New diabetic !! HELP !!!

[pattibehan]

We leave for the World in 3 weeks - our 6th trip - and my DH was diagnosed as diabetic last Friday. I am a nurse, so understanding diet and meds is not a problem...BUT...I need suggestions on places to go for snacks and QS meals he can eat. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to the disABILITIES Forum and look at Post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs. There is a large section in that post dealing with special dietary needs, as well as many related links. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by following the link in my signature.

This is a very common topic of discussion in the disABILITIES Forum.

 

[Sadie22]

We leave for the World in 3 weeks - our 6th trip - and my DH was diagnosed as diabetic last Friday. I am a nurse, so understanding diet and meds is not a problem...BUT...I need suggestions on places to go for snacks and QS meals he can eat. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

First of all, get both of you into classes with a certified diabetes educator and nutritionist ASAP to help with meal planning. Some doctors do not know about these classes or may not know how great they are. Second, in the Disabilities folder you may find threads and advice from CDEs and other diabetics.

I'm assuming your DH is type II like me. I'm working on losing weight so I was given ideas for menus and daily meal plans with how how many grams of carbs I should have when as well as how much protein and fat to achieve my goals. This allows me to get and keep my blood glucose levels where they should be.

Plain whole foods are always easier to plan around. Fruits, vegetables, and my favorite, filet mignon. I'm used to asking for sauces on the side so I can use only a little as I choose. I know that a hamburger bun and potatoes at the same time are too much for me. A whole single serve pizza would be too much for me. Half and a salad would be about right -- for me. Your DH's mileage will vary. Extra walking at Disney will make a difference too.

Once you have some idea of portion sizes, it's easier to plan a meal. DH will be sharing some meals because Disney portion sizes are way too large for me. Sometimes people ask what sugar free desserts there are. From testing my blood glucose levels I know that many of the sugar substitutes used may raise my glucose levels almost as much as sugar, and that sugar alcohols in more than a minute quantity make me sick. Your DH will learn what works for him by experimentation and use of his glucometer. The CDE will teach him about this if his doctor has not.

The ADA has put out some good books recently but go with what the CDE has to say.

 

[pattibehan]

Thanks !! I never would have thought to look there!

 

[stacy6552]

Dh is diabetic. You can eat pretty much anywhere, but you'll need to keep an eye on the exchanges.

 

[mskermit]

We leave for the World in 3 weeks - our 6th trip - and my DH was diagnosed as diabetic last Friday. I am a nurse, so understanding diet and meds is not a problem...BUT...I need suggestions on places to go for snacks and QS meals he can eat. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

guess what!! me too!! i was diagnosed about a month ago and i am stressing about eating in the parks. I am diet controlled at this point, not meds or insulin. I had gestational diabetes so i kinda know how to manage. i find that eggs in the morning, one yolk and 2 egg whites, brings my level down. i have a problem in the morning. i am sensitive to ALL high fiber bread. i have read different things tho, that with all the walking it keeps your sugar levels down. I have been working with a nutritionist which is extremely helpful! she told me i can bring in all of the menus and she will go over with me. disney sent me a form to fill out from special diet dept and they will add that to all of my ressies! fill it out and fax back to them, they have been great! One of my favorite snacks has become the Chobani greek yogurt!! i am now addicted!!! if i can be of help let me know!!

 

[mskermit]

We leave for the World in 3 weeks - our 6th trip - and my DH was diagnosed as diabetic last Friday. I am a nurse, so understanding diet and meds is not a problem...BUT...I need suggestions on places to go for snacks and QS meals he can eat. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

WDW.Special.Diets@disney.com


here is the e-mail address, they will send you all of the info and they are quick to respond! if diabetes is listed on your ressies, the chef or manager will come out and go over the menu and buffets with you, so i have been told

 

[Connears]

FYI the no sugar added trio dessert is to die for at The Wave!!!! I had gastric by-pass surgery and cannot do the sugar/high carb thing. Also had a great no sugar added cheesecake at BW bakery. These are not low fat, so certainly follow your diet recommendations, I just wanted to let you know my favs. Do not bother with the no sugar added brownies at some CS..its yuck! Have fun, there are good choices throughout the parks, etc.

