Type 2 diabetes, any hope?

[Dreameratheart]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this April and was devastated. I have since lost 25lbs., lowered my cholesterol and A1C to normal levels, and am exercising somewhat regularly. So things are turning around and I may be able to go off my meds. soon. The problem is I have a serious thing for Disney and all the amazing foods they offer. I really want to enjoy myself when we go back without to much worry. I dont want to have to skip out on my favorite things either. Is there any hope for me? I figure I will be doing my fair share of walking for exercise (and swimming) do I really have to skimp when it comes to my eating? I also test frequently and plan on taking my meds on the trip. Any tips and advice would be appreciated!

 

[POOHsie]

It's not really about skimping. It's about the type of foods you eat. Stay away from carbs - bread, pasta, cake, alcohol. Stay away from sweets - danishes, desserts, ice cream, sugared drinks. Think lower fat - stay away from gravies and sauces. More bird and fish. Much less red meat, bacon, sausage.

Stay away from Disney foods that aren't amazing. French fries, deep fried anything. More amazing fish and less amazing hamburgers and hot dogs.

You say you don't want to skip out on your favorite things. If those things involve high sugar - like Dole Whips, then sorry, it's time for you to face facts. You can't have Dole Whips any more. A friend can order one and you can have a taste, that's it. You can learn to be happy with a spoonful - believe me! Don't try to be in denial about diabetes, it's a disease that eats up your body very silently. Your A1C measures blood sugar in your body for the last 3 months, so a high time at Disney will be in your blood work.

Your type II diabetes diagnosis requires a life-long commitment to adjusting your diet away from sugar and carbs. You will help your condition by lessening fat intake. That helps keep your weight down. Diabetic medicine tends to put weight on people. It seems devastating and you want work-arounds, but there really aren't any. You just get used to it. I have been a type II diabetic for over 10 years. It has not gotten better, but it has gotten worse. My disease has progressed. I try hard to keep within normal range with the help of pills and now, insulin.

 

[Sadie22]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this April and was devastated. I have since lost 25lbs., lowered my cholesterol and A1C to normal levels, and am exercising somewhat regularly. So things are turning around and I may be able to go off my meds. soon. The problem is I have a serious thing for Disney and all the amazing foods they offer. I really want to enjoy myself when we go back without to much worry. I dont want to have to skip out on my favorite things either. Is there any hope for me? I figure I will be doing my fair share of walking for exercise (and swimming) do I really have to skimp when it comes to my eating? I also test frequently and plan on taking my meds on the trip. Any tips and advice would be appreciated!

Wow, you're doing great. Did you have sessions with a diabetes educator and nutritionist? I was diagnosed three years ago. It's all about portion control. Nothing you crave is truly denied but your portions of sweet treats need to be small and part of your overall balanced diet.

I was at WDW in July. When DH and I were together we shared meals. When he was in convention sessions and I ate alone, I ordered less or brought half or more back to the hotel. The portions at WDW are generally way too big to be correct for me. An entire Dole Whip or dessert would have sent my blood glucose much too high, just like it would at home. Sharing was perfect.

I was expecting to do even more walking than I did, but in the July heat I only got my pedometer up to 16,000 steps one day out of the ten I was there.

We ate at CRT, CG, Prime Time, Sci Fi, Planet Hollywood, Chefs de France, Rose and Crown, the Plaza Restaurant, to name a few. We even attended the Fireworks Dessert Party where I had a couple of the small portioned sweets and some fruit along with a front row seat. If there was cheese (I don't remember now), I'm sure I had some. During our trip I ate a little more than I normally would but I was able to keep within my goals and my HgB A1C last week was lower than six months ago.

So eat some of what you want but in the amounts you know to be right for you. If your doctor has not sent you to diabetes education (some doctors don't know about it), it's the best thing you can do for yourself.

