Airplane food

littlebuddy · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2005, 11:16 PM

Hey all,

I'm new to this forum and it is my first post so please forgive me if this is a double post. I'm going to be travelling soon and I was told by a friend that people wiht diabetes can request a diabetic meal. Just as vegetarians can request vegetarian meals. The thing I am curious about is what exactly is in a diabetic meal? Do they just give you more food? Does it cost extra? Anyone who has ever requested a diabetic meal on an airline please let me know how it went and what I should expect.

Thanks
littlebuddy

Middle Aged Man · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlebuddy

Hey all,

I'm new to this forum and it is my first post so please forgive me if this is a double post. I'm going to be travelling soon and I was told by a friend that people wiht diabetes can request a diabetic meal. Just as vegetarians can request vegetarian meals. The thing I am curious about is what exactly is in a diabetic meal? Do they just give you more food? Does it cost extra? Anyone who has ever requested a diabetic meal on an airline please let me know how it went and what I should expect.

Thanks
littlebuddy

Diabetic, vegeterian, and low fat meals have been offered for years. However, the biggest question is what airline you're flying that isn't just going to give you pretzels. Must be a long haul flight. A lot of airlines now sell meals or just don't offer them to save money.

Katjic · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 01:39 AM

Hi

Most airlines offer diabetic, kosher, vegetarian....food upon request. You don't have to pay extra for it. From what I have noticed...the only difference between a regular meal and a diabetic meal is that they would serve you (for a dessert) some kind of a fruit yogurt, or fruit salad instead of a cake.
Don't think that there would be more food in a diabetic meal, in fact, more likely there would be less or maybe just more veggies than in the ordinary meal, but in any case, less satisfying :P
I don't bother ordering diabetic meal anymore, it's not like there's a lot of food in the first place, and if you think that the meal was just too much, you can always skipp on that little piece of cake they might serve :P
Good luck and have a nice trip

littlebuddy · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 01:58 AM

I'll be flying with China Airlines from Taipei to Frankfurt. I live in Taiwan right now, I work here as an English teacher. The food here is great but there are a few things that get you mad when you go shopping. Such as sweet mayonnaise, I mean it might as well be used as icing sugar on cakes. The bread out here is often sweet. You don't know how lucky you've got back in the west. But all complaints aside it's still pretty good out here. Thanks for the advice on airline food, I think I'll just stay away from the diabetic meal.

Thanks
littlebuddy

Middle Aged Man · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 07:58 AM

You might want to take some appropriate foods with you on the trip if you can. In the states, I try to use Sourdough or Rye bread whenever possible. I don't know that your local culture offers those. I know a lot of oriental sauces drive my sugars crazy, so I've cut down on how much oriental food I eat.

DeusXM · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 08:58 AM

Do not get a 'diabetic' meal. Repeat:

DO NOT GET A 'DIABETIC' MEAL

Firstly, there is no such a thing. A healthy meal for someone with diabetes is the same as a healthy meal for someone without diabetes. Secondly, 'diabetic' meals on planes tend to be very, very low in carbs - this might suit you just fine but personally I'd rather feel full (or as full as you can on an airline meal) and not have a hypo.

It beggars belief but a 'diabetic' meal is probably the least suitable option for someone with diabetes.

Incidentally, if you're flying that far a distance, you might also want to give some thought as to the timings of your medication routine.

travis · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 11:17 AM

If you do go with a Diabetic Meal, carry backup food with you. The last time I flew, they waited until I was in the plane before telling me they forgot to fill the order, and they sure hope that won't be a problem. Then they brought me a "low-fat" meal because that must be healty!

Shocked · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2005, 12:33 PM

I have a separate but similar question and I don't mean to hijack this thread. I will be traveling to Germany from Cinc'y at the end of November. I am also new to insulin. How does one travel with their insulin? How do you keep it cool for that long? I'll be there for 5 days.

ang · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2005, 07:15 AM

insulin is good outside of the fridge for 30 days (i believe) as long as it doesn't get too hot or too cold (read the insert that comes with it for more information). it will be just fine on the plane with you. whatever you do, don't check you insulin with you luggage. always carry your insulin with you.

DeusXM · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2005, 06:13 AM

Your insulin should be fine on a flight, provided you keep it with you at all times. If you're really concerned, you can always invest in a Frio pack or something similar.

But for 5 days, you should be fine. I carried around my insulin for 2 weeks in Florida in my pocket and it was fine.

However, you may wish to get your doctor to write you a covering letter. Most airlines are ok but occasionally you get the odd paranoid security person who decides that 8mm needles are a very dangerous terrorist weapon. Showing them a letter from your doctor that says 'this person needs to carry this stuff with them at all times or you're going to end up in court' is a handy insurance policy.