HELP- diabetes!

[kbmaggs]

I am a newly diagnosed diabetic, and we have a trip planned for February....any suggestions about how to cope in the happiest place on earth???

 

[LindaBabe]

what has worked for me is - making intelligent choices and portion control.

EDUCATE yourself! This is the most important thing you can do.

The ADA website and message boards are your friends.

Get you a Calorie King book with all the carb counts in it, so you know what you're eating. When I first started out, I weighed and measured everything (for the first month) so I could see what was triggering my sugar spikes (In my case, white bread, white potatos, white rice, cereal, many fruits and pasta.) Then I avoided those things. Test, test, test.

Meat and vegetables and salads ARE available at counter service restaurants like the Sunshine food fair in the Land in EPCOT, Cosmic Rays in MK - it's just up to you to make the right choices for you. Table service restaurants are usually pretty easy.

Do I have a mickey bar occasionally? Yes, but only two bites and my husband finishes it. Amazingly, two bites is sufficient.

Good Luck.

 

[peemagg]

I would also carry some hard candy or glucose tablets in case your sugar drops. They can bring it up fast and give you a little time till you can get the right foods to keep it up.

 

[3_disprincesses]

I would also suggest using the website allears.net to read up on the menus from each restaurant. I think I have read on this board somewhere there is someone you can contact at WDW that would be able to help you with nutritional information possibly. I've just read that and I'm sorry I don't know where...Maybe someone else will step up and tell you who to contact. Good Luck - I know it's a long road ahead of you but PLEASE take care of yourself and follow your doctors instructions. My exhusband (age 53) died this week from problems he has suffered due to diabetes.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would also suggest using the website allears.net to read up on the menus from each restaurant. I think I have read on this board somewhere there is someone you can contact at WDW that would be able to help you with nutritional information possibly. I've just read that and I'm sorry I don't know where...Maybe someone else will step up and tell you who to contact. Good Luck - I know it's a long road ahead of you but PLEASE take care of yourself and follow your doctors instructions. My exhusband (age 53) died this week from problems he has suffered due to diabetes.

Sorry to hear about your DH. Diabetes can potentially cause many problems, but with care, most of them will stay as just potential problems.

If you look in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is information about how to contact WDW with dietary questions. They don't give any information about carb counts (many people have asked and have been told that WDW does not provide that information).
There is a link to the disABILITIES FAQs thread in my signature or you can find it stuck near the top of the thread list on this board.
Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread also has some links to past threads, which include some links to past threads about diabetes.

Besides allearsnet.com, you can also find menu information without leaving the DIS - on this page on the wdwinfo.com part of the DIS site. Using bothe allears and wdwinfo, you should be able to get a pretty good idea of what is available.

 

[Alice2020]

With just a few adjustments, going to WDW with Diabetes is no different than going without diabetes. Here are my tips:
1) Test your blood sugar often
2) Bring 50% more supplies than you think you will use and make sure you have a written copy of all prescriptions just in case (who wants to be figuring out where to find Accu-check sticks in a strange city???)
3) Always have glucose tabs on hand
4) Stay well hydrated.
5) Remember to keep in mind that your activity level at WDW will proabably be different than it is at home.

I have had diabetes for more than 25 years, it has never stopped me from having a blast at WDW. You will have a great time!

-Kelly

 

[kbmaggs]

Thanks to those who have responded! I am only 3 weeks into this, but I am following all doctor directions, and my levels are slowly but surely going down.

 

[PatsMom]

I tend to avoid buffets. Since I control my portions, they seem like a waste of money. And they will really tempt me into overeating. Not really a problem now that DD is 18 but when she was younger and wanted to do the character meals I just had to resign myself to eating a very expensive small meal.

Splitting meals can be a great way to try things you like without overdoing the carbs. I am blessed with a husband who eats like there is no tomorrow and never gains an ounce. So for him to eat most of a split appetizer is not a problem. Then I split the entree with my lighter eating daughter when she is with us. I also sometimes order an appetizer as my entree.

Like others have mentioned, be prepared to test more frequently, especially if it is hot. The combination of heat and lots of walking has a tendency to make my glucose levels drop drastically.

Counting carbs works quite well for me. At Disney you have to really estimate since they will not release carb counts for their meals. Again, someone has already mentioned The Calorie King book - it is very helpful when eating out anywhere!