 

[free2div]

My husband is type 2 and 3 yrs ago went off his meds..controls now with diet and excercise. If you want to you can email me at free2div@aol.com and I can give you email address for the dietary dept at disney and also names to contact. They have been great with having specail foods for him like a diet rootbeer float (with no sugar added ice cream)..also if you are doing TS then I can give you lots of info about them too. Flametree Grill in AK will prepare ribs without the sugar in the rub..they have to know in advance...also we have found that gluten free mickey waffles are pretty low carb and ask for sugar free syrup.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I have been Type II for 2-3 years now. My last A1C was 6.0 which was right before our last trip July 4th week. Be sure to watch the carbs and do alot of walking. Also, when you make your ADRs, be sure to let WDW dining know that you are diabetic. That way the restaurants can help you with their particular menu. Several times the chef has come out and spoke with me concerning the menu. I particularly appreciated the chef at Crystal Palace. He let me know what I could have and what I needed to watch out for. He especially knew because he himself was diabetic. So don't be shy to the food staff about being diabetic at Disney. They want to help.

 

[cm8]

I have been Type II for 2-3 years now. My last A1C was 6.0 which was right before our last trip July 4th week. Be sure to watch the carbs and do alot of walking. Also, when you make your ADRs, be sure to let WDW dining know that you are diabetic. That way the restaurants can help you with their particular menu. Several times the chef has come out and spoke with me concerning the menu. I particularly appreciated the chef at Crystal Palace. He let me know what I could have and what I needed to watch out for. He especially knew because he himself was diabetic. So don't be shy to the food staff about being diabetic at Disney. They want to help.

..agreed, they will help you if you need it and are not shy about asking for it!

 

[PatsMom]

I've been type II for almost 20 years now. It has definitely had its share of ups and downs! I was a young type II - only 31. I actually had gestational diabetes that never went away. Not common but it does happen.

A good educator and nutritionist can be very useful. Be very, very careful about no sugar added or sugar free foods at Disney. They tend to have just as many carbs as the real thing and the sugar free substitute can give you some wicked gastrointestinal issues. And if your meds are metformin which is probably the most common first line type II drug now, the drug will add to the problem sometimes. I don't always tolerate my metformin very well.

I pretty much control things by watching my carbs. I also don't get too stressed by a week long vacation. I watch for lows but they might not be as big an issue if you are controlling with metformin and diet/exercise. But the heat can get to you so you do want to be careful.

I have never notified a chef or had it noted on a reservation that I am diabetic. No real need for me to do so. I eat pretty much what I want on vacation, but do practice portion control. Sharing is a great option for me. I have that Dole Whip, I just ask that it be divided into two cups and share with my daughter. At dinner I might have an appetizer and split an entree with my daughter. And skip dessert. Or skip the appetizer, share an entree and share a dessert. It doesn't give me everything that I want to eat but I do get to eat some of everything that I want if that makes sense.

Buffets are a little tougher. I have to really practice my self control. This is one reason why we don't tend to do buffets. They are really wasted on me. One big plate of salad, a small plate of food and a sample of dessert. Watch the salads - they can have lots of carbs.

If you are just starting out counting carbs or doing another method of control, it might be helpful to speak with a chef. I've gotten pretty good at estimating portions over the years. Calorie King has a book, available at most bookstores, that gives estimates of carbs, fat, etc in various foods. I believe there is also an app for the iPhone that does the same thing. I don't use it too much any more but I found it terribly useful when I first started this journey.

You'll be living with this disease for the rest of your life and eventually your eating habits change to fit the disease. I know I will probably never go to the ice cream shop and eat a banana split all by myself again but that doesn't mean I can never have ice cream again! I just have to compensate for the ice cream by cutting my carbs somewhere else. Or working out.

 

[Sadie22]

I'm with PatsMom. I did not tell anyone at WDW that I was diabetic. I know better than anyone else what I need to do for my own health. Because everyone's metabolism is different, what's right for one person could be not suitable for another. I know how different foods affect me by testing my blood glucose. I ask for sauces on the side and so on. I'll have a little of the "real thing" rather than fool around with "sugar free" or "no sugar added" because of the sugar alcohol effects.

