Diabetes and eating at WDW

[saintstickets]

We are planning a week long trip next fall for 3 adult couples to WDW. We will stay at BWV. One of the men has Type-1 diabetes (uses insulin) and one of the women was just diagnosed with diabetes (diet controlled treatment). For those that have experienced WDW with diabetes, what tips can you give us? If we have ADR's, should we notify the CM when making the reservation? Are there specific restaurants that would be better to go to or do all of them have plenty of options for our diabetic friends? Any and all comments are welcome. TIA.

 

[POOHsie]

Not sure if Disney has a dietary program for Diabetics. I am diabetic myself. I know what I can and cannot eat. You will find much to order at Disney. Usually Disney will have a no-sugar-added dessert, unsweetened iced tea and diet soda. Everything else on the menu is really controlled by the diabetic, such as consuming alcoholic drinks, bread, pasta or sweets, which should probably be kept to a bare minimum or avoided altogether.

 

[neile45]

I'm type 1, also. I think they person can choose what they what to eat. But, make sure he has a way to keep his insulin cool, or he can store his supplies at first aid in front of the park. Also, always have him carry glucose tabs or a snack, that way he doesn't have to wait in line to get sugar when he needs it. There is a lot of walking, and it will effect his glucose levels.

 

[momof1+1+2]

From what I've read on the boards, Disney will not supply carb counts for T1 diabetics. It is a liability for them so they don't do it.

Not sure how newly diagnosed your friend is but, if they can bring the Calorie King book that will help (also can do calorieking.com on your phone). If you do a search on this board they have a few other tips - bringing a measuring cup or asking for your portions to be measured is another option.

We are faced with this same issue and while we know what certain carbs are for things, it still seems overwhelming. Oh, another tip is look up the menu ahead of time. Granted you won't know Disney's serving size but you will have an idea of carbs per ratio.

 

[daneenm]

I would recommend an app for your phone, rather than carrying a book, if you can. If the person has some experience with counting carbs, we believe they will find Disney food pretty easy to estimate. I find that when I am armed with my phone app and general comparison points, we get very good numbers for DS while we are at Disney.

Do look out for desserts that are Sugar Free. They often have a carb count that is almost as high as the regular version.

 

[clanmcculloch]

My DH found that some chefs were willing to make alternative side dishes for him to help keep his overall carbs down. A vegetable dish was easier on his blood sugar than a potato dish. Of course in our case the chefs were already greeting us to help us with our kids' food allergies.

At Pop when we were discussing dairy free milk shakes with a chef for our girls, DH asked about a milk shake using sugar free ice cream. He happened to mention that he's lactose intollerant but usually is ok with smaller amounts of ice cream to which the chef pointed out that a milk free milkshake using the soy ice cream and rice milk that he uses for our girls is hardly more carbs than using sugar free ice cream. He needs to be careful to not use artificial sweeteners often as they can play havoc with his blood sugar at times so this was an excellent option for him.

DH is a T2 diabetic who takes Metformin but does work hard to watch his diet and definitely sees differences based on diet.

 

[momof1+1+2]

I would still carry my pocket size Calorie King just in case your phone dies or you don't get service in a certain area.

 

[free2div]

My husband is type 2 and takes no medication now for 3 yrs. Controls it be diet and exercise. About 2 weeks before your trip email the dietary division at WDW. My husband gets Diet Rootbeer Floats made for him at Sci Fi Diner and 50's Prime Time. Also Flame Tree Grill at AK will make ribs without sugar in the rub. They have to know in advance. Also look for burher or sandwiaches with multigrain buns. Most places have them. If not request them. The gluten free Mickey waffles are low carb and request sugar free syrup. We have found all the chefs are very accomodating if they know in advance. I have even gotten to talk to some prior to our visit. If you have any questions email me at free2div@aol.com

 

[kimsuenew]

My husband is type 2 and takes no medication now for 3 yrs. Controls it be diet and exercise. About 2 weeks before your trip email the dietary division at WDW. My husband gets Diet Rootbeer Floats made for him at Sci Fi Diner and 50's Prime Time. Also Flame Tree Grill at AK will make ribs without sugar in the rub. They have to know in advance. Also look for burher or sandwiaches with multigrain buns. Most places have them. If not request them. The gluten free Mickey waffles are low carb and request sugar free syrup. We have found all the chefs are very accomodating if they know in advance. I have even gotten to talk to some prior to our visit. If you have any questions email me at free2div@aol.com

This is really great information, thank you for sharing!

 

[Selket]

As a side note, the person in your party with type 1 may have different needs than the person with type 2. My son is type 1 and we don't avoid items with sugar except drinks (a lot of it like desserts has just as many carbs as the regular stuff). Most sit-down places should be able to accommodate meal requests for low sugar, less sauce, etc. I would note it on your ADR's and ask the chef to visit your table. CS places you can pretty much pick your meal off the menu the way you want it. You can always ask to speak to the manager if you need substitutions and they are usually good about it.

