Disney dining and diabetes...

[Disney_Belle]

Hey all!

My family is taking a trip to WDW from January 16 - 25 and we need help with the dining. Granted I cannot make any arrangements for about another 115 days lol but seeing that I am in charge of planning a trip for 12 people I need to start early...

here is where i need the help. My dad has never been to WDW and will be joining us (this whole trip was his idea)... however he is a diabetic. He doesn't take insulin or anything, just some pills in the am and pm, he pretty much has it under control and had been good at keeping his blood sugar level average at 105 - 115 everyday.

I was just wondering if anyone else had traveled with someone with diabetes and where they ate and whatnot. I am going to a more in depth look at the menus and such, but we are all going to be on the dining plan so we can all eat together.

So if anyone has any tips or suggestions let me know

Thank you guys!:wave:

 

[tigsmom]

I'm a Type 2, non insulin dependent. I have never had a problem finding food on my plan. The menus have gotten healthier and if he has any question just ask to speak to a chef and they will be more than willing to tweak a recipe or two. Many places offer fresh fruit and sugar free options for dessert and you can get salads and grilled meats without sauce in many places. I even stop for hot dogs at Casey's every trip.

We love the WCC at the WL for breakfast, lunch or dinner, any of the steakhouses, Le Cellier, Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot, Cape May for seafood, Cosmic Ray's, Pecos Bill's and too many others to mention.

He shouldn't have a problem taking his glucose monitor into the park though security may ask him to open the case (only had that happen once).
All the extra walking may actually let him cheat a bit since the exercise counterbalances the extra carbs. Make sure he always has water with him and a quick snack because you never know where you may be if your bloodsugar starts to fall. His numbers sound good so he more than likely knows how to keep his diet healthy and even so he should be fine.

 

[elizs77]

My mom is type 2, insulin dependant. She's a frequent WDW traveler, and she's never had a major problem finding something to eat. It is imperative to take rests, stay hydrated and have some kind of emergency beverage or snack with him just in case, though. I actually come from a long line of diabetics and have to watch my own health b/c I'm so at risk of developing it, so I'm aware of all those challenges that diabetics face! and

I don't think she was on insulin the last time she went. I know that they had dinner at Le Ceillier and the old Japanese restaurant, and she didn't have any problems. As you may know, carbs are a big enemy to diabetics, so I would think that as long as you go someplace with good veggie and meat options, he should be fine. That would include buffets, as he could pick and choose exactly what he can and cannot have. And if he wants to be bad and have a bite of something sweet, he could do that easily at the buffet and keep it a reasonable sized portion.

If he's been a diabetic for a while, I'm sure he won't have any trouble knowing what he can eat. You are a sweet daughter to do this kind of planning for him!

 

[tigsmom]

My mom is type 2, insulin dependant. She's a frequent WDW traveler, and she's never had a major problem finding something to eat. It is imperative to take rests, stay hydrated and have some kind of emergency beverage or snack with him just in case, though. I actually come from a long line of diabetics and have to watch my own health b/c I'm so at risk of developing it, so I'm aware of all those challenges that diabetics face! and

I don't think she was on insulin the last time she went. I know that they had dinner at Le Ceillier and the old Japanese restaurant, and she didn't have any problems. As you may know, carbs are a big enemy to diabetics, so I would think that as long as you go someplace with good veggie and meat options, he should be fine. That would include buffets, as he could pick and choose exactly what he can and cannot have. And if he wants to be bad and have a bite of something sweet, he could do that easily at the buffet and keep it a reasonable sized portion.

If he's been a diabetic for a while, I'm sure he won't have any trouble knowing what he can eat. You are a sweet daughter to do this kind of planning for him!

Diabetics need carbs too and they can even have sugar, as long as its worked into their plan for the day. Zebra Domes at Boma are worth trading a potato for. :lol:

 

[elizs77]

Diabetics need carbs too and they can even have sugar, as long as its worked into their plan for the day. Zebra Domes at Boma are worth trading a potato for. :lol:

They need carbs and sugar, but they have to limit their intake. Most diabetics are told exactly how many grams of carbs to have each day. Sugar is just a simple carb and is definitely needed on hand in case of low blood sugar. My mom doesn't always eat right, and she definitely has a sweet tooth, but she has to make those choices. I'm sure your dad knows exactly what he can and can not eat and the amounts he needs, especially since it sounds like he takes really good care of himself already.

 

[tigsmom]

They need carbs and sugar, but they have to limit their intake. Most diabetics are told exactly how many grams of carbs to have each day. Sugar is just a simple carb and is definitely needed on hand in case of low blood sugar. My mom doesn't always eat right, and she definitely has a sweet tooth, but she has to make those choices. I'm sure your dad knows exactly what he can and can not eat and the amounts he needs, especially since it sounds like he takes really good care of himself already.

Being a diabetic, a nurse and an avid student of nutrition I already know this.

:lol:

 

[elizs77]

Being a diabetic, a nurse and an avid student of nutrition I already know this.

:lol:

I wasn't originally saying not to eat carbs, though, which is I think how it was interpreted. I'm not questioning you, just clarifying. Not everyone knows what we know, and I was just trying to express it for the OP. :wave:

 

[natalia1681]

I'm a type 1 diabetic and I use an insulin pump. It is my understanding that you can call ahead and request anything special you may or may not need. Disney is very accommodating. I would keep in line with what everyone else is suggesting. Remember to keep a snack at all times (but I would recommend that to anyone--not just diabetics). I've never had any trouble bringing my stuff into the parks.