Connears

 

[disneylova]

I have had type 1 insulin dependent since 1979(age 5). We have been to Disney 8 times past 4 years and the dining has never been a major issue. Granted the TS usually cause more of a spike (esp. on DP) because of some of desserts, but I always seem to walk off meals. If you start out low in the morning and are going to the park eat a little more or you'll spend your time snacking every hour. I suggest keeping individually wrapped candies with you to stick in pocket while in line in case of lows, but as far as eating be moderate. If you have to have that desert, eat a salad with low fat dressing and some grilled chicken. If you waqnt a burger or pasta, leave off desert or oder fruit and tell them to half the portion of fries that they bring. If they have veggies as an option do this instead. Sugar spike are all about too many carbs at one time. Granted he's just been diagnosed so its going to take adjustments at first. Just don't get discoutraged and hang in there! I've lived with it for 31 years and never had any major complications, have maintained relatively the same weight since high school(5-10lbs) due to exercise. Go enjoy yourself, just remember Disney is a LOT OF WALKING so prepare for extra lows unless activity level is extremely high at home. Tips on restaurants: All Star Music has great CS with a make your own salad bar w/ grilled chicken or salmon(Pop does not). Riverside has this and a pasta bar where you can get whole wheat pasta w/ grilled meat and veggies. Grilled chicken is at most CS but you will grow tired of this all the time. Beach Club( our favorite) has a salad bar now at marketplace. Thank goodness! Good Luck!

 

[mskermit]

I have had type 1 insulin dependent since 1979(age 5). We have been to Disney 8 times past 4 years and the dining has never been a major issue. Granted the TS usually cause more of a spike (esp. on DP) because of some of desserts, but I always seem to walk off meals. If you start out low in the morning and are going to the park eat a little more or you'll spend your time snacking every hour. I suggest keeping individually wrapped candies with you to stick in pocket while in line in case of lows, but as far as eating be moderate. If you have to have that desert, eat a salad with low fat dressing and some grilled chicken. If you waqnt a burger or pasta, leave off desert or oder fruit and tell them to half the portion of fries that they bring. If they have veggies as an option do this instead. Sugar spike are all about too many carbs at one time. Granted he's just been diagnosed so its going to take adjustments at first. Just don't get discoutraged and hang in there! I've lived with it for 31 years and never had any major complications, have maintained relatively the same weight since high school(5-10lbs) due to exercise. Go enjoy yourself, just remember Disney is a LOT OF WALKING so prepare for extra lows unless activity level is extremely high at home. Tips on restaurants: All Star Music has great CS with a make your own salad bar w/ grilled chicken or salmon(Pop does not). Riverside has this and a pasta bar where you can get whole wheat pasta w/ grilled meat and veggies. Grilled chicken is at most CS but you will grow tired of this all the time. Beach Club( our favorite) has a salad bar now at marketplace. Thank goodness! Good Luck!

i read somewhere that fountain view cafe in epcot has a no sugar no crust cheesecake!!!! whooo hoooo-- im headed there!! we have resssies at the hoop de doo and i love the fried chicken so my plan is to eat just one piece with the breading and the rest take it off. i figure the protein from the meats will balance out the BBQ sauce and the fried coating. hopefully they will have a sugar free dessert. its all about planning, balancing, and being smart about waht you eat. i have a hard time with bread, even high fiber. i found the new ronzoni smart pasta works well for me too. its not gonna be easy with all the great desserts at disney!!!!

 

[Connears]

i read somewhere that fountain view cafe in epcot has a no sugar no crust cheesecake!!!! whooo hoooo-- im headed there!! we have resssies at the hoop de doo and i love the fried chicken so my plan is to eat just one piece with the breading and the rest take it off. i figure the protein from the meats will balance out the BBQ sauce and the fried coating. hopefully they will have a sugar free dessert. its all about planning, balancing, and being smart about waht you eat. i have a hard time with bread, even high fiber. i found the new ronzoni smart pasta works well for me too. its not gonna be easy with all the great desserts at disney!!!!

See my post above for The Wave and BW bakery no sugar added choices..also great.

 

[kehlyrsmom]

I have been visiiting WDW since 06 as a diabetic, last year I started seeing an endocronoligst and he put me on a lean protein, veggies, fruit diet. NO breads, pastas, potatoes. (Also walking at least a half an hour a day) I lost 35 lbs and 4 months later have manged to keep it off but I have also contined my diet. There has been the odd occasion where I might have had a sandwich but only once in a great while.

My husband and I pretty much split a quick service, usually a wrap of some sort and I get a piece of fruit to go with it. For dinner I usually have some sort of meat and ask for the vgtbl of the day. I have eaten some dessart I stay away form the sugar free stuff since it usually has more carbs than a non diet one. I aslo will have a dole whip but do not drink the extra juice the extra walking generally helps keep my blood sugar in check.

