Eating Out at Disneyland

[GoldyBear]

Hi, all! I'm going to be making my first trip back soon (in almost a decade!) to the land of Mickey. Since I was twelve and non-diabetic then, I had a lot of leeway in what I put into my body. Now that I'm in my ninth year of Type I (I was diagnosed the year after), I want to make sure that I eat right while also having the best time. Does anyone have any advice on what's affordable and not too unhealthy in the Park? When I used to go with my parents and siblings, prior to the Sad Day (aka my diagnosis), we'd stop and get one of those overpriced burgers, but, nowadays, that's a no-no. I remember the junior bacon cheeseburger I had at Wendy's last week. It tasted really good, but, an hour later, I was feeling all kinds of awful. I usually take really good care of my blood sugars (requiring only two 10-unit insulin injections per day) and only go out for fast food once a week. Since fast food is mainly what's going to be available there, I don't want to have a hyperglycemic episode that'll ruin my day. So any help is greatly appreciated.

Also, does anyone have tips on carrying insulin, testing supplies, and a glucometer? I don't want to be lugging a small bag or backpack with me from ride to ride, you see. And pushing the pause button on the fun just to travel back to the parking lot is out of the question. I'll be going with friends, too, so the least that my diabetes interferes with their overall time, the better. All my thanks for any wisdom you can give me! :)

[duck]

I wonder if the Disney website has nutritional info for their foods? You may want to inquire with them.

There are a variety of carrying cases that help keep insulin cool when you are out in the elements, I think Frio is the most popular for that:

http://www.medicool.com/diabetes/diabetes_travel_frio.html

Word of advice: Learn to carb-count. Yout state that you take only two injections a day, which, if that works for you, fabulous. But nowadays more aggressive therapies are being encouraged not only for better care, but for more freedom (eat when you want, and what you want, generally).

A question: What kind of insulin are you injecting two times a day, and are you Type 1 or Type 2?

[GoldyBear]

Thanks for the link, duck. (Sorry for the late reply, by the way.) Didn't know about these... Currently, I'm injecting a 70/30 mixture of humulin and am Type 1.

[duck]

Though some people can use the pre-mixed insulins with some success, I don't think you'll find any member here who endorses them. Basically what the pre-mixed will force you to do is "eat to cover your insulin", as opposed to giving insulin to cover what you eat. I know it's not the topic you started, but if I were you, I'd look into getting onto a seperate basal (long-lasting) insulin and bolus (fast-acting) insulin, and get on a new regimen based on those--I think your results will be better than you are getting now.

Now, back to the topic at hand...When I go to "fun parks" I always wear those shorts with the extra pockets on the thighs. They're trendy, so you can find them anywhere, and they are more than ample enough to lug around the meter/lancets/strips/insulin, and have never been uncomfortable for me. There is also the "fanny-pack" option, but to me, those are...well, I don't want to be offensive, but suffice it to say you won't catch me wearing one.

Something else that I have found to be a boon for diabetics is the "Insulin Pen" (comes in many varieties). I use either the Humalog or Novolog pens (fast acting). What's nice about the pens in the scenario you are talking about is they are innocuous, fit into a pocket, and the needles for the pens are very small and conveniently sized, so again, can fit nicely into a pocket. Check those out to carry with you at the park in order to contain hyperglycemic issues.

[jeggeman31]

Though some people can use the pre-mixed insulins with some success, I don't think you'll find any member here who endorses them. Basically what the pre-mixed will force you to do is "eat to cover your insulin", as opposed to giving insulin to cover what you eat. I know it's not the topic you started, but if I were you, I'd look into getting onto a seperate basal (long-lasting) insulin and bolus (fast-acting) insulin, and get on a new regimen based on those--I think your results will be better than you are getting now.

:topic: :dito:

Pre pump days I was also on that mix ****. And it was **** trying to keep my sugars under control. Once I was off the mix I have not had more better control of my numbers. Now I never did the long acting/fast acting combo, I went from mix to pump. As duck stated before I also had to learn to carb count when I went off the mix. Good luch and have fun at Disney. It has been 25 years for me.