What to do on vacation

[siren6214]

I am 30-years old and had been planning a 3-month inaugural trip to Europe (I'm American) once my work contract was up this June. My husband, Mom and Dad are all coming it's been the source of SO much happiness in planning together. Now that diabetes will be part of my trek, I am terrified that I am going to eat more carbs/sugars than I normally would because knowing what's in my food in America is hard enough and I can read these menus lol. Another aspect (and before you wince) was the fact that we all were excited to try gelato, or try real Italian pizza, and now when my family talks about such things they look at me with newfound terror on their face like they've insulted me. My Mom keeps insisting that if I lose the extra 50-pounds I'm carrying and