Type 2 Diabetics- tell me your dining stories and tips

[DanaHesson]

Need tips and strategies for eating at Disney as a Diabetic. Are there restaurants that will make special desserts? What do you eat for counter service? I am assuming that I should have a notation made to ALL of our ADR's...

my husband is newly diagnosed and we are still on the learning curve. I appreciate any and all tips and help!

 

[tami82]

You will find many options and each restaurants offers something different. You should take a look at the menus to see what they offer so you know ahead of time. I ate chicken salad every lunch and found most places offered that each had a different variation of it. I know Cosmic Rays offers a rotisserie chicken and a bunch of places in epcot also have a great variety of low carb things to eat.

 

[DanaHesson]

were you able to find safe treats?

 

[Micca]

Don't really have any great advice, but the good news is you will walk, walk, walk and walk some more. That should assist in controlling blood sugar.

 

[DisMN]

We just got back last week and like the previous poster said the amount of walking we do really makes it easier for me to eat somewhat *normally*.

I tend to eat anything I want at WDW but I limit the amount I eat. If I want a treat I share it with DH or I eat half and bring the rest back to the room.
As a matter of fact, the amount of walking we do at WDW makes me have lots of LOW numbers. LOL

On a daily basis I don't do artificial sweetners at all, just normal every day food, eating reasonable amounts.

Good luck learning about the diabetes!

 

[jrsmom]

I was diagnosed 2 days before we went last February and was worried , but did fine. There are plenty of options. If you have any table service meals planned you can let them know and the chef will come out and talk to you. I did have a yummy eggplant dish at Mama Melrose for lunch that was great and a yummy sugar free treat!

I went to my first appointment with my diabetes nutrionist the day after we got back, I would suggest setting up an appointment with one if you can. We have a great program here that includes visits with the diabetes nutrionist and visits with a diabetes nurse educator and a four day class. We went back to disney in August and I had my second appointment with my diabetes nurse right before we left. When I was diagnosed my numbers were pretty high and within three months I got them into the normal range. My nurse said that since my numbers were in such good control and I was exercising that I could have a treat here and there while at disney, I was pretty excited since I was looking forward to the choc mousse at LeCellier. There is so much walking at disney that he might want to keep a check on his numbers just so he doesn't have a lot of lows. Try eating a carb snack between meals in order to keep numbers from dropping to much, a handful of nuts or another healthy protein along with a piece of fruit is a good choice, or a low fat yogurt. Fiber is a great tool for diabetics. I start everyday off with 1/2 cup fiber one cereal, 1 cup frozen (thawed) blueberries 2 TBS ground flax seed and 1 cup skim milk.. When we went back in August I brought my cereal and flaz seed packets and ate in the room. I still have potatoes, about 1/2 cup and not a heaping pile! Sweet potatoes are a good choice. Here is a great find that I use at home, not on vacation, dreamfields low carb pasta! It tastes like the real stuff!

He will learn what works for him as far as food choices, some food react differently for different folks. He will want to meet with the nutrionist to see how many carbs he needs per meal and snacks, it is different for everyone.

 

[DanaHesson]

i made dreamfields mac and cheese yesterday

Would love to hear from more of you!!!

 

[disneygal55]

My DH is a type 2 diabetic and finds that he can pretty much eat whatever he wants when he's at WDW but everyone is different so your DH has to be careful and try to check his sugars during the day. Several times he found that with the increased walking his blood sugars were dropping to low levels. He can usually tell when they're low (shaking, increased anxiety, dizziness etc) so he'll grab a regular (sugared) soda or a sugary snack. My DH loves being at WDW because with all the extra walking, he can eat most of the things that he loved before becoming diabetic.

 

[djblu883]

The have grilled chicken just about everywhere in some form. Different options include for dessert apple and grapes ( can't have too amny but the pack is just right) I take whole almonds too! Some restaurants offer no sugar added or sugar free! The best dessert I found to date is at DTD at Ghiradelli's!!! They have sugar free ice cream and sugar free hot fudge sauce that is wonderful! I'm really careful when I go and don't make poor selections that could make me feel bad like French fries! It just isn't worth it and I find those bad choices slow me down! Good luck!

 

[Safari Queen]

There are sugar free options at lots of CS places, too.

 

[alexb]

We went to Disney last February a few months after I was diagnosed with Type II. As the PPs have said all of the walking and eating in moderation helped keep my numbers acceptable. I did eat some sugary and high carb foods (it's Disney after all!) but not as much as I could have since those things are everywhere and I shared a lot of those items with my DW and kids. The way I approach my diabetes control and it takes a lot of will power is to not avoid certain foods altogether, I just cut back on the portion size. Also, eating as a diabetic also involves trade-offs.....if you eat not so great one meal (a lot of fries for example), eat really really healthy the next meal (a lot of fresh vegetables, for example).

