Disney with Diabetes

[SkyGirl]

Hi! I was just diagnosed yesterday with Type 2. This has come as a shock, of course, and being that I know NOTHING about this, has become a huge learning experience. I bought a few books and now I'm wondering about eating at Disney. DD and I are going Nov 30 for eleven days. Any advice would be so appreiciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SeaSpray]

DH has diabetes and I just wanted to say that almost every sit-down restaurant has a sugar-free dessert on their menu. If it's not printed on the menu, just ask your waiter. The chefs are usually more than happy to put something sugar-free together for you. And I have to say, they're usually very delicious (since I can't resist taking a taste-test). LOL

 

[kimbac3]

Hi! I was just diagnosed yesterday with Type 2. This has come as a shock, of course, and being that I know NOTHING about this, has become a huge learning experience. I bought a few books and now I'm wondering about eating at Disney. DD and I are going Nov 30 for eleven days. Any advice would be so appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hey! I know you! Welcome to the Disabilities Board!! Everyone here is very helpful!!

Here's a couple of places that might help:

http://www.allears.net/din/special.htm

http://allears.net/pl/diabetes.htm (This one is mainly type 1 but still useful)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1587710188/debsunoffiwaltdi/103-3453370-3194260 (This is a "Passporter" book written for people with varying disabilities. I haven't read it - but it's on my list)

I've never had a problem with the food at Disney. The chefs are more then happy to accommodate you. Some places you may need to call in advance. I'm sure someone with more info with chime in soon!!

Kim

 

[SueM in MN]

There are some links to past threads about diabetes in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs that might be helpful to you.
There are quite a few people with diabetes posting here will give you some good firsthand advice.
My secondhand advice would be to realize that your blood sugar might vary a lot more than usual from both the heat and the activity. So test more often and make sure to have food with you in case your blood sugar goes down and you need to treat it.

 

[mechurchlady]

Mom has diabetes and I sometimes have low sugars. I have tested a dozen times in the past month where as mom, who is on pills and diet, has not tested in months. You will need to study the information out there about diabetes and learn to read your body. By the time your trip comes you will be well knowledged in diabetes. You will be able to know when you are getting too low or high and will adjust for things like baked beans (they lower sugars, lol). You will learn what things you can eat that are really a great taste experience.

It was overwhelming at first for me who never cooked and suddenly had a bed ridden old lady and the shots because her sugars go high. Now we have a set diet, excercise sort of, and she knows what she can and cannot do.

As for the parks they offer a wide variety of foods that diabetics can eat. Some things are specially made at table service restaurants and some are prepackaged items. Not everything to eat is no the menus at WDW. Sometimes if you are really good then you can have a bite of chocolate cake off a friend's plate. Mom gets once a week a special treat like a chocolate shake, a quarter of a piece of chocolate cake or a third of a piece of pie. She knows when she has had to much for sure.

Hugs and dont worry.

 

[Selket]

My son has type 1 diabetes which is rather different from type 2 - but many in my family have type 2. I think the level of health care and education offered to type 2 diabetics in this country is HORRIBLE for the most part. I really implore you to seek out the finest doctor possible. I'm just amazed and horrified at what passes for diabetes education for the type 2 people I know.

You've gotten a lot of good advice. I'll add that you should watch to see how some artificial sweeteners like sugar alcohols (malitol/sorbitol) affect you - they can give a horrible case stomach/bowel issues. (several of the sugar free desserts at WDW use sugar alcohols - especially this one brownie - which tastes great but can leave you in the bathroom for your vacation!)

Also you might want to research something called the "glycemic index" of foods. Foods with a lower GI will usually have a less sudden effect on your blood sugar - even if the carbs are the same amount. (sort of like cotton candy would be high GI while a slice of whole wheat bread is lower). http://www.glycemicindex.com/

Be the squeaky wheel and make sure if you're given a "meal plan" that it fits your lifestyle so that you'll stick with it! It is fine to ask you to make some changes but make them work with you to hammer out a meal plan that you'll stick with

 

[PatsMom]

Hi! I was just diagnosed yesterday with Type 2. This has come as a shock, of course, and being that I know NOTHING about this, has become a huge learning experience. I bought a few books and now I'm wondering about eating at Disney. DD and I are going Nov 30 for eleven days. Any advice would be so appreiciated.