 

[rw_hadley]

Subscribing to the thread, because I was diagnosed earlier this summer.
My doctor feels I can control it with diet and exercise.
I'm planning a March '11 trip with my family, and I firmly believe that there will plenty of food I can eat.
Admittedly I'm new at this, and am still getting used to the lifestyle change diabetes means, but I've lost over 20 pounds!
For me, I think the trip will mean what others have posted: watching the carbs, fat, and observing portion control.
(Plus keeping up with the exercise, of course, but the walking required at WDW will certainly help with that.)

Best of luck to you!

 

[POOHsie]

I'm with PatsMom. I did not tell anyone at WDW that I was diabetic. I know better than anyone else what I need to do for my own health. Because everyone's metabolism is different, what's right for one person could be not suitable for another. I know how different foods affect me by testing my blood glucose. I ask for sauces on the side and so on. I'll have a little of the "real thing" rather than fool around with "sugar free" or "no sugar added" because of the sugar alcohol effects.

I agree with this. My iced tea and iced or hot coffee are strictly plain. The sugar substitutes taste terrible, and leave a lousy after-taste. Diet sodas are terrible, the best seems to be Diet Dr. Pepper (not available at WDW). And what I read about sugar substitutes is concerning to me, I would rather skip them and the foods they are in. It has taken me years to be disciplined and content about little-to-no sugar, especially surrounded by sugar-eating friends and relatives. I went to my next door neighbor's get-together last month, and he asked me in advance about food & beverages. I told him I would drink unsweetened iced tea or coffee, nothing with sugar. I arrive at the party and there was nothing unsweetened there. I drank tap water. He tried to force a piece of cake and ice cream on me, like I was being a party poop. It's as if we had never talked! You are really on your own to know what to eat and drink for your diabetic condition and, then, stick to it.

 

[Dreameratheart]

thanks so much for the hope guys! All I really do at home is stay away from desserts altogether and watch my portions, for me thats how I lost all my weight and keeping my diet in check so I can on someones b-day have a small slice of cake. I don't drink alcohol at all and hate any kind of sodas and juices, so drinks for me are really easy water or the occasional glass of unsweet tea. but making these small changes I've noticed a huge difference in my levels. I dont think I would feel comfortable asking for things while making an ADR but asking for all the sauces on the side is a great idea that would probably work wonders for me. My hubby isn't one for sharing dinners but I think I can manage self control in that area on my own because I do it at home all the time. All the suggestions are really great and I appreciate you all for your input As far as testing while at WDW how do you guys go about it? Do you run to the first aide places or bathrooms or just wherever? My lancets are able to be recapped but am concerned at a bio-hazard waste container.(they aren't to portable) any suggestions on that?

 

[PatsMom]

thanks so much for the hope guys! All I really do at home is stay away from desserts altogether and watch my portions, for me thats how I lost all my weight and keeping my diet in check so I can on someones b-day have a small slice of cake. I don't drink alcohol at all and hate any kind of sodas and juices, so drinks for me are really easy water or the occasional glass of unsweet tea. but making these small changes I've noticed a huge difference in my levels. I dont think I would feel comfortable asking for things while making an ADR but asking for all the sauces on the side is a great idea that would probably work wonders for me. My hubby isn't one for sharing dinners but I think I can manage self control in that area on my own because I do it at home all the time. All the suggestions are really great and I appreciate you all for your input As far as testing while at WDW how do you guys go about it? Do you run to the first aide places or bathrooms or just wherever? My lancets are able to be recapped but am concerned at a bio-hazard waste container.(they aren't to portable) any suggestions on that?