I also agree on meeting with a nutritionist and go with him so you can learn as well. My wife came to my appointment and it helped how learn I should eat....plus the tips were just good, general advice on how to eat healthy.

 

[winterman]

I love going to WDW because it is about the only time when I don't have to worry too much about what I am eating. I do so much walking that increased calories are not really a concern. There was one exception, however. I had Tonga Toast once and that was way too sweet and I could tell that my sugar was up for a few hours.

 

[pumba]

I am a diabetic also, and I did find that my sugars went to low to fast when I was doing all that walking. Remember to have a snack between lunches and suppers and one in the morning too if need be. I didnt really watch what I ate. Meat, chicken and seafood ...I had to have carbs to keep on trucking. Disney is alot of work you know. Desserts are sometimes more carbs in sugar free items then in regular desserts. I was not big on desserts anyways so having them at DIsney didnt make a big deal. We did eat at buffets and I could pick and choose what I really wanted to eat. Remember to have a healthy snack before at night time to carry you over until breakfast time.

Have fun and just eat . He and you will do fine.......

 

[Googilycub]

At ABC Comissary in Hollywood studios they have a yummy strawberry parfait, and Tonys Town Square in the Magic Kingdom had some great green apple sorbet. We also had sugar free ice cream at tommorland noodle station in the MK. Alot of the restaurants have fresh fruit as an option for desert, and at some you can substute fruit for things like fries (Pecos Bills is one that comes to mind). We had a good experince with the dining. We found that some splurging was Ok too (since we walked like 10 miles a day, the blood sugar didnt seem to get too out of control). Good luck, and have fun!

 

[Ellester]

My mom is type 2 and can usually find something everywhere at Disney (she has the added restriction of being allergic to all kinds of peppers, that makes it a little tougher). All food service locations should have lists of all their foods with ingredient lists. She eats alot of salad at CS places or gets a sandwich and throws away the bun.

Also, the ice cream kiosks all have a sugar free option, even if it is not listed on the menu board. If they are out, they can call and have one delivered quickly (I think it was a sugar free strawberry bar at most locations). Most TS places also have at least one sugar free option on the dessert menu.

It is definitely a learning process. White rice, white bread, non-whole wheat pasta are usually out. Low fat protein, complex carbs, fruits and veggies are in. The recommendation to meet with a nutritionist is an excellent one. Once your DH gets some new eating strategies down he will have no problem eating well (and healthily) at Disney.

On another note, you didn't mention where you are staying, but if you are in a Value you can get a fridge for free for medical reasons (if your DH is on insulin that needs to be refrigerated). You can also have a sharps container delivered to your room for no charge. Just let the front desk know.

 

[CarolMN]

Keep in mind that "sugar-free" doesn't mean it will be OK to eat. There are many sugar-free treats that will send blood sugar levels through the roof. I have to count carbs - most all processed foods (and many fruits) quickly turn to sugar when eaten.

The advice to make an appointment with a nutritionist specializing in Type 2 diabetics is good.

For me, small portions, lean meats, vegetables , whole grains, salads and a small amount of fruit keep things under control. Exercise is very, very helpful, too.

 

[DanaHesson]

Everyone has been wonderful! I (and he) really appreciate all the wonderful ideas and suggestions and encouragement.

Has anyone ever had a "special" treat made by one of the chefs at the TS places, or do they all pretty much offer a sugar free option?

 

[DisMN]

Keep in mind that "sugar-free" doesn't mean it will be OK to eat. There are many sugar-free treats that will send blood sugar levels through the roof.

I've been admonished before for NOT taking the sugar free option but my blood sugar levels get sky high when I eat them. I think many people still think diabetics can't have sugar but most of us can these days.

 

[beasleybear]

There was one exception, however. I had Tonga Toast once and that was way too sweet and I could tell that my sugar was up for a few hours.

Ok, I have a question. I'm T2 and we're going to a late breakfast at Kona, partly so I could finally try the famous Tonga Toast. I was planning to split it with my hubby and/or son. I figured that eating it later in the morning (like closer to lunch) plus not eating all of it would make it ok. Did you eat the whole thing or was just part of it enough to spike your sugar high?

I'll still try it but depending on your experience I may have to limit myself to a bite or two. This will be my first trip post diagnosis so I'll be interested to find how things go.

 

[DanaHesson]

I've been admonished before for NOT taking the sugar free option but my blood sugar levels get sky high when I eat them. I think many people still think diabetics can't have sugar but most of us can these days.

Well, I don't know about on vacation, but when I shop I check the carb count of all the sugar free desserts I purchase to make sure he is not getting hidden carbs. His favorite is Edys Mint Chocolate Chip at just 15 carbs a serving.
He is not checking his sugars yet, the doctor did not say he needs to. I tried to get him to do it anyway, but he said not till the doctor makes him . The whole learning process and all the worrying is giving me a

keep the advice and remarks coming!! I appreciate all the wisdom I can get!!