Diabetic counter service food options

[AliceinMaryland]

So this is embarrassing to admit but my husband has diabetes and I'm not actually that great at knowing exactly what foods aren't that bad for him. What I mean is, I know he needs to stay away from the sugar. I'm very proud of him because he's done so well with cutting out the sweets, he's lost 35lbs this past year!!! I know he also needs to limit his pasta and bread. When he eats badly it gives him headaches and sometimes an upset stomach. He doesn't need to take any meds, just watch what he eats.

When we are in Disney I assume we will be eating alot in the parks. Can anyone tell me some good choices for him at the different restaurants at the parks? I need him to be at the top of his game and having a good time instead of feeling like crap from eating nothing but burgers and nuggets and pizza!!! What other options are there for diabetics, meal wise, not so interested in dessert wise?

 

[Nadjalu]

First let me say congrats to him for the weight loss!!

But I have to say, if he is a diabetic and not on meds he is controlling it thru his diet...??? Right?
That is the only way since he isn't on meds.

So if that is the case, he should eat how he is eating at home.

Take a look at the menus and discuss it with him. I assume since he is doing so well he knows what foods to stay away from.

In the meantime, if you post over on the disabilities forum they will help you out further. Many people have food issues that discuss them there, tons of info there.

Good luck and have a great vacation.

 

[vanillarum]

My first advice would be to consult a diabetic nutritionist before you go. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 52 years, and the ins and outs of diabetic dieting can be mind boggling. Learn what you should and should not eat from a professional. Good luck and congrats on the weight loss. Diabetic dieting is a lifelong commitment.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I too am type-1 since childhood (about 30 years now and counting...) and it's fairly easy to stay on track in WDW. There are better options in all of the parks than burgers, pizza, fried food. There are entree salads, barbecued chicken and/or rib platters, lighter sandwiches, all kinds of things available. Just remember to ask for the barbecue with no sauce (too much corn syrup/sugar in that).

What works for one person will not work for another, of course - and the prior advice about checking with your doctor/nutritionist beforehand is good - but some things I've used to keep myself on track include eating small meals more often (since I'm not necessarily more active at WDW but the activity comes at a more steady pace as opposed to periodic, like at home); carrying crackers, granola bars, etc for quick pick-me-ups; planning what I eat if I know that I will want a treat (dole whip is a weakness of mine, I eat a low-or-no-carb meal and head straight for a dole whip dessert); making sure the carbs/sugars I do eat are as beneficial as possible - fiber, whole grain, etc, when possible; being mindful of my hydration level.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

I too am type-1 since childhood (about 30 years now and counting...) and it's fairly easy to stay on track in WDW. There are better options in all of the parks than burgers, pizza, fried food. There are entree salads, barbecued chicken and/or rib platters, lighter sandwiches, all kinds of things available. Just remember to ask for the barbecue with no sauce (too much corn syrup/sugar in that).

Ok yes this is what I wanted to hear! He likes rib platters and BBQ chicken and eats quite a bit of salads and that is much better for him than fries and pizza which will make anyone, even if they don't have diabetes, feel like crap day after day. I guess I was just worried it would be stressful to find something for him but you've made me feel lots better.

His dr says it will go away if he loses more weight, is this true? Or is he just telling me that because that's what he thinks? He says when people have gastric bypass surgery, their diabetes goes away. He didn't have the surgery but he was using that as an example of how when you lose weight, you can be diabetes free, obviously if it's not the type you have when you are born with it.

Thank you for referring me to the disabilities board. I will head over there in a minute!

 

[PictureJumpr]

My primary endocrinologist was involved in a major study in the mid-late 90s that did find significant improvement in diabetics' ability to control blood sugars and maintain healthy glucose levels after a 10% reduction in body weight, and increased improvement beyond that. For a 200-pound person, that is a 20lb loss, entirely doable for most people with a little work. For most of the type-IIs in the study, their diabetes did 'disappear' - that is to say, they no longer had problems with blood sugar control and so long as they kept active and kept an eye on nutrition, they were considered to be diabetes-free. If they'd gone back to old habits and/or began eating hershey bars for lunch, of course, the results would not have held up...

Now, as for better CS meal options by park for a diabetic or anyone looking to avoid carb overload:

ALL
For Snacks - most ice cream carts in the parks have frozen bananas with a very thin layer of chocolate, and all have NSA fruit bars (splenda-sweetened); all four parks have produce stands which sell whole fruit, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, and similar options; all four parks have turkey legs available; most CS locations offer yoplait light yogurt (mostly strawberry flavor) and many have some sort of pre-packaged NSA cookie/brownie (but these are definitely *not* on my favorites list...)

MK
Cosmic Ray's - barbecue chicken and/or ribs (no sauce, please) with mashed potatoes and green beans
Pecos Bill's - taco salad (don't eat the bowl)
For Snacks - turkey legs; NSA ice cream at the parlor on main street; NSA cookies or brownies at main street bakery

EPCOT
Sunshine Seasons - rotisserie chicken or grilled salmon with a side; Seared Tuna over mixed greens (salad); Asian-style things like Mongolian Beef or Thai Chicken with rice or vegetables
Germany CS - bratwurst with sauerkraut
Kringla (Norway) - club or ham-and-apple sandwiches
Morocco CS - shawarma (lamb or beef) with sides
For Snacks - NSA ice cream at the fountain cafe; ham-and-cheese croissant at bakery in France; veiled maiden (very low added sugar) or NSA chocolate mousse in Norway; yogurt with berries or sugar-free jello at Sunshine Seasons

DHS
Backlot Express - grilled turkey-and-cheese served with carrot sticks
Fairfax Fare - barbecued chicken or ribs with beans and slaw (be careful of cole slaw - LOTS of sugar in it)
For Snacks - turkey legs; bagel-and-cream-cheese; NSA ice cream scoops

AK
Flametree BBQ - barbecued chicken and/or ribs; salad with barbecued chicken
Pizzafari - Hot/grilled italian deli sandwich with carrot sticks
Yak and Yeti CS - mandarin chicken salad
Tamu Refreshments - tuna pita sandwich with apples or chips
For Snacks - NSA cookies at bakery


HTH!

 

[pumba]

I am type 2 and I enjoyed myself at Disney and the meals were not a big problem. I love to look over the menus before we go and decide what I will eat even before I go.
Why not show him some of the options that are available for counter service. Our favorite places in Disney are MK..Cosmic Rays. SO great are the options there....in Epcot. I could eat my way around the showcase and still be good.. in DHS, not as great to eat so I eat a better breakfast in our resort and then eat a slight lunch at one of their restaurants.
AK the pizzafari is a good place besides the pizza there they have other great choices. Also BBQ Flame Tree. YUMMY. remember he will be walking off alot of his carbs so make sure he gets snacks in between his meals.. and plenty of water too...
GOOD luck and enjoy yourselves and get him to look over the menus ...he will be happy that he is included in the selections.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

Thank you everyone for your help!! I feel alot less stressed now

Is there a helpful site that lists the menu's or do I look on the actual Disney website???

Thanks picturejumpr, that was a great help!!

 

[vanillarum]

I believe the ALLEARS website will give you a list of menus. Good luck.