Thanks in advance!

See if your doctor will refer you to a certfied diabetes educator. I see one and she is wonderful! Since seeing her I have the best control of my blood sugar since I was diagnosed many years ago. I wish I had asked for a referral years sooner but it wasn't offered until I started on insulin. If I had known what I was missing I would have gone even if my insurance didn't pay.

I don't necessarily watch for sugar or sugar free. As others have posted, some of the artificial sweeteners will cause digestive problems and I am definitely in that category. I watch carbs. If I am going to want some kind of dessert, I eat a salad or other low or no carb choice for dinner. I'll also cut carbs by eating a burger with a knife and fork and only eating half the bun, or half the bread on a sandwich. I have rarely asked a chef about special dietary needs since I don't do sugar free (except for beverages - most at Disney have Equal if they are sugar free so make sure you can tolerate that).

Also, as others have posted, you may actually need more carbs at Disney than usual. Especially on our August trips I find that I have to watch for lows. I carry cake icing gel because I find that more palatable than the glucose tablets. But I haven't had to use it. DD and DH know the signs and can usually find me some soda or juice to get some carbs into me. Make sure you drink plenty of water - but that applies to everyone!

 

[mechurchlady]

I have heard of cake icing gel being used in place of glucose tablets. A lot of people do not know about the glycemic index. It used to be a list of do and donts instead of a balancing act type of diet. Definitely read and learn the glycemic index.

My aunt brings mom sugar free cookies that have more calories than two oreos. I rather give mom a couple bites of chocolate cake that them diet cookies that are full of carbs.

 

[sandisuze]

I have type 2 and have been going to Disney for years with little problems
If you aren't going till Nov. you have plenty of time to get an eating plan together and see if your doctor wants you to count carbs or monitor your eating and sugar in different ways.
you will get used to your body and the "signals" for low or high swings.

I can still have a bite of goodie here and there- i have to be very careful and follow my meal plan.Like i can't eat TONS of the Potato casserole at Garden grilll or Pasta at Italy AND have bread..
All Ears has menu guides as well as the Dis so you can see what is good for you or not. and the Chefs are AWESOME about telling you things you can order etc..note on every ADR that you are Diabetic.

I have been "lectured" by WDW nurses many times on Diabetics need to drink 2 bottles of water per hour. some days the heat gets to me and we have to stroll and other days I can go full out hit every ride all day.

bit of news i learned recently in a diabetes class and was told not to do finger sticks in public. go to a first aid station so you can wash your hands in a clean enviroment. when i said something about Disney the nurse was like freaking out : do NOT stick in Public- there are more and more cases of people getting staph infections after A. Sticking yourself on the finger, B. Not washing hands & C. having what is considered now an open wound....
you grab a door handle or an item in a store and someone who has staph can send it to your open wound. the Nurse/instructor went on to tell us about her friend who lost body parts due to staph (mercer) she was disbetic and they felt the site started from a needle stick for testing.
go to a first aid station, wash hands, stick yourself and slap on a bandaid.
(the nurses at WDW LOVE to hand out bandaids- i carry my own and they are like -no here take one for later

I am sorry didn't mean to scare anyone - I am just really OCD about handwashing for Diabetics.

 

[SkyGirl]

Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice. This is all so new to me, I don't know anyone with Diabetes.

The problem with seeing a nutritionist or a specialist is that I have no insurance. (I had quit my job two months before finding a lump) I'm on a special grant program that I was advised to join when I got breast cancer. They took excellent care of me, of course, but the little extras like nutritional help were not offered.

And, my doctor, after telling me that I had diabetes, when I asked him what I should do said, and I quote, "Be careful of what you eat" and nothing more other than ordering a test that I'll have "next time" I come in. So I am truly on my own in learning all that I can.

