Diabetes: Gatorade vs Lucozade

[Hollytigs]

Here in the UK we have a sports drink called Lucozade, which is basically a glucose drink (26% glucose syrup). My mother in law is diabetic and is going to Florida in December. She is really panicking because she uses Lucozade all the time to keep her levels right and I don't think you can buy it in the US. Does anyone know if Gatorade is the same, or if there is something else the same? I don't want to tell her the wrong thing and it make her ill, but it would really put her mind at rest if there is an alternative!
Thanks for your help.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to a page from the Gatorade website with the nutrition information for Gatorade, so maybe you can compare. It's 14 gm of carbohydrate per 8 ounces (240ml) and each bottle contains 4 servings.

I didn't find information on the Lucozade website that looks like I could compare them, but maybe she can get an answer by writing to the company. It's also possible they could tell her if the item is available in the US or if she could have some shipped to her hotel.

One thing I found on the website that may be helpful is a powdered version of Lucozade. If she wrote to the company, she could probably find out how much of the powder to add to how much water to make a solution of Lucozade that would be the same as the pre-mixed liquid version she usually uses. She could carry the powder with her from the UK and just buy water here. Add the Lucozade powder to the water when she needs it, and she'd be all set.

 

[syko]

You can get Lucozade at the INTERNATIONAL FOOD CLUB.
4300 Lb McLeod Rd Orlando, FL 32811
Phone: (321) 281-4300

It is really easy to get to, just off the I4.
Personaly I do not like the Gatorade, as I find it to be slimy. I always go and get my Lucozade.

 

[SueM in MN]

You can get Lucozade at the INTERNATIONAL FOOD CLUB.
4300 Lb McLeod Rd Orlando, FL 32811
Phone: (321) 281-4300

It is really easy to get to, just off the I4.
Personaly I do not like the Gatorade, as I find it to be slimy. I always go and get my Lucozade.

 

[nobodies36]

Have you considered the Lucozade tablets? Easy to take with you (especially to the parks). Just a thought.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

In the US we have "Glucerna" for diabetics - I don't know if that's the same type of drink as Lucozade or not, but I wanted to mention it 'cause I've seen it advertised on TV.

 

[Hollytigs]

They are all really helpful replies, thanks! I will look into all those options!

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.lucozadeshop.co.uk/
You can buy it in the USA or have it shipped to your hotel in Florida. They have a loyalty club and you can ask them where in the USA that it is sold, worth a shot.

http://www.thebritishshoppe.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TBSRJTC&Screen=Store
The British Store in Orlando. FL should also carry lucozade.

http://www.google.com/products?q=lucozade&btnG=Search+Products&hl=en&show=dd
There is a wide variety of stores in the USA who could also ship for you to your hotel and avoid the international shipping fees. I would start with the company and see if they can help you find local stores.

 

[Hollytigs]

Thank you so much for that. Apparently she has been having sleepless nights worrying about it and she was so happy that I had found out this information for her. You guys are the best!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

There is also Powerade which tastes better than Gatorade. You can buy it in a powder and mix in a water bottle. We also have the little packages of Kool-aid that can be poured into a water bottle.
We also bring little packages of Skittles and Starburst to use to treat low blood sugars.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Syko's suggestion is excellent.

It may be also worth checking out the UK grocery store at Old Town in Kissimmee as they sell the likes of 'walkers crisps', 'bisto' etc so they may sell
Lucozade too.

Publix have an 'ethnic aisle' in their stores and sell the likes of PG Tips tea and Robinson's fruit cordial - not sure if they also have Lucozade though.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At WDW they sell Powerade, which is a product of the Coca Cola Company. Note there is an article about Powerade in Wikipedia and does compare it to Gatorade and Lucozade. It says that Powerade and Gatorade are very similar to the Lucozade Sport.

 

[syko]

Powerade and Gatorade my help the body the same way as Lucozade, but they taste nothing like it. (its a brit thing!!!!)
If you are used to Lucozade the others are a shock in taste, when desperate I have used Gatorade, but have never found a Powerade I could stomache.
Now needing a glass of Lucozade.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

It sounds like she drinks it when she is low? It can be heavy hauling that around, not to mention that it is hot in Florida. I've never been able to do hot drinks. Has she considered carrying glucose tabs? You can buy a huge jar of them at Wal Mart for a couple of bucks. Each one is 5 grams, so to treat a hypo I normally use three. It's very lightweight and they also make little tubes of them. I keep a filled tube in my purse at all times, and I am never caught without it when I have a low. Would this be another option for her?

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Lucozade_Sport_Powder_468g_Tub/5300003448/

They do make Lucozade powder in half kilo sized tubs and you could get iced water from the counter restaurants or carry a bottle and fill it with fountain water.