 

[saintstickets]

Thanks to all posts for your advice. I'll pass this on to my friends. How do those with diabetes feel about others in your party ordering items you cannot or should not eat?

 

[katybugsmom]

Thanks to all posts for your advice. I'll pass this on to my friends. How do those with diabetes feel about others in your party ordering items you cannot or should not eat?

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes 3 months before our wedding in 96. We have two children now, DD11 and DS5 and between DH and the children they eat something I can't all the time. After so long it doesn't bother me at all, in fact, some of the desserts they like taste far too sweet for me any more. If it's something I really like I can take one bite and stop and I'm satisfied. We had the DDP two years ago, but all of our meals ended up being buffets-we did character meals for the kids-we didn't realize they were all buffets, but it worked out fine. They had lots of vegetables and fruits to choose from as well as baked or grilled entrees. The only dessert I ate far too much of was the blueberry cobbler they had at Garden Grill in Epcot. My mom used to make the best blueberry cobbler when I was little and this tasted just like my mom's and I hadn't had it in years! Other than that I did great-all the walking, not to mention the heat in June helped control my sugars! I hope you guys have a great trip! We always do!

 

[starnightstarsky2000]

I am a Juv. Type 1 Diabetic but I am on the insulin pump so while I keep watch on what I eat after 17 years I have a really good idea what I can or can't do. However I do suggest that you make sure you have your friends talk with their doctors cause I am not sure when you will be going but the amount of heat and walking will majorly in pack their diabetes.

So help them to remember to check their blood sugar often. Also if worse happens and you are next to a food/snack cart and their blood sugar starts to drop just tell the person behind the cart and they will pass you some thing immediately.

This happened to us when we were there in Sept last year and they gave my hubby a sprite for me to drink down and when I did and tried to pay them for it they wouldn't let me. Also there are air condition places all over Disney and it really helps to get a diabetic into air condition when they are having a reaction.


Onto the question how I feel about people ordering things I can't eat, I really must say that on the pump I count carbs so everything is a trade off. However if say we are ordering ice cream and everyone orders a root beer float I will just order one with diet root beer (therefore cutting my carbs down to just the ones from the ice cream). Or get just a plain ice cream cone rather then one covered in choc and so forth. Diabetes is a pain to live with but there are a lot of worse disease out there and when you look at it that way it makes it easier to live with it.

 

[SanFranciscan]

I am a Type 1, just diagnosed in January, even though I am now 48 and thought that this only happened to children. Am I jealous of non-diabetics who don't have to worry about every carbohydrate? Of course. Life has never been fair. The diabetic who can't eat whatever he or she wants while you can may have other advantages in life that you wish you had.

 

[PatsMom]

I am a formerly insulin dependent type two. I now control with diet, exercise, oral meds and Byetta (an injectable). I really don't care if people around me order stuff I can't eat. Since I follow a carb counting type diet, I just sample sometimes. For example, I almost never order desert but I will have just a taste of my husband or daughter's desert.

Same if one of them orders a pasta dish, something I rarely get. I will ask for an extra bread plate and put a tiny portion on it.

Otherwise I am just used to sticking to my diet pretty much.

 

[kayrason333]

My son is a type 1 diabetic and when we were at DW last year, we did A LOT of carb guessing. They do not supply any carb counts, but we managed to keep it under control and still had a good time.

 

[KyAnn03]

My husband was just diagnosed with diabetes yesterday! Unfortunately that is ALL we know. He is taking metformin and we are going to WDW in just a little over a week. I'm so glad this forum here! You are all so helpful. Thank you for all of the great information.

 

[dan-tot]

I am a type 2 and I am surpised that I can be without pills and a injectable by exercise and diet. The one big problem I have is I am a carb addict. I Lovvvvve bread. I don't eat alot of pasta but I eat pizza not on a regular basis. I eat alot of Mikey Ds and such. I crave donots every once in a while but that is about it. I am maintaining my weight but I am thirty pds over my ideal weight. Its hard to change so that I can keep my arms and legs and most important my eyes. Someone once said You can stop drinking and you can stop smoking but you can't stop eating.

Dan

 

[brobrosmom]

Also look for burher or sandwiaches with multigrain buns. Most places have them. If not request them.

Is this an option at CS restaurants or just TS?

 

[honeydiane1953]

I am familiar with type 1 and type 2. With type 1 ALWAYS carry snacks. Keeping insulin cool and cool OJ will get a type 1 who 'bottoms" out faster than any food. Of course insulin adjusted to higher number.