Thank you all so, so very much to get me started on my way.

 

[Chloesmom]

My Dd has type 1 which is different but I do have some pointers.
First I would for sure hunt down a diabetes educator. I know many type 2s who are told nothing about how to take care of themselves and they end up getting sick.
Second.. avoid sugar free desserts. Sugar free means no refined sugar has been added but there can be fruit juice concentrate in it which will still have just as many carbs or it can have art. sweeteners which can be bad for your tummy. When chloe was first diagnosed she was on an insulin therapy where she had to really watch her carbs and we would share a regular dessert instead of getting a sugar free one. If you are gonna eat dessert go for it.. just eat less.
TEST TEST TEST .. Disney does odd things to blood sugar. Chloe's goes sky high... most peoples goes low because of the activity and heat. Test more than you usually do to keep an eye on this.
Always take extra supplies.. an extra meter.. more strips than you think you need... extra meds... You just never know what could happen. We broke a meter once on our first day.. had the fridge freeze our insulin on the first day.. had her lancet break .. thankfully we were prepared.
Mention your diabetes when making ADRs.. not only will this make the hostess aware so you are seated promptly but you will get a visit from the chef who will help you get something you can eat and enjoy.
My best advice.. take care of yourself.. at home and at Disney. Learn as much as you can and follow what you learn... If you are careful you will be happy and healthy for a lonnnng time.

 

[Selket]

The problem with seeing a nutritionist or a specialist is that I have no insurance.
And, my doctor, after telling me that I had diabetes, when I asked him what I should do said, and I quote, "Be careful of what you eat" and nothing more other than ordering a test that I'll have "next time" I come in. So I am truly on my own in learning all that I can.

I am really hoping that some type 2 folks will jump in here with some advice for you like some good books to read to help you figure out what being careful of what you eat is! When I was dx'd with gestational diabetes my OB said the same thing and it was about 2 weeks until I got the diabetes counseling. Boy did I eat the wrong things - I didn't know what I should be watching!

You probably do not have a meter either right? I think I know where you can get a free meter that includes 60 test strips - I will PM you the URL. A type 2 person might chime in but perhaps if you do one reading a day (or every other day) - the morning reading when you first get up would be a good one? You should be under 120 I believe. I so used to dealing with type 1 which is SO different. There are also some guidelines for what you should be 2 hours after a meal. You could rotate the times you test just to check out how you're doing. If you are sky high then you really must seek out some help.

There are also these sticks that work with urine and will give you a rough idea of whether your blood sugar is going way too high. They test for both ketones and blood sugar in the urine. You can find those at the drugstore: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=40025&catid=11645
Here is another brand: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=37667&catid=11645

Perhaps there is a good book or website someone could recommend for type 2's? There are probably some good resources at the library. The person who runs this website is someone I know and she has excellent info on type 2 and also on assistance programs: http://www.isletsofhope.com/

As for watching what you eat - at least for me they gave me a "meal plan" but my diabetes was short term (only during pregnancy). I had a limited # of carbs I could eat for each meal. What you are really watching is your carb intake and carbs are especially abundant in sweet drinks (sodas/juice), starchy foods like potatoes, rice and pasta, breads and some fruits are quite high (like bananas) and some fruits are better (like strawberries). If you look at the food label you can see the amount of carbs per serving. You don't have to completely cut out carbs - it is just eating them in moderation. Many type 2 people also will take oral meds. Your body is making insulin (unlike a type 1 who makes no insulin that is why they are insulin dependent) but is not using the insulin very well. I look for breads and buns that are under 20 carbs each and I weigh out and measure our carbs too. The Calorie King book is excellent and cheap and you can also use the calorie king website which will give you carb info: http://www.calorieking.com/

I would at the very least seek out some free library books and buy those ketone/glucose sticks at the drugstore. If you get high readings with those at any time then you might need some immediate help. At least with those sticks you are given some idea that you aren't going into a dangerous range with your blood sugar and spilling ketones.

Good luck and take care of yourself!

