Disney with Diabetes

[schewy]

Has anyone ever gotten any information on counting carbs at WDW? I have been diabetic for years and recently went on the pump. I have never worried about counting carbs before anytime I have been to WDW but now it is a must.
I have found a book online "The Healthy Guide to Walt Disney World 2009" but I can not seen the information inside the book becuase no local store carry the book. It has to be ordered.
If anyone has suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. I plan to contact guest services and was wondering if anyone has any other ideas or information.

 

[tigsmom]

Has anyone ever gotten any information on counting carbs at WDW? I have been diabetic for years and recently went on the pump. I have never worried about counting carbs before anytime I have been to WDW but now it is a must.
I have found a book online "The Healthy Guide to Walt Disney World 2009" but I can not seen the information inside the book becuase no local store carry the book. It has to be ordered.
If anyone has suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. I plan to contact guest services and was wondering if anyone has any other ideas or information.

I'm a non insulin dependent Type 2 so while I do count carbs it's not imperative that I be exact. I can tell by sight basically everything I eat and only be off by a gram or two. Contacting guest services is the way to go. Let them know where you will be eating and somebody should contact you to work things out. You can also ask to speak to a chef when you are seated, they are more than willing to help.

I looked at the book you mentioned, but I didn't see anything on diabetes in it. Not sure if you are a type one or not, but since you are on insulin I'm linking this for you... Click Here
I do know that a serving of Dole Whip (not the float) has only 14 gm carbs (made me very happy). Good Luck! :wave:

 

[Uncle Lupe]

My woman is a insulin dependent diabetic, Disney should offer a dining plan for them in mind. A plan with more snack credits to use in the parks to keep the sugar up with all the walking in the sun.

 

[tigsmom]

My woman is a insulin dependent diabetic, Disney should offer a dining plan for them in mind. A plan with more snack credits to use in the parks to keep the sugar up with all the walking in the sun.

I always bring my own wherever I go.

 

[schewy]

Thanks. I am a type 2 on insulin. I have a book that is great for counting carbs (CalorieKing 2009) but was looking for specific nutrition info for the resturants at WDW. Thanks for all the help.

 

[disneylemons]

This year was the first year we were there since my son was diagnosed with Type 2.. his doesn't have to be exact either but we always looked for sugar free options and quite a few restaraunts did have some sort of sugar free dessert offerings.

I did notice with all the walking and the sun his sugar would drop and he would get 'sickly' until we could get something to eat.. so be sure to carry snacks or make time for them during your day..

 

[tigsmom]

This year was the first year we were there since my son was diagnosed with Type 2.. his doesn't have to be exact either but we always looked for sugar free options and quite a few restaraunts did have some sort of sugar free dessert offerings.

I did notice with all the walking and the sun his sugar would drop and he would get 'sickly' until we could get something to eat.. so be sure to carry snacks or make time for them during your day..

Yet another reason I'm not worried about being exact in my counts, the exercise really lowers the sugars. I always have PB crackers in my backpack, just in case.

 

[macsmom]

I'm type 2 and am going to start on insulin soon. Just how many carbs do you guys do a day? Someone told me about 20, someone told me it doesn't matter. I went to see a diabetic counselor and she just kind of shrugged her shoulders. I generally know what to eat and what not to eat.

danna

 

[tigsmom]

I'm type 2 and am going to start on insulin soon. Just how many carbs do you guys do a day? Someone told me about 20, someone told me it doesn't matter. I went to see a diabetic counselor and she just kind of shrugged her shoulders. I generally know what to eat and what not to eat.

danna

:brick: Not very competent at all.. Are you newly diagnosed? 20 gms of carbs all day or at one time? 20 is too low, especially if you are on medications.
You need to see a dietitian/nutritionist who will review you blood tests (specifically A1C), look at you height, weight & medications and help write up a plan. I have 15 gm carbs for breakfast and a mid morning & mid afternoon snack and 30 gm for lunch & dinner. There is no hard & fast rule as it's all individualized. Most endocrinologists have one on staff and insurance should cover the fee.

 

[castevens]

As a 2-semesters-away-from-my-doctorate student, I figured I'd offer my 2 cents. Ideally, it is important not just to monitor the amount of CHOs you're eating, but what *type* of CHO you are consuming (I am referring to the use of the glycemic index). See if you can also get that information when you call Disney.