Ususally my problem is breakfast. I eat eggs and fruit at home if you eat at the hotels counter service I have yet to get them to substiute the pototoes for extra eggs or a small piece of fruit.

 

[clhcpaca]

Please watch the "no sugar" desserts. They put other carbs in there for the flavor that we like so much...so alot of the desserts are as high or even higher in carbs. Plus, the sugar substitutes can give you diarrhea. I watch how many carbs I eat, rather than worry about the so-called sugar-free stuff.

Cindy

 

[katml14]

Please watch the "no sugar" desserts. They put other carbs in there for the flavor that we like so much...so alot of the desserts are as high or even higher in carbs. Plus, the sugar substitutes can give you diarrhea. I watch how many carbs I eat, rather than worry about the so-called sugar-free stuff.

Cindy

We were told the same information- my daughter is a T1 diabetic and we were told that in most instances, it's better to eat the "regular" treat (not sugar free) and then just cover for it with insulin. Too much sugar free can wreak havoc on the tummy. Plus sugar free does not mean carb free! Your increased activity level will probably help to offset some of the extra treats that you eat during the day.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I am a Type II diabetic controlled through a combination of medication and diet. For me (and for most Type II diabetics I have talked to), limiting carbs is the secret. I "eat to my meter" - I have spent a lot of time eating meals with various carb levels and various foods then seeing what happens to my blood sugar. When I dine out, I usually select a good meat with veggies or a salad. For me, mashed potatoes or 1/2 of a sweet potato are good side choices, but a small white potato will send my blood glucose levels sky high. I can find something I can eat on almost any menu, and I have been looking at Disney menus to make sure I can find a good choice on their menus as well. So far, so good. I haven't felt the need to put in any special requests - I will just make good choices.

The biggest challenge for me with eating out is sandwich restaurants that don't have a good salad. I have been known to order a great burger and eat half or none of the bun. I also find it more satisfying to have a great, low carb meal with a small piece (or 1/2 of a piece) of full-sugar dessert than to eat most sugar free snacks (and many still have a high carb count).

Another challenge at Disney is that exercise habits often change. This will mean more monitoring to be sure his blood sugar doesn't go too low. Anytime I feel the slightest bit lightheaded, I stop and test. That said, some medications control lows better than others.

 

[book_junkie]

A couple of things that I can recommend from experience...

If the doctor hasn't recommended a meter, I'd get an UltraMini from OneTouch http://www.onetouchdiabetes.com/ultraminior another really small one that can travel and uses the same type of strips that the meter from the doctor recommends. I use this one to travel with rather than the larger one, and it can fit into short pockets with a few lancets and miscellaneous stuff in a baggie easy. That way he can test his sugars when he's feeling wonky.

Plan mini-meals instead of larger meals during the day, especially when you're touring the parks (hubby calls this the Hobbit eating plan). The portions at the quick service places at Disney are huge, so what my hubby and I have gotten in the habit of splitting one of the combos when we get hungry. We eat breakfast in our room, get a combo about 11-ish, another about 3-ish, then dinner. So we have breakfast, second breakfast, 11-ies, lunch, high tea.... If you're on the dining plan and get QS combos, look for the places that allow a piece of fruit for dessert instead of the pre-packaged desserts- you can carry it around for later.

Especially if he's on meds for the first time, pay attention to what he looks like and what's he "normal" and what's his "off". New meds in combination with increase in exercise will drop blood sugars like crazy, and if he's new to diabetes (and a lot of times even if you're not) when your levels drop rapidly you have a hard time telling or explaining...

Also, make sure to make allowances for adrenaline. I have a hard time telling until it's way too late when my sugars are dropping, especially with all the excitement of Disney, so my hubby has learned some of my physical tells, and we carry some hard candy or other things that doesn't melt in the heat that will raise blood sugars relatively quickly. Sometimes the lines are just too long for a coke or an ice cream or a piece of fruit to pick up the sugars.

 

[mskermit]

See my post above for The Wave and BW bakery no sugar added choices..also great.

I will check there, it's really tough to one day have to cut out everything! i cannot tolerate bread at all. i bought the highest fiber bread i could find and it spikes my level terrible. my problem is breakfast, my levels are high in the morning. years ago when i had gestational diabetes, the endocronologist told me to eat 2 eggs and it will bring it down, but now i have to watch the colestrol, so i use one whole egg and 2 whites works well too. of course all the stress in my life isnt helping either!! i am a single mom and have a handicap child who is 15. the stress affects my levels too. i have decided not to let this bring me down! im going to disney and having a great time!!!