Its good that you don't drink. I occasionally have a beer or glass of wine with dinner - always with food since alcohol tends to cause lows, not highs. Its good that you like water - I am a big water drinker too. Sauces on the side helps a lot since you then control how much you eat. Disney is very accommodating with this type of request. Be aware that you can also ask for a different starch with your meal. I've substituted a veg for a potato dish at a few places. That saves enough carbs to split a dessert since white potato is on the evil food list.

I have to admit that I do not change my lancet each time I test. I change it daily, in the evening or morning at my hotel room. You can request a sharps container from housekeeping - some say that they have had very good luck. I haven't so I use a heavy water bottle, mark it as sharps. I also put my used pen needles in there. Don't use a flimsy bottle as they could be pierced by the sharps.

I test wherever I am at. I have a hard time doing it standing up but will find a bench. Sitting on the ground waiting for a parade is also a good place. I can't imagine running all the way to first aid when I have to test. And I don't do bathrooms for testing or injections unless I absolutely have to. Never for testing but since I inject into my thigh on cold days in January when I am wearing heavy denim I will resort to the bathroom! Warmer days I just inject right at the table, put the uncapped needle back into my pouch with my pen injector and dispose of it at the room. I've read of people using toothbrush holders, eye glass cases, etc to hold used sharps until they could dispose of them.

You'll have a great trip! The heat and walking may mean you can indulge in a few more carbs, especially as snacks. Half a Dole Whip is better than no Dole Whip!

 

[PatsMom]

Forgot to mention that you might want to find the most compact meter you can. I know you may be limited by what type of test strips your insurance covers - I think I have three types to choose from. But one of them is One Touch which makes a variety of meters. The one I take to the parks is the Ultra Mini. It is very compact.

My husband and I keep count of how many times the security check has asked me to unzip my meter pouch and the wristlet I use for my pen injector and needles. So far I've been asked twice in about a hundred trips through security! And one was in a monsoon at the Studios!

 

[LisaTC]

I'm with PatsMom. I did not tell anyone at WDW that I was diabetic. I know better than anyone else what I need to do for my own health. Because everyone's metabolism is different, what's right for one person could be not suitable for another. I know how different foods affect me by testing my blood glucose. I ask for sauces on the side and so on. I'll have a little of the "real thing" rather than fool around with "sugar free" or "no sugar added" because of the sugar alcohol effects.

Me, too. I had gestational diabetes and was dysmet before pregnancy. The best I felt was when I was pregnant because I was ANAL about testing my BS and watching my carb load. Carb load, Carb load, Carb load was key for me. I had no issues losing pregnancy weight because I gained only what was necessary and I felt so healthy. To determine your own carb load - as everyone is different as indicated by PP - testing your sugars is key. If my 2hr post meal isn't what it should be, I evaluate what I ate, eat less of it the next time or cut it out all together. I walk, walk, walk and drink lots of water. Metformin will give you a belly ache and diarrhea. Blunt, yes - True - yes. It does work for me, though. When you have Type 2 or are insulin resistant and have dysmet, your lipids are out of whack! I have gotten my entire lipid panel in the "beautiful zone" as my endocrinologist said by watching my...guess what? CARBS! I've learned to love unsweetened Iced Tea. Take only a swig of a milkshake -- full fat kind, not the lowfat kind - it has more sugar! Education is key. For me, potatoes are like eating pure sugar for me. I eat lots of veggies and salads, but with oil/vinegar type dressings. Dressing can have a lot of sugar. I make my own.

 

[Singledad]

As my doctors and dietitian says, you can eat anything you want, despite being diabetic, there are just always better choices. Balance is what matters.

so in other words, eat a little bit of that mickey mouse head ice cream, but make sure you counter that by picking a better choice (like fresh fruit, because even diabetics need real fruit) next time. make sure it balances at the end of the day.

I am sure you will be fine, and as for having it noted when you do ADR, I do all mine online and it makes it easier to do, without having to actual verbally tell someone 'oh by the way..' I am good with 'asking' or telling via text, but not so great verbally.