Usually when making a recommendation for carbohydrate intake in Medical Nutrition Therapy, the nutritionist or endocrinologist (or pharmacist) is looking at current lab values such as a lipid panel (triglycerides, HDL, and LDL) and -- as tigsmom said -- individualize therapy based on those numbers along with a myriad of other factors. For example, a low-carb diet in a patient with T2DM generally results in a decrease in triglycerides and an increase in HDL (both good) but an increase in LDL (bad). If we're trying to prevent the macrovascular problems potentiated by diabetes (heart attack and stroke), raising LDL is not the way to go.

Anyway, to give a reference point, the American Diabetes Association says in the 2009 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes: "the recommended dietary allowance for digestible carbohydrates is 130g/day and is based on providing adequate glucose as the required fuel for the central nervous system without reliance on glucose production from ingested protein or fat."

That number is then adjusted based of a variety of patient-specific factors.

 

[castevens]

I've worked closely with two CDE (Certified Diabetes Educators) and I've never heard the term "patient specific" more than when I'm with these two doctors. Everything in diabetes is patient specific, and based on a ton of factors, which is why good communication between the patients and doctors is important.

I'd be happy to go into more detail on anything I've said, or anything I haven't said. Although I plan on doing my residency in oncology, I have received an education which has covered all major health topics, and much of that was centered on diabetes management (although we still have a full semester of clinical practicum of diabetes management in the fall -- we are going to inject normal saline into ourselves as if we were on an insulin regimen and check our blood sugar multiple times per day)

 

[betteratmk]

I'm a Type 1 IDD, The posters are correct, it is based on individual needs. What starting load of carbs did your Endocrinologist recommend? Did they show you how to rainbow the coverage with more or less activity or illness? Do you need to gain or lose weight? A simple rule of thumb is to eat as if you are at home, watch the fats, eat whole grains, fresh fruit ect. Keep your protein up and because you are walking so much you may find the need to indulge in a great dessert or two while you are there!! One of the benefits of being at Disney!!:sohappy:

 

[WDW_Emily]

Does disney allow food in the parks? My family recently went to six flags and normally its no food but my mom told the guy cheaking bags that she was a diabetic and was able to bring in her cut up watermelon and an apple to snack on during the day. Maybe disney will allow you to do something like this?

 

[castevens]

Does disney allow food in the parks? My family recently went to six flags and normally its no food but my mom told the guy cheaking bags that she was a diabetic and was able to bring in her cut up watermelon and an apple to snack on during the day. Maybe disney will allow you to do something like this?

I don't know the answer to that question *for sure* but I can't imagine that it's even legal for them to not allow a diabetic to have outside food. I mean, glyburide, glipizide, Starlix, Prandin, Symlin, and insulin all put the patient at a high risk of hypoglycemia (especially in an environment (like vacation, for example) when their eating habits/times and exercising habits/times can change greatly). I would guess that pts on any one or combination of those meds comprise about 70% of medicated diabetics.

So back to my original point, I don't think it could be legal for them to force a diabetic to purchase food from them or use a glucagon pen in the event of hypoglycemia.

 

[tigsmom]

Does disney allow food in the parks? My family recently went to six flags and normally its no food but my mom told the guy cheaking bags that she was a diabetic and was able to bring in her cut up watermelon and an apple to snack on during the day. Maybe disney will allow you to do something like this?

ANYBODY can bring food into the parks from snacks to picnic lunches (no rolling coolers though). We always have snacks and water when we go into the parks, but we do eat our meals in WDW restaurants, just because we enjoy that. You can also bring in all medications necessary as well as your monitoring kits.

 

[schewy]

I'm type 2 and am going to start on insulin soon. Just how many carbs do you guys do a day? Someone told me about 20, someone told me it doesn't matter. I went to see a diabetic counselor and she just kind of shrugged her shoulders. I generally know what to eat and what not to eat.

danna

It depends on the person. I am on the insulin pump and counting carbs is a must for me. I am on a meal plan becuase I had too much fun when I was younger. I get 57 carbs at breakfast, 75 at lunch and 72 at supper. between each meal and after supper I get 30 for snack. I would recommend checking with a nutritionist before starting a carb counting regimen.