DH just diagnosed with diabetis

[disneyterri]

My husband was just diagnosed with diabetis two days ago. We're going to DW in 5½ weeks. I'm hoping someone out there can give me some tips on what he can eat at the restaurants there. Do any of them have special menus for diabetics? It's hard enough figuring his diet out when I'm doing the meal preparing. I'm very worried about eating out since you really don't know what's in the food or how much.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[merryweather's twin]

First let me say how sorry I am to hear this.... I would call the Disney dine number and tell them they will put it on all your PS and give you the phone numbers to call ahead if they know that there is a problem. The chef's at WDW are great and will help make his trip just as fun as everyone elses. (even the candy stores down there have sugar free option!) Have a great trip!

 

[Eeyore1954]

Hi -- tell your DH welcome to the diabetics club. Ugh -- it's not fun.

It's very important that you and your DH learn how to count carbohydrates -- that's what's going to cause his blood sugars to fluctuate. Too many and the blood sugar goes way high; too few and it will drop too low.

Rule 1: Buy a blood glucose testing meter and test strips. Test regularly; test often. Almost any will do fine. I would look for one that lets you test anywhere, not just the fingers. After awhile, your fingers get tired of being "stuck" to draw blood.

Rule 2: Learn to count carbs. Here's a web site that will help you: http://www.mendosa.com/gi.htm

Rule 3: Be careful at WDW. Walking, riding, excitement and so on at Disney can easily and quickly use up carbs/blood sugar. I often found myself running lower than usual when I am at home. So an occasional splurge is ok -- but note -- OCCASIONAL. Don't over-do it.

Rule 4: ASK. Call ahead to the restaurant and ask if they have meals or special plates for people with diabetes. I do this and most of the places are very accommodating and helpful. I'm even going to the Ice Cream Social in Nov. -- having some low-fat, sugar free ice cream.

Hope this helps. If you want, PM me and I can share more.

 

[disneyterri]

Thank you Eeyore1954 - That information was very helpful. I didn't even think about the fact that all that walking may cause his sugar to go too low. I have a LOT to learn about this, and I'm a bit nervous.

 

[josierac]

Terri,
you can e-mail ahnalira from www.ourlaughingplace.com

She goes to WDW very often and is a insulin dependent diabetic. She will be able to help you.

 

[Eeyore1954]

DisneyTerri -- don't be nervous. Admittedly, it is scary at first and there is a lot to learn. The good news is that you know and knowing gives you an edge on the disease.

If you do a search on the Internet on "diabetes" you'll find tons of sites, plus lots of message boards and chats. There are lots of people with lots of knowledge who are ready and willing to share with you. You are not in this alone.

Have a wonderful time on your vacation.

 

[PieInYourEye]

I am in my early 40s and I have type II and have learned a lot by research on the internet. I do have a funny story though...

My last trip we stayed at Riverside. I'd heard that they have this great banana stuffed french toast. So, I decided to have that and asked for sugar free syrup. LOL What a joke!!! Here I was, trying to be so careful about my sugar intake, so much so that I asked for the sugar free syrup... and the french toast is coated in sugar and cinnamon. There was so much sugar on this french toast!!!!!!! I've never seen so much sugar on french toast in my life! All we could do is sit and laugh at it. It was delish! I picked out the inners and left what looked like a sugar/cinnamon shell.

When I first found out that I was Type II, I thought all the worst! I thought I was one foot in the grave. I saw it as a death sentence and saw myself as a failure! I was worried constantly and cried for a week! Then, I found out that I had some control over it. That I could control it with diet and exercise. I'm not on medication, eat healthier and each week I go to 5 hours of different kinds of aerobics classes: dance, kickboxing, step aerobics and I am loving life! I joined my local gym and am far more active now than I have been in the past 20 years.

If I could offer any advice... Don't fear it! Embrace it and take it as an opportunity to get healthier and take very good care of yourself. You're worth it and you deserve it!