Zurgswife's site disney with diabetes. There is some very helpful information there. I have spoken with a nice gentleman, Joel, in food service that has told me at all CS restaurants, they don't keep master nutrition lists, but for anything that is 'brought' in premade, the manager of the CS place can show you the package to get the carb counts.

Like a previous poster said as well, the little book from calorie king with the counts is very very useful. We carry it with us a great deal. My DD8 has been pumping for 8 months, and carb counts for favorites or frequents have become memorized. Our trip in 2 weeks will be our first WDW vacation with the pump (and diabetes for that matter).

Enjoy your vacation.

Colette

 

[bettybeth]

You may find some more advice on the disabilty board also. There is a carbohydrates counting thread and it's called "Diabetes - How about a carbohydrate counting thread?" I don't know how to cut and paste but right now it's on page 4. Actually I'll go bump it to put it back on page 1!

Also, Zurgswife, I just read your new info on All ears and it's wonderful. Thank you for all the trailblazing that you do for Type 1's!!!

 

[Zurg]

Also, Zurgswife, I just read your new info on All ears and it's wonderful. Thank you for all the trailblazing that you do for Type 1's!!!

Thanks it is a work in progress and we are happy to share it.

I have a favor to ask all you type 1 families out there.

Write Disney.

The following link kind of explains the deal. The guy to write's name is there as is the letter I sent him and a few other executives in Mouseville. This guy flat out told me he had NEVER heard form a type 1 family saying carb information is important.

I think we need to whisper in his EARS, a lot.

http://allearsnet.com/pl/diabetes.htm#31

Oh and I strongly encorage T1 families to share diabetes info on the ADA web board (this is the parents baord url but I figure you can work out how to find the other forums...) : http://community.diabetes.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=adaparents

 

[gonzalj1]

Zurg,

I agree. Excellent site! I for one will be sending a letter Mr. Jones' way. I suggest we all send one!

Whether or not your diabetic this seems an easy way to raise Disney's attention and help some of us who need the info feel a little more at ease while at WDW. After all even McDonald's and the rest of the fast food joints provide this info... Mickey can too!

For those of you who don't want to click over to allearnet here's the address and the sample letter Zurg posts there.

Mr. Mark Jones
Walt Disney World Services for Guests with Disabilities
Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Dear Mickey;

You do a great job with many disabilities. Maybe you can make the same effort for folks/families with Type 1 diabetes.

The thing we need most is counts of carbohydrates in the foods you sell so we can give our kids/selves the amount of insulin they/we need. We are not crazy Atkins dieters gone wild. It is a Life Safety Issue Mickey.

I spoke with cast member Mark Jones of Walt Disney World Services for Guests with Disabilities. Mark said that he has not heard from guests that diabetes and carb counts is a concern.

Given my experience trying to surface the issue it is no surprise. It took me two years asking who is responsible for disability issues to get through to him. I expect that most folks give up in that time frame.

Here is a quick sample of comments from March 16, '06 on the American Diabetes Association parents forum:

One parent asked:
1) Has anyone visited WDW with their Type 1 child? Any tips? We are *considering* a visit this summer. But yikes, how to do with a 6 yr old with diabetes?
2) Related to question 1. How do you figure out how many carbs are in restaurant meals that you can't find listed in any of the carb guide books?

Another wrote back:
I went to Disney on February this year, 6 months after T1 diagnosis. I was extremely scared dealing with diabetes. Anyway, Disney was very stressful for me but My son loved it.

A third added:
We went to Disney over New Years. Our son is on the pump. Disney is great and very accommodating, but my biggest, really my only, complaint is that they have no carb counts for their food. You can bring in food of course, but at some point you will probably be buying Disney food.

So, on this one day, the idea of going to Disney with a type 1 child brought out the feelings of, “Yikes, Scared, Stressful, no carb counts.”

Some quick facts over 20 million children and adults have diabetes. Of that somewhere between 1 and 2 million are type 1.

One to Two million people who’s family thinks “Yikes, Scared, Stressful, no carb counts” when they consider vacationing at Disney World.

These kids typically do three to five thousand finger sticks, injections and/or infusions a year. That hurts a kid.

Just give us carb counts. It is the right thing to do and you will make more Mickey. Notice the one parent saying they carry in food so they know the carb count? You are loosing food sales Mickey my pal.

What do you say Mickey? How about taking some stress, yikes and scared off these families and help make these families Disney Vacation Magic?