 

[Maryr1]

I am a type 1 diagnosed one and a half years ago at age 48. Go figure!!!! I lead a very active life (marathon runner). I have been to Disney three times since being diagnosed. I wear an insulin pump. I try to be VERY gentle with my Insulin while I am there. I would rather run a bit high during the day than too low. I test at least 10 times a day. I know that is a lot, but I am very insulin sensitive and very tightly controlled. A friend (who has been a diabetic for years) told me when I was first diagnosed "highs will affect you in 20 years, lows will kill you in an instant". He was right. So, when I am out of my usual environment I try to run high-the amount of exercise, the temperature, the excitement all effect my blood sugar and I don't want to run too low and get into trouble. ALWAYS keep some source of quick sugar on you-candy etc. just in case. Make sure you have an idea where the closest vendor is in case you need something fast-like a Coke. Where I have had the most trouble has been in the water parks so now I make sure I test test test so I catch a downward trend early and eat something. Good luck and have a wonderful time!

 

[SueM in MN]

A friend (who has been a diabetic for years) told me when I was first diagnosed "highs will affect you in 20 years, lows will kill you in an instant".

As a nurse, I would say that's probably the most important piece of advice to remember for a place like WDW.

 

[Selket]

Are you type 1 or 2? That makes a difference somewhat on the advice. Just pointing out that what works for one may not work for the other. If you are taking insulin there is another layer of complexity to it for sure.

The FAQ has a link to "Disney World with Type 1 Diabetes" which has a lot of great advice - some applicable to both types - make sure to read that.

Have fun!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Carry candy or gum to help - make sure your traveling companions understand what you might need quickly.

Here is a tip for insulin.

I carry mine in a little eye glasses case. It has plenty of room for the vial syringes and acohol pads. Now head into the handicapped stall in the ladies bathroom. The assistance bar along side the restroom will be a perfect plce to rest your eyeglass case - opened and ready to use.

 

[Slydog]

I have had type 1 diabetes for over 40 years.
Even with diabetes you can do anything you want to do and enjoy doing it to the fullest. WDW is no exception. I have been on an insulin pump for almost 20 years and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have gotten the best control I could ever have with my pump. I went to WDW for the first time last January. I have also been to Disneyland Calif. many, many times.
The pump gives you so much more freedom over injections. Eat when you want and don't eat when you don't want.
Definitely carry glucose with you as well as a snack of some type. Remember to treat before you are too low (you can avoid emergency treatment this way). You may be getting more exercise then you are used to. Stay hydrated too. Check your sugar often. Take plenty of extra supplies with you,
and have a great time.
Best advice I can give you is get your doctor to put you on an insulin pump.

 

[Slydog]

A great book to help you count carbs is the Calorie King carb counting book. You should be able to find one on line.

 

[Slydog]

A friend (who has been a diabetic for years) told me when I was first diagnosed "highs will affect you in 20 years, lows will kill you in an instant". He was right. !

I agree with this 100%. Stay in good control now so you'll be around to enjoy Disney World for many many years.

 

[scrapjacks]

My son ( age 5) has diabetes and we visit Disney parks often. He does fine & we have never had any problem bringing in diabetic supplies, juice boxes/fruit snacks, syringes, and bottled water.

We use a pen for insulin and factor in what he is going to eat. It lets him enjoy the treats everyone else is having & no problem giving him a quick shot in restaurant or public without a syringe in sight. ( He gets shy!).

Stay hydrated! Its hot here!

 

[knieriem]

Do you mind answering whether you are Type 1 or Type 2?

 

[jrsmom]

I was diagnosed last February 2 days before we left for disney. I was able to find many healthy choices. I ate a lot of salads, I did have a few fries and a burger or two. You will be doing a lot of walking so this will really help to keep your sugars in check, just make sure that you are getting enough carbs in order to keep from going to low. Make sure that you are having snacks througout the day. If having just fruit, you can have a handful of nuts to help the sugars break down more slowly. I ate a high fiber breakfast in my room, fiber one and ground flax seed. Fiber is great in keeping sugars in check, flax seed is great for diabetic as well. I was able to find travel packets made by hodgsons mills in the health food section of the grocery store, the individual packets don't have to be refrigerated. At home I have the fiber one, 2 TBS ground flax seed, 1 cup blueberries and 1 cup of skim milk. I buy the big bag of frozen lueberries at bj's and measure out a cup at night and let them defrost in the fridge overnight.

Right after we got back I was able to visit with the nutrionist and then attend a four day diabetes education course and have had two appointments with a diabetes nurse educator. Please ask your doctor about any programs that he/she can send you to.

The nutrionist will set you up on a carb schedule, it is different for everyone. We went back to disney in August and I was so happy that my nurse as well as my doctor told me that I could have a few treats while there, I really wanted to have the little chocolate mousse at LeCellier and they both said that it was fine, just have the treats earlier than later so that I can walk them off.

Good luck

 

[kbmaggs]

I am type 2..... and I really am not having much trouble making good choices at home so far. I have had my first nutrition class and will have the next one in a few weeks. Thanks to all who have responded!!!