Originally Posted By RidgebackLuver My dad just was told he has to go on the strict 1200-15-- calorie a day diabetics diet, or die basically. They're going to DL next month and haven't a clue how to maintain this diet while there for the week. Does anyone know where to eat? What places make substitutions? He's thinking about cancelling the trip due to this, but I told him if any place would make provisions for him, it would be DL!
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I don't want to make light of the problem but I don't think that the diagnosis is "immediate" death. I think it is more of a you must do something about this or it will eventually kill you. Lower calories are the result of eating less and that can be done any place, any time. That can be done at Disney World by eating less (there is certainly exercise involved) and choosing lower calorie foods. I don't see this as a problem. They have fruit cups that can be used as snacks instead of Mickey Bars (although I don't see that life is worth living without a Mickey Bar). Salads, skinless chicken and many more things are available. It is up to the individual to watch what they are consuming. I have never found the portions at WDW to be that huge either. Anyway, like I said, I don't want to make light of a serious situation but it is just as controllable at WDW as at home.
Originally Posted By Kylesmom There is a picnic area just outside the park. So with a little planning ahead and a cooler your parents can make their own healthy meals.
Originally Posted By RidgebackLuver Well, he's 59, has had a sroke, needs to lose about 60 lbs., and when he went to the hospitallast night, his blood sugar count was 185 (it should be about 120). He breaks out on his hands and feet and gets to where he can't function. Yes, it could be immediate death. If you knew my dad's history, you'd know I was right. It's not about eating less, it's about certain foods he MUST eat, and certain foods he CAN"T eat. He is not to stray, EVER! It's basically low fat, low carbs, low sodium, high fiber, and lots of water. This is the man who can't stay away from sweets and bread. I knew he would die soon if he didn't change, I'm just so glad a doctor finally told him how it is instead of sugar coating it like other doctors have seemed to do.
Originally Posted By Kylesmom I think your parents should delay their trip a few months until the new diet is second nature. This is life and death and not to be trifled with. There are just to many sweet temptations for someone just learning to eat right.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to say that it wasn't a serious problem I was just saying that it lies in the hands of the individual. If he wants to maintain the diet he can do it at WDW as well as at home and the exercise might be a healthful side affect. 185, although high, is not anywhere near where I have seen it go. My mother's used to be in the upper 350's or 400's in the evening. She did pass away at age 87, but not from diabetic related problems. If your concern is because you don't feel that your father will adhere to his diet once he is at WDW then I understand but the temptations will be there whenever he decides to go and just as problematic. I apologise for seeming to downplay his medical condition. You know way more about that then I do but I maintain that the proper diet can be followed there as well.
Originally Posted By Kylesmom Goof, they're going to D-Land, where the healthy food choices are much more limited than WDW.
Originally Posted By Big Thunder I'm not a doctor, and I am not an expert, but I was diagnosed with Diabetes and followed a sensible diet as well as Atkins [upon docs recommendation] I was able to follow either while traveling for work and on my weekend visits to Disneyland. Granted there are bad foods galore at the parks, but I was able to stay on course. Sometimes in the morning my count is 165, my doc says that even though that is not within normal range, it's not uncommon and not cause for alarm. I wish the best for your dad.
Originally Posted By Big Thunder >>"Does anyone know where to eat? What places make substitutions?"<< Ridgeback: I'm not sure about substitutions in the park, but at restaraunts in the resort and DTD there are enough good food choices that subs should'nt be necessary, but maybe a deletion of an item on a dish. Inside the park, Plaza Inn or Pizza Port have healthy salads, or when I was on Atkins I'd buy a Turkey leg from the cart. A 1200 cal diabetic diet is basicaly a pyrimid of good foods, one fruit, lots of veggies, meat, and dairy products. For beverages switch to diet soda, skip sweets. I cheat sometimes and eat sugarless sweets, some are good, but my doc says it's a waste and just dead calories so if he's trying to loose weight I dont recommend them. again... wishing the best.
Originally Posted By beamerdog Big Thunder has some excellent advice. I'm diabetic, too. For around 57 years. >>He breaks out on his hands and feet and gets to where he can't function.<< Actually this sounds like symptoms of a low blood sugar. Is he on insulin? If not, I know that not eating at the right times when you're on oral medications can also cause these symptoms. It's impossible to judge how severe your Dad's condition is by one blood sugar. This is a very serious disease. Since he has already had a stroke he there is a high probability that he'll have another if he doesn't take care of himself. I won't sugar coat it, no pun intended. Eating in the parks is pretty simple if your dad becomes familiar with portioning his food and learning restraint. Taking in one meal and some lo cal snacks might make his visit more enjoyable. I would strongly suggest going to a diabetes educator at least 3 times before his trip who will help with portions of foods and what they contain as for grams of fat, carbs, and proteins. I've had absolutely no problem in WDW. If I want a dish, but the accompanying veggie is to carbohydrate rich, I just ask for a salad or green bean (hello Labuda!) substitution. Walking around the park will be great exercise!
Originally Posted By beamerdog Here's a site with menus that your parents with the help of the diabetes educator can use: <a href="http://www.dlresortinfo.com/" target="_blank">http://www.dlresortinfo.com/</a> If your Dad has any kind of medical insurance they will pay for the educator.
Originally Posted By beamerdog For example: Carnation Café December 2005 Breakfast The Café Scramble Scrambled eggs with melted cheddar cheese, café breakfast potatoes your choice of smoked bacon or sausage links and side of fresh fruit $7.29 He can order this with egg beaters, skip the cheese and either skip the potatoes and substitue with whole wheat toast and limit the bacon (well done) to 2 slices. Or order a la carte which I often do. Good luck! Just a suggestion.
Originally Posted By JazzCat I was pretty sure there was some informaton on this in the daily guide you can get entering the gates of DL. Here's what I found. The following restaurants have a healthy foods/vegetarian option menu: Carnation Cafe Plaza Inn Blue Bayou Bengal Barbeque Village Haus Redd Rocket's Pizza Port I hope your parents have a great time!
Originally Posted By Labuda In case you didn't know, menus for DL restaurants (fiarly recent, for the most part) can be found online here: <a href="http://www.dlresortinfo.com/DisneylandMenus/dlmenus.html" target="_blank">http://www.dlresortinfo.com/Di sneylandMenus/dlmenus.html</a> Also links on the left hand side of that page for DCA and the resort hotels, as well as a few of the offsite hotels.
Originally Posted By RAM1984 There has been much good advice so far. I took my diabetic mom to DL 3 years ago. For one thing, if you have any kind of special diet they must let you take in your own food. I made sure that we had healthy snacks as well as juice in case of hypoglycemia episodes. We went back to the hotel for lunches and ate mostly vegetables. My mother has been diligent about her diet since her diagnoses and I believe this is the key. DL has much improved their snack selections and many carts offer fruit and salads. Best of luck to all of your family. Magor lifestyle changes can be hard on everyone. I hope your father takes his condition seriously.
Originally Posted By beamerdog RidgebackLuver, please feel free to contact me (email addie in my profile) if your dad would like some menu planning/recipes to help him with his diet. Also, a good resource is the American Diabetes Association for menus, planning and just coping day to day.
