Diabetic in Disneyland

[stubby]

So I have been recently diagnosed with Diabetes. I am wondering what others who are diabetic do when they are there? I know of all the bad stuff to eat...now I have to learn what is healthy. Please help me.

 

[nikkislaght]

Stress is very bad for diabeties.. so try to avoid being stressed at ALL times.. ok, I know that is not possible.. and in bad taste, but I have a had diabeties for 10 yrs so you become a bit desensitezed to someone that has just been dianoized..

SO, what to do.... Bring your own food... I do..

Low GI foods .. will get you through.
Examples of carbohydrate-containing foods with a low GI include dried beans and legumes (like kidney beans and lentils), all non-starchy vegetables, some starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, most fruit, and many whole grain breads and cereals (like barley, whole wheat bread, rye bread, and all-bran cereal).

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods.htm

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/myths/
Most foods are ok for you too eat.... as long as it is part of your healthy diet.

If you are on meds or shots.. make sure you have enough, and then more.. always a bad thing to be somewhere and have to leave because you forgot your meds..

Take care of your feet.. very important to do that... not only because they will hurt after a long day.. but because walking all that way, will have an impact , circulations wise...


Have a great trip .......

 

[Escape2Disney]

I'm not diabetic, but do have a fair share of health related food restrictions. I've found it's easier to deal with at table service restaurants. You can ask to speak to the chef and ask for modifications based on your needs. You can even call ahead if that works better for you. Either way, Disney is really good at helping in this regard.

 

[JoanneAZ]

There are a lot of healthy options in the parks. Many of the restaurants have salads available, get dressing on the side as they are much higher in calories, fat and sugar than many people realize. If you want smaller portions, you can order off the children's menu in most restaurants. You can get fruits and veggies at the snack stands for snacking between meals. I avoid what I think of as quick carbs- white bread, pasta, cooked starchy veggies, fruit juices, etc. I also try to keep my portion size down.

Menu information for the restaurants in the parks and DTD is available on the internet. I usually look at the menus before I go so I have some idea of what and where I want to eat. Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions or changes, the worst thing they can say is no.

I always make sure I have my testing kit with me and that it is well supplied. As the previous poster suggested, take more meds and testing supplies with you than you need for your trip. I always do extra testing of my blood sugar when I'm eating new to me foods or if I'm exercising more or less than usual. My insurance only covers so many testing strips per month so I choose to buy extra out of pocket (I've gotten good prices and had good experiences buying through Amazon). Frequent testing has taught me a lot about which foods trigger high sugars for me and which ones I should eat in smaller portions.

Plan ahead, test often and have fun!

 

[tupperlove]

Hi, I am type 2 and when@ home I can be a couch potato but while @ Disney I average 6 miles of walking each day! So I struggle with low blood sugar while in Disney. I always keep life savers in my bag along with nuts or trail mix. Often I can find fresh fruit like grapes, pineapple or watermelon while in the park. I also always bring a water bottle and sugar free lemonade, kool-aid or iced tea sticks (like Crystal light) so I'm not tempted to have soda if I'm full of water or am craving something sweet. Have a great time I'll be there 4 Halloween!

 

[Mister Skellington]

Hi, I am type 2 and when@ home I can be a couch potato but while @ Disney I average 6 miles of walking each day! So I struggle with low blood sugar while in Disney.

My wife really struggles with low blood sugar at DL as well. All that walking! In fact her insulin intake really drops as a result.

 

[stubby]

Thank you guys so much. Didn't even think about checking the online menus for what was available. Going to do that now.

 

[AussieCaribou]

Hi Stubby,

I have been diabetic for a few years now. I am very lucky in that I am under control by medication and diet/exercise. However, I had only been diagnosed a few months before I got the opportunity to fly to the States and go to the pre-opening event for Startours 2. I was so excited but was also so nervous about my new 'issue' with food.

So, here's my take. I do not take anything special with me to the parks. With all of the food options, I can always find something to eat. I don't worry about going to work out on park days...I will be doing well over my 10,000 steps - lol. And there is no reason for me to feel like I can't 'do' Disney like I would pre-diagnosis...

Now the issue for me giving you advice is that your diabetes will be different from mine...but here you go:

Take care of your feet! Make sure that you have good footwear and SOCKS! Blisters are a real no no.

I get tired faster now, so I make sure that I plan for that in the parks...we don't do the train first up now...we do it when I would like a bit of a foot rest.

Take a look at the menus online. Don't feel that you have to have just the salad. There are lots of really nice (though still fattening) diabetic friendly options. I love Bangle BBQ for a quick lunch. Flo's was great when I went last year. Also, at the table service, you can ask to talk with the chef if you need something modified (for example, extra cooked veg rather than mashed potato).

What!?! I can't have all the tigger tails I want? What about candied apples or rice crispy mickeys? Okay, so this is the sad part. I can't just eat every one of those sugary, high GI snacks. But, my doc and my dietitian both said that it was fine to select one treat a day...and they gave me a long list of what is better than other things...so I usually have a mickey ice cream midday. Then I revert to fruit, pickles, and Bangle BBQ meat on a stick. Oh, and for me, dole whips are off the food list. Tried to eat one last time I was there and ended up having to go back to the hotel for a few hours. sigh...

If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

Good luck and have a great time at Disney!

~ Aussie Caribou

 

[Mister Skellington]

AC,
Great post and 100% correct. My wife pretty much eats what she wants at DL.
All that walking is really fantastic for her. We joked she needs to walk dogs for a living so she can "cure" her diabetes. (Not really, but you get the idea) She really does end up low WAY more than high there.

Great point about the feet as well. Good socks, good shoes, and we also use a product called "Body Glide" runners use it to prevent blisters. We apply every morning before we hit the parks. It goes on like deodorant and lasts all day. I use it myself. We are open to close kind of visitors and never get blisters when we use it. Fantastic product.