 

[PatsMom]

Skygirl, I know you said you don't have insurance so you would have to pay out of pocket, but I do think a visit with a diabetes educator is money well spent. I wish I had visited even once 15 years ago - I would probably have avoided many of the issues I am dealing with today. I started out like you with a doctor who said to watch what I eat. No education at all. No recommendation to test blood glucose regularly. And no recommendations for self education either. I think even doctor's tend to see adult onset diabetes as not a big issue until complications start to develop.

As others have said, testing your blood regularly is important. Meters can be gotten free - last week there were $20 off coupons for a meter that cost $19.99. The test strips are terribly expensive though. You might want to look at store brands to see if they are cheaper. I am very fortunate that my insurance will pay for 100 strips per month with an $18 co-pay. I've never taken special precautions to test although I know someone has posted that they received warnings about potential staph infections. I just wash my hands and if I can't do that, wipe the finger with an alcohol swab - I usually have those because I am on insulin. I'll test anywhere and I'll do my injections anywhere as well.

By November you should have some better idea of how your body is going to react to changes in diet and exercise and know if you will need medications to control the diabetes at this stage. I was never able to control with diet and exercise, although I think that if I had been better educated and motivated I would have done better (that is what I meant when I said the educator is a good investment - a few hundred dollars invested in her might have saved me thousands in prescription co-pays over the years - not to mention doctors bills associated with the neuropathy issues I am having now). Most of the medications I have been on (with the exception of Prandin) did not cause low blood sugar reactions. I wasn't bothered too much by those until I went on insulin. Except at Disney - I just got much more exercise there and didn't increase my carbs to make up for it. I count my carbs and really don't pay any attention to whether something is sugar free or not. I actually tend to avoid the sugar free desserts because whatever they use in them causes some intestinal issues if you know what I mean! If you are prone to lows when you exercise, bring carbs with you to the park. You will not get any preferential treatment when it comes to being seated for ADRs just because you are diabetic. If they are running late, you will wait like everyone else. In November you won't have to deal with the heat and humidity of the summer which will help but make sure you drink plenty of water.

You said you have picked up some books - I'd suggest that you keep reading. I have found that the American Diabetes Association web site has lots of good information www.diabetes.org They also have a magazine you get if you join ($20 I think for a year). But one of the resources they have is a message board where you can post questions and get feedback from other type 2 diabetics. I've found this a good resource over the years. I don't take anything I read on a public message board as gospel but I've gotten some good conversation items for my doctor and educator from there.

Good luck and the last bit of advice I have is to not let your doctor rush you. Mine was always in a hurry and made me feel like I was imposing if I asked questions. I changed doctors and the one I have now encourages questions. That and the educator have finally helped me to get control. After ten years, the last two years I have had A1c's around 6.5 - before they used to run up around 8 and had been as high as 12. The A1c may be the test that your doctor is talking about for "next time". It is a measure of how well you are controlling your glucose over time. The finger stick is a "snapshot" the A1c is longer term.

 

[DawnsHobby]

Thanks for all this great info my mom and dad are coming with us in Dec....

 

[Selket]

I think Diabetes Mall has a good price on test strips if you don't have insurance: http://www.diabetesnet.com/ishop/index.php?cPath=44

Patsmom is right that it is the strips that are so expensive - many companies will give you the meter for free in the hopes you'll start buying the strips.

 

[mechurchlady]

I have a couple extra boxes of lancets and strips from one touch I can give away as I am the only one testing and only once in a rare time.

I and my mother have the best health care but learned everything from a guy online, my aunts and the pastor's wife. Self education is the key unless you are blessed with the right support.

 

[SkyGirl]

I just want to thank you all so much. I expected an answer, but never expected such incredible kindness. You are all so special!

Today I went to a specialist and after numerous tests, discovered that my PCP was incorrect and I do not have diabetes. My gluclose has been raised due to a cancer drug called Megace.

Thank you again.

 

[mechurchlady]

Congratulations of the good news. Can you eat a big piece of grapefruit cake, corn dogs, and pastries for me on your next trip. I hope you have a full dessert trip report.