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help with planning meals for a long days travel

Jill the tt

Well-Known Member
Messages
224
Location
Bridgend
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
unkindness
Hi,
Need some advice traveling to New York, should i book the diabetic meal, then 2hrs in JFK, then onto Canada, should i eat at JFK,by the time we reach the hotel we will have been traveling many hrs, should i have some thing light to eat before going to bed, just a bit worried about getting this right, coming back won't be the same as having a few days in New York. Thanks Jill
 
wow thanks, i did have a funny reply so i didn't show as unanswered, i didn't know what meal to book on the flight, and couldn't get my head around the time changes. thank you so much
 
Jill the tt said:
wow thanks, i did have a funny reply so i didn't show as unanswered, i didn't know what meal to book on the flight, and couldn't get my head around the time changes. thank you so much
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Jill - I have had a few diabetic meals on long hauls, since diagnosis. The meal seems to have been based on the Healthy Plate, rather than low carb, so I have mixed feelings about how critical it is to order a specialist meal. In summary, I'd say lunch and dinner have few advantages over the "normal" meal, with the biggest difference being the substitution of a fruit iotion instead of a sweet, carby pudding. Breakfast, on the other hand, was slightly better. On the diabetic option, I had a rice cracker substituted for the blueberry muffin or bread roll (depending on route). On the upside, the portion sized are small anyway, so any carbs ingested will be modest amounts.

My bloods generally behave whilst travelling, although obviously the time shifts each way have a brief impact, but that's mainly due to the jetlag, rather then diet.

And finally, I usually have something in my handbag/carry-on, should I either get very hungry or if I just don't fancy the food available. Lately, that's been a small packet of salted peanuts. They don't take up any space and won't off in any temperature extremes.

Enjoy your trip.
 


thanks for the advice, i've never had to think about it before, so felt a panic coming on, also normally don't have to change planes, which adds to the time, i will look forward to it and try not to stress
 
Hi,

I'm type1 so have the "luxury" of bolusing for food..
I took a trip to India with my girlfriend, now wife years ago & "we" made the mistake of ordering the "diabetic option" for me.. Against my better judgement...

The diabetic meals on airlines on the whole from my experience are not much different from the norm..? There is no real reduction in carbs.
From memory the desert was replaced by some pretty naturally high sugar diced fruit..?
The only thing going for the D option was that I pretty much got served first. Again, being a "militant T1" found this a little annoying... Lol

Personally, I don't believe airlines have a handle on D food...

Have a good trip all the same!
 


thanks, i may opt for vegetarian, i'll see what they can do for me and i'll carry some nuts. i came back from india on air india very thing was curry even the snacks, t'was an experience
 
Jill the tt said:
thanks, i may opt for vegetarian, i'll see what they can do for me and i'll carry some nuts. i came back from india on air india very thing was curry even the snacks, t'was an experience
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I couldn't comment on your choice, except to mention that the veggie option, in my experience, from memory, on a fair few routes and airlines, is often pasta based. You know, the ubiquitous pasta bake?

@Jaylee makes a valid point about being served first, but if you are travelling with anyone, they will not be served along with you. Conceivably, you could have your meal for 15-20 minutes before your husband/companion, depending on where you sit. This is less of an issue in Business, Club or Premium Economy classes, but that's mainly due to lower overall numbers of passengers.
 


ok so won't go for veggie, will talk to them when i get on, we had enough points to go upper, they're pretty good in there, i'll have bacon and egg before we go, still not sure if i should eat something light before i go to bed, as my body will nearly be ready for breakfast, thanks for the great advice
 

Yep, I was sat there with my meal like a nupty while my wife waited for hers.. I also noticed and felt a few glances from other passengers like I was a "rock star" or screaming baby? I didn't actually touch mine till she was served anyway..
I don't have issues as a T1 traveling on the whole...
 

should have put on dark glasses, be a rock star, they are a bit nuts on planes though.
 
Jill the tt said:
thanks, didn't know i could take food, that would be great
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Just double check with your airline, but I've taken food.
If you tell them you have a grain allergy and give them the option of supplying you a suitable meal/s or take your own. You could put it back in their court
Taking your own drink would be a no now with security.
 
@Jill the tt - Would you really unwrap your little foil package, containing cold food, in Upper? The cabin crew would divert and have you offloaded as a medical emergency; on the basis of unbalanced mind!!

To be honest, for one day (or two, counting the way back), I'd pick what I could either from what's on offer, on the standard menu, or book a diabetic meal and accept it won't be ideal, but either way, portions are going to be modest anyway. Going Virgin (I am assuming by reference to "Upper"), you will be offered a full English breakfast as an option at breakfast. The diabetic option the other day was mushroon omelette. I don't think you have to go too far from your chosen path, without going to the trouble of packing up food. I also know you can't take food into the States, Canada and there are restrictions inbound to UK. I know you are talking about consuming it en route, but I just wouldn't.

Relax and enjoy yourself. There's always something to eat. If you are worried about this, you will have far greater challenges when you're away.

Do you do much socialising or eating out in the UK, where you have to modify your eating as you go along?
 



they would think me mad, you're right, yes we always go virgin, usually visit USA a couple of times a year, i'm being stupid.
when we eat out here i have something with salad, so planned to do the same, we are visiting my husbands family, his uncle is diabetic so thought it wouldn't be to hard with them, at least they will understand, i hope as i haven't meet them before. thanks for making me think, i some times feel all at sea.
 
Would take own food if worried. Eat theirs where possible and supplement with own if theirs was too carb heavy.
 
Scandichic said:
Would take own food if worried. Eat theirs where possible and supplement with own if theirs was too carb heavy.
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andbreathe is right they would think me unhinged, last time we went to New York Collin Farrell was sat by me, i would not be able to unpack food, i think they'll do their best, i'll tell myself i'm on a fast, drink lots of water, thanks though
 
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