 

[jbuey22]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this April and was devastated. I have since lost 25lbs., lowered my cholesterol and A1C to normal levels, and am exercising somewhat regularly. So things are turning around and I may be able to go off my meds. soon. The problem is I have a serious thing for Disney and all the amazing foods they offer. I really want to enjoy myself when we go back without to much worry. I dont want to have to skip out on my favorite things either. Is there any hope for me? I figure I will be doing my fair share of walking for exercise (and swimming) do I really have to skimp when it comes to my eating? I also test frequently and plan on taking my meds on the trip. Any tips and advice would be appreciated!

I am insulin dependant. But my suggestion is:
1. get a meter.
you can monitor yourself daily and know if you need to lay off today.
2. Do not gorge in one meal.
enjoy your entree and save desert for a later time. If you have an appetizer, entree, and desert in one meal you will pay.
3. eliminate the easy stuff that hurts you.
drink diet soda instead of regular, avoid juice, pasta's starches etc minimize.

good luck!

 

[LisaTC]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this April and was devastated. I have since lost 25lbs., lowered my cholesterol and A1C to normal levels, and am exercising somewhat regularly. I figure I will be doing my fair share of walking for exercise (and swimming) do I really have to skimp when it comes to my eating? I also test frequently and plan on taking my meds on the trip. Any tips and advice would be appreciated!

Skimp yes, deny totally no. 1-2 nibbles won't hurt you. I find anymore that is all I even want anyway. I learned I never felt great after eating that type of stuff. I felt sick. Big clue! Keep up your excellent work. The feeling you get from doing all you've been and how you are protecting your body will outweigh any feelings you are denying yourself! I bring lots of gum and sf mints to assuage my sweet tooth. The best thing I did was get a meter. I'm currently in the prediabetic range, was in the type 2 range. I can be done!!! Your achievement is noteworthy and I hope you can derive a wonderful feeling from that. Revel in it.

I have been Type II for 2-3 years now. My last A1C was 6.0 which was right before our last trip July 4th week. Be sure to watch the carbs and do alot of walking. Also, when you make your ADRs, be sure to let WDW dining know that you are diabetic. That way the restaurants can help you with their particular menu. Several times the chef has come out and spoke with me concerning the menu. I particularly appreciated the chef at Crystal Palace. He let me know what I could have and what I needed to watch out for. He especially knew because he himself was diabetic. So don't be shy to the food staff about being diabetic at Disney. They want to help.

I think this is a great piece of advice. As good as I am in choosing wisely (don't always do it, but I am capable of it! LOL) It's nice to have somebody in your corner, even on vacation. It's simple sugars, bad/wasteful carbs. There's good carbs out there, they are usually paired with lots of fiber (oatmeal, legumes, berries, cantaloupe, etc) The great thing is you can have a nice filet mignon and not feel guilty about it raising your carb load! Filet & sauteed mushrooms, yum. veggies or salad on the side. It actually makes me feel better NOT eating dessert/pasta/potatoes!

A previous poster was right, guard yourself when it comes to sugarfree or no sugar added, check the carbs if you can. Get the CalorieKing guide. Will help you, even if the specific item isn't listed, you can get close/get an idea and test. You will walk miles and miles each day at Disney. You always need to watch the lows. If you find yourself getting low, grab an apple or half an orange. Bring yourself back, gently and steadily. I take Metformin. For a while, I wasn't always taking it when/how I should. Taken right, it does help me. I can tell when I didn't take it in time. It does wreck havoc on your GI tract! I've learned to love unsweetened iced tea. Actually quenches better than sweetened. I'm ordering cases of water from GardenGrocer. I like Crystal Light Lemonade packets for water if I want something different.

If you feel like you're denying yourself, you will cave. Have a bite and know it's all you really want/need. You may find yourself saying "nah, I don't need even a bite!" Good Luck!