I hope that you have a great trip!!:wave:

 

[amccrazgrl]

I was just at Disney last month. As a type 1 diabetic (insulin pumper) I found that I had no problems what so ever.
I usually ate about 30 carbs at breakfast.....drank 60 carbs worth of jucice and only took enough to cover the 30 carbs.....by noon my blood sugar was like 100.
I did the same for my dinner basically and when got back to the hotel I was like 80...except one night I was 55.
Just bring a few packets of like peanut butter crackers for emgergancy.

 

[tigsmom]

I was just at Disney last month. As a type 1 diabetic (insulin pumper) I found that I had no problems what so ever.
I usually ate about 30 carbs at breakfast.....drank 60 carbs worth of jucice and only took enough to cover the 30 carbs.....by noon my blood sugar was like 100.
I did the same for my dinner basically and when got back to the hotel I was like 80...except one night I was 55.
Just bring a few packets of like peanut butter crackers for emgergancy.

Have to love those PB crackers! I have them with me at all times.

3= 15 carbs or a snack for me
the entire pack = 30 or a quick meal if need be.

The extra exercise really works wonders on blood sugars. :lol:

 

[amccrazgrl]

yeah tell me about it....I had a Pineapple Float and barely had to take any insuilin lol

 

[tigsmom]

yeah tell me about it....I had a Pineapple Float and barely had to take any insuilin lol

I'm always passing up a Dole Whip or float because I figured it was so high in carbs. One serving (1/2 cup) is only 80 calories and 18 gm carbs.
I'm having one next trip! :sohappy:

 

[Disney_Belle]

Thank you guys so much for all of your help

My dad does very well with his portions and choices, thankfully, and a lot of that I owe to my mom. We found out he had diabetes about 5 years ago, and from that day we all changed our eating habits for a healthier lifestyle and to support my Dad.

We are probably going to do as many buffets as we can so he can make choices, and also try places with good meat choices.

Recently (this past February) he was diagnosed with throat cancer... and in 2 days he will be completing his radiation treatment and has no need for chemo thankfully. This all happening within months of my mother being diagnosed with breast cancer... and God blessed all of us because she is cancer free and from the looks of it my Dad is too!!! :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

I just want this vacation to be worry free for the both of them because they truly deserve it - and i appreciate everyones help!!!

 

[k.hunter30]

My father is a diabetic and we went last year. Really, any diabetic just has to watch the portions of carbohydrates, as he would at home, and he will be just fine. I guess it's kinda like any diet, the key is portion control and knowing what your perfect protions are. Some diabetics are just fine with a slice of pie at the end of dinner if they passed up the dinner rolls and other carbs.

They need carbs and sugar, but they have to limit their intake. Most diabetics are told exactly how many grams of carbs to have each day. Sugar is just a simple carb and is definitely needed on hand in case of low blood sugar. My mom doesn't always eat right, and she definitely has a sweet tooth, but she has to make those choices. I'm sure your dad knows exactly what he can and can not eat and the amounts he needs, especially since it sounds like he takes really good care of himself already.

Great explanation.

Being a diabetic, a nurse and an avid student of nutrition I already know this.

:lol:

:lookarounhuh?



EDIT: I meant to add, my dad likes to keep some hard candy around just in case his blood sugar gets too low. And with as much exercise as one gets from walking around the parks all day, they do come in handy. :wave:

 

[k.hunter30]

Thank you guys so much for all of your help

My dad does very well with his portions and choices, thankfully, and a lot of that I owe to my mom. We found out he had diabetes about 5 years ago, and from that day we all changed our eating habits for a healthier lifestyle and to support my Dad.

We are probably going to do as many buffets as we can so he can make choices, and also try places with good meat choices.

Recently (this past February) he was diagnosed with throat cancer... and in 2 days he will be completing his radiation treatment and has no need for chemo thankfully. This all happening within months of my mother being diagnosed with breast cancer... and God blessed all of us because she is cancer free and from the looks of it my Dad is too!!! :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

I just want this vacation to be worry free for the both of them because they truly deserve it - and i appreciate everyones help!!!

Oh! How wonderful! My dad is also a cancer survivor (liver cancer, twice). What a joyous trip this will be for you guys! :sohappy:

 

[Disney_Belle]

Oh! How wonderful! My dad is also a cancer survivor (liver cancer, twice). What a joyous trip this will be for you guys! :sohappy:

God bless your Dad!!! I hope he continues to stay cancer free!!!

I am just thankful that my Dad's radiation will be done in 2 days... poor guy has such a sunburn on his neck

I passed along all the info from everyone to my mom and she appreciates it a lot. It's my Dad's first time to the world... so we want it to be super special And it will be!!!

 

[DougK]

Walt Disney World is the best place for diabetics! I am type 2 insulin dependent and I really have no problems eating almost anything I want while there, in reasonable portions of course. This is simply because I do so much walking there which is the best therapy for a diabetic or almost anyone for that matter.

Because of all the exercise I get at WDW I can have Dole Whips, desserts, etc when I am there, no wonder I love the place so much!