Airline travel and diabetes

[BRSBRI]

Over in the Type 2 forum, @MrsA2 and I were discussing how us diabetics survive especially on long haul air travel.

I will once again take to skies travelling far and wide for work when the pandemic is finally laid to rest - and will be bringing along my own food in future if this link is anything to go by. Pretty sad and frightening stuff...

What's your experience of "diabetic friendly" airline meals ? Do you just order the regular menu and eat what you can? Or take your own?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/6194751/westjet-flight-diabetic-meal-potatoes/amp/

 

[EllieM]

Oh, dear, but did you see the recommendation from their diabetes expert, (who admittedly wasn't impressed by westjet's offering)

“We would also typically recommend a meal include a lean protein source, low-glycemic index vegetables and fruit and whole grains,” she said, adding: “Much like the recommendations we give to the general population.”

As a T1, I can inject for carbs, so when I travel on long haul flights I generally just skip the overly carby bits.

 

[Goonergal]

I either fast or eat what I can from the regular menu. The ‘diabetic’ option isn’t low carb and will be no more suitable than the standard fare.

Have a big breakfast at the airport - bacon and eggs is usually possible and then you’re set to fast or last on snacks/what you can get from the standard meals.

I travelled ‘Upper Class’ in Virgin a couple of times since diagnosis and found the crew to be helpful - and as that food is prepared a bit differently, was able to get bits I didn’t want left off. Pretty sure they thought I was mad ordering butter with no bread! Oh, and I raided the Clubhouse buffet of deli meats and cheese and took a little Tupperware box of stuff on board.

 

[MrsA2]

Upgrades help, if possible.
Cooked breakfasts and, usually, a decent steak and a cheese plate.
Avoid any food on any US airline, or indeed on any airline that has been catered in the US ( huge, carby tasteless portions).
(PS I haven't flown since diagnosis as a diabetic, just years of long haul)

 

[Mike d]

There is an IATA meal code for diabetics (DBML) followed by all airlines, but totally beyond their control as it isn't the carrier in question, but the catering provider.

 

[BRSBRI]

Upgrades help, if possible.
Cooked breakfasts and, usually, a decent steak and a cheese plate.
Avoid any food on any US airline, or indeed on any airline that has been catered in the US ( huge, carby tasteless portions).
(PS I haven't flown since diagnosis as a diabetic, just years of long haul)

I have suffered United, American and Delta for too long! The food even in business class seems to have been predigested by a passing sparrow before being slopped up.

The vast majority of my work travel takes me to the Far East, so avoiding rice will be the difficult part!

@Goonergal good tips on lounge raids!

 

[BRSBRI]

There is an IATA meal code for diabetics (DBML) followed by all airlines, but totally beyond their control as it isn't the carrier in question, but the catering provider.

Good point. Gate Gourmet being the biggest oxymoron out there

 

[Deleted member 527103]

Also grab in advance, the airline menus for study.

They've all got them

I wish.
Maybe for higher cabin classes but those of us in cattle class have little choice and, if we have any, they may have run out by the time they get to your seat. The idea of seeing a menu to study beforehand is laughable on flights within Europe and trans Atlantic.
I don’t eat low carb and nor do I eat meat. I have got so fed up with pasta in a tasteless sauce on every flight that I usually order Asian vegetarian and get a reasonable curry most times.
This has nothing to do with having diabetes because not all of us need to manage our condition with a low carb diet.

 

[Mike d]

Have you even bothered asking? They're all published in their T&Cs specific to the a/c capabilities to offer / not offer meals. But what would I know. Only spent 40 years doing it

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

My wife made the mistake of ordering a "diabetic meal" for me on a business trip to India? (it was a "plus one'er.)
LOL, apart from me being served first as opposed to together in a row in turn, which made me feel uncomfortable.
But hey, she cares...
I/we learned a valuable lesson. It really don't make a blind bit of difference.. Sort of reminds me of what was recommended for T1s back in the mid/late 1970s when i was diagnosed & fed whilst hooked up to a drip.?

As to why the food is tasteless at altitude, regardless of dietary requirement for the condition?
I sort of heard this years back & a quick Google goes "Layman" on the reason. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150112-why-in-flight-food-tastes-weird

 

[Mrs T 123]

Bacon & eggs at restaurant before I fly. If I need to have something on the flight I usually go for chicken or meat but scrape off/avoid gravy. The portions are tiny anyhow and I always have my packet of nuts and dark chocolate in my bag

 

[Goonergal]

not all of us need to manage our condition with a low carb diet.

But the OP does.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

But the OP does.

But the OP is not the only person who will read this thread.
The title says nothing about low carb and this thread is in the general Diabetes Discussion sub topic.
I use Search frequently to answer a question so like to help others who do so by providing an alternative view

I don't want to derail this thread.

 

[Dr Snoddy]

I have tried on more than one occasion to pre-order a meat-free low carb meal for a long-haul flight and have always lost out. BA have been reassuring in advance but then have failed to deliver. I have learned to take cheese, nuts etc. I have also been able to buy good low carb salads at airports before flights.
It could be that as keto diets become more fashionable airline caterers might offer something useful in their special diet selections. Or am I just being my usual optimistic self?

 

[BRSBRI]

Optimism is a rare trait these days and warmly welcomed!

For 20 years, I've criss-crossed the globe on business working for 2 titan technology companies, eating what was thrown at me on board airliners and ordering willy nilly in restaurants and hotels without a thought or care.

Lockdown March 2020 turned my team and I into Facetimers - so in retrospect my very recent T2 diagnosis came to pass a wee bit more easily being home...and not required to travel every other week.

Never really thought about eating on the road, what was on the tray at 35,000 feet and now as I think about planning for my first visits out east mid-year, it'll be right at the top of the list.

Thanks to all for contributing...appreciated!

I have tried on more than one occasion to pre-order a meat-free low carb meal for a long-haul flight and have always lost out. BA have been reassuring in advance but then have failed to deliver. I have learned to take cheese, nuts etc. I have also been able to buy good low carb salads at airports before flights.
It could be that as keto diets become more fashionable airline caterers might offer something

 

[KK123]

Optimism is a rare trait these days and warmly welcomed!

For 20 years, I've criss-crossed the globe on business working for 2 titan technology companies, eating what was thrown at me on board airliners and ordering willy nilly in restaurants and hotels without a thought or care.

Lockdown March 2020 turned my team and I into Facetimers - so in retrospect my very recent T2 diagnosis came to pass a wee bit more easily being home...and not required to travel every other week.

Never really thought about eating on the road, what was on the tray at 35,000 feet and now as I think about planning for my first visits out east mid-year, it'll be right at the top of the list.

Thanks to all for contributing...appreciated!

The best thing I reckon is to take your own. Like anybody who has to watch what they eat whether it's an intolerance or allergy or they're just on a diet, that way you KNOW you'll be fine. x

 

[Jaylee]

Never really thought about eating on the road, what was on the tray at 35,000 feet and now as I think about planning for my first visits out east mid-year, it'll be right at the top of the list.

Here's wishing you all the best on your quest..

I spent 16 years touring with a metal band. Some of the catering options (Let alone what was on the plane.) where interesting..
I kind of get where you're coming from regarding managing BGs with the hospitality on offer.