 

[book_junkie]

Something you might want to think about, OP, is getting a clear make-up bag to check your testing supplies in. I'm a type 2 (on insulin unfortunately) and keep all my testing and insulin in a clear make-up bag that fits easily inside either cargo shorts pockets or my parks bag. (I wore the shorts on the particular shopping trip to check!)

It has made a world of different, not only at Disney but when traveling as well, so I've been using it whenever we travel- especially through airports. Sometimes the lancelets or pen needles set off the agent at the XRay machine, and they can just pull out the bag and see the contents. Same with bag check at Disney when it's needed. And the plastic-y outside is heavy enough to protect everything, and water-proof.

I fit in it: Ultra Touch mini meter (that has a download port- very important with my endo), a container of testing strips, a good supply of lancelets, a lancelet device, a pen of fast acting insulin, a supply of alcohol wipes, a handful of pen needles, and a few hard candies just in case sugars drop (another of my problems is that my sugars will drop fast without warning, and I need something NOW).

I keep a plastic zip-lock baggie in it as well (I think it's snack size? maybe quart size but no bigger than that) to keep used testing supplies in. I have to test before meals (especially because of the insulin), and have tested under the tables of many a place while my husband has gone to get food (bad DISer, I know). I have even done injections if need be under the tables where people cannot see (no one has never noticed), and used napkins to wrap up everything, and then popped it into the baggie until I could get it back to the hotel room and the sharps container. I've not had any issue with Disney hotels and getting a sharps container, but other hotels I have- at times it's been so bad my husband just went to the nearest drug store and purchased one.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I bring a vitamin bottle from home to put my sharps in, so it never gets pierced. I still had room left in it after a two week trip, but I put a big sign on the front, because I don't want someone from the airport to open it and get "stuck", since we all know how getting stuck can hurt if you do it wrong.

I did notice that food was a problem for me at Disney. I stayed on my diet, except for a ton of fruit, and my 2 hour blood levels were up in the 200 area, so be careful of the fruit. I also sneaked in some white bread, which also wasn't a good thing to do. I got so I would have just meat and cheese at dinner, but I never thought of letting the staff know I was diabetic. Thanks for the idea, maybe this year will be better, food-wise. My metformin caused some issues for me, due to the heat, too. I never knew from day-to-day if I was going to have gastrointestinal issues or not. Has anyone found a way to avoid that issue if you are on metformin?

 

[SueM in MN]

Something you might want to think about, OP, is getting a clear make-up bag to check your testing supplies in. I'm a type 2 (on insulin unfortunately) and keep all my testing and insulin in a clear make-up bag that fits easily inside either cargo shorts pockets or my parks bag. (I wore the shorts on the particular shopping trip to check!)

It has made a world of different, not only at Disney but when traveling as well, so I've been using it whenever we travel- especially through airports. Sometimes the lancelets or pen needles set off the agent at the XRay machine, and they can just pull out the bag and see the contents. Same with bag check at Disney when it's needed. And the plastic-y outside is heavy enough to protect everything, and water-proof.

I fit in it: Ultra Touch mini meter (that has a download port- very important with my endo), a container of testing strips, a good supply of lancelets, a lancelet device, a pen of fast acting insulin, a supply of alcohol wipes, a handful of pen needles, and a few hard candies just in case sugars drop (another of my problems is that my sugars will drop fast without warning, and I need something NOW).

I keep a plastic zip-lock baggie in it as well (I think it's snack size? maybe quart size but no bigger than that) to keep used testing supplies in. I have to test before meals (especially because of the insulin), and have tested under the tables of many a place while my husband has gone to get food (bad DISer, I know). I have even done injections if need be under the tables where people cannot see (no one has never noticed), and used napkins to wrap up everything, and then popped it into the baggie until I could get it back to the hotel room and the sharps container. I've not had any issue with Disney hotels and getting a sharps container, but other hotels I have- at times it's been so bad my husband just went to the nearest drug store and purchased one.

That’s a very good idea. I know some people use clear ziplock bags, but the clear makeup bags would be so much more durable.