First holiday with type 1 do we go self catering. Half board or AI...

[Leannie]

I am looking for advice please regarding our first holiday with my son who is 9. We usually go for an all inclusive style holiday but would appreciate any advice as this will be our first holiday away since he was diagnosed. Any help would be fantastic thank you x

 

[Type1Bri]

Hi Leannie
In all honesty I would do whatever you used to do before diagnosis. Diabetes is just a part of your boys life, it's hard but try not to let it rule everything he does.
Not all applicable in full to a child with diabetes but my approach to holidays as an adult with T1D
https://type1bri.com/holidays-time-ease-off

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @Leannie - can you confirm if he is carb counting for his insulin ?

If he is, which I suspect he may be it shouldn't matter what you go for, if you use an app like 'carbs and cals' on your phone then you can see portion sizes and carb units which will help you calculate his doses.

On holiday to warmer climates just be aware that he could burn through glucose at a much faster rate, particularly if he is exercising alot in the sea or a pool, so even closer vigilance on managing his glucose levels, it may help if you have freestyle libre, it lasts 2 weeks but you can see if his blood glucose levels are going up or down and you can scan as much as you want, it's something I use when on hols as you're in a completely different environment and it's easier than doing finger pricks tests all the time.

Hope this helps - have a lovely time

 

[azure]

@Leannie Would you like me to move your thread to Type 1 or Parents?

I think any type of holiday would be ok, but if you feel happier preparing your own food then you could consider self catering. If you go for all-inclusive, you could see if you can check out the food available in advance.

I personally would just go for what you prefer

 

[Type1Bri]

Hi @Leannie - can you confirm if he is carb counting for his insulin ?

If he is, which I suspect he may be it shouldn't matter what you go for, if you use an app like 'carbs and cals' on your phone then you can see portion sizes and carb units which will help you calculate his doses.

On holiday to warmer climates just be aware that he could burn through glucose at a much faster rate, particularly if he is exercising alot in the sea or a pool, so even closer vigilance on managing his glucose levels, it may help if you have freestyle libre, it lasts 2 weeks but you can see if his blood glucose levels are going up or down and you can scan as much as you want, it's something I use when on hols as you're in a completely different environment and it's easier than doing finger pricks tests all the time.

Hope this helps - have a lovely time

Top tips from @Juicyj right there

 

[noblehead]

The last few holidays we've gone all-inclusive, so all 3 meals are covered, plus if your out for the day the hotel complex will provide a packed lunch on request.

However self-catering is fine too, you just buy the goods you want at a local shop and can work out the carb content whilst cooking the food, so all 3 choices are fine IMHO.

Enjoy your holiday.

 

[Leannie]

Hi @Leannie - can you confirm if he is carb counting for his insulin ?

If he is, which I suspect he may be it shouldn't matter what you go for, if you use an app like 'carbs and cals' on your phone then you can see portion sizes and carb units which will help you calculate his doses.

On holiday to warmer climates just be aware that he could burn through glucose at a much faster rate, particularly if he is exercising alot in the sea or a pool, so even closer vigilance on managing his glucose levels, it may help if you have freestyle libre, it lasts 2 weeks but you can see if his blood glucose levels are going up or down and you can scan as much as you want, it's something I use when on hols as you're in a completely different environment and it's easier than doing finger pricks tests all the time.

Hope this helps - have a lovely time

Yes we are carb counting and have the app so it won't really matter what we decide to do as you said . Thank you for your helpful advice

 

[Bluetit1802]

Another point to consider when self catering, depending where you go of course, is availability in the shops of the sorts of food you want.

 

[slip]

Depending on where you're holidaying, access to a fridge to keep insulin cool might be more important than anything, so that could mean if you go AI you have to have somewhere that has a minibar fridge in your room???!?

Also when travelling, always take twice as much as you need (medically wise!) and split evenly between 2 hand luggage bags, just in case.

 

[Leannie]

Yes we are carb counting and have the app so it won't really matter what we decide to do as you said . Thank you for your helpful advice

Struggling today the

 

[Leannie]

Depending on where you're holidaying, access to a fridge to keep insulin cool might be more important than anything, so that could mean if you go AI you have to have somewhere that has a minibar fridge in your room???!?

Also when travelling, always take twice as much as you need (medically wise!) and split evenly between 2 hand luggage bags, just in case.

Struggling today Jacob has been low all afternoon...we are having problems with his school as he wants to be hot dinners...they want him to be pack lunch....every one keeps asking is he OK now xxx