My name is Linda and I’m a diabetic. Diabetes hasn’t been easy for me. I wasn’t born with a sweet tooth . . . I was
born with an entire mouthful. But I’ve
learned that living with diabetes is all about choices.
When I was diagnosed eight years ago, I began keeping a food
journal. Here I recorded what I ate for
each meal and my blood sugar levels before and after each meal. This was a necessary step for me for two
reasons – it kept me honest as far as what size portions and what foods I was
eating, and it enabled me to learn what foods raised my blood sugar
levels. This might be a good thing to
try a month or so before you visit Disney.
You will have some idea as to what foods you should definitely
avoid. Bananas are one of my worst food
choices – I love them, but don’t eat them.
As we planned our first trip to Disney, I worried about how
Disney dining would affect my blood sugar levels. We had elected to pay for the Deluxe Dining Plan, and it was a
great choice for me. It meant that I
never had to choose which meal I should skip or have to pay for out-of-pocket. We decided to do a good breakfast each
morning. Breakfast has always been my
favorite meal of the day, and Disney’s breakfast buffets offer something for
everyone. On most days, my breakfast
meal consisted of eggs, a breakfast meat, and a fresh fruit. I’m not a big bread eater, so eliminating
bread has many times enabled me to keep my carb levels, and my blood sugar
levels, down. I did splurge at 1900
Park Fare when one of my choices was
to eat the lobster eggs Benedict. Oh,
when I close my eyes and think of those eggs, I swear I can still taste
them. And the strawberry soup was also
a good choice. Menus for the various restaurants can be
found on several websites. I think it’s a good idea to look them over
and get an idea of what you might find appetizing. Lunch choices aren’t difficult for me.
Since I’m not crazy about bread, not eating a sandwich isn’t a sacrifice
for me. Instead I choose a good healthy salad when it’s offered – and most times it’s
offered. However, if sandwiches are
your thing, you can always choose to eat it open faced. It’s your choice. This year, however, we have opted for Basic Dining, which means we have one table service, one counter service meal, and one snack per day. That means we haven't scheduled any breakfasts, which makes me sad since I love the scrambled eggs at Disney. I am considering taking a 6 pack of tomato juice and 6 hard boiled eggs with me. Another option is to purchase a jumbo breakfast at our resort, and then Rod and I share it - I eat the eggs and sausage and he eats everything else.
Most all of Disney’s dining establishments offer a sugar-free
dessert on the menu. But many times, I chose not to eat the starch portion of
my meals and eat a small portion of the dessert that calls my name. Sharing with a non-diabetic is always a good
option, and sometimes just a taste is enough to satisfy me. I usually try to eat the protein and
vegetable portions of my meals first, and save the starches for last. That way if I’m too full to finish, I’ve
eaten the good things and sent back the not-so-good. But if you’re concerned, let the restaurant know ahead of time
that you have a special food need. They
will do all they can to accommodate you.
One of the most important things to remember is to stay well
hydrated. You will feel better, and
you’ll be less apt to overeat if your belly feels full. And, don’t forget to test. Keep your monitor with you at all times and
test several times during the day. I
find that heat and sun will cause my sugar levels to rise more than normal. But the best advice I can give you is to
remember that no one is cramming the food down your throat. There are no “food police” at Disney. What you eat, when you eat, how much you eat,
and where you eat are all your choices. Making smart ones will make your trip
more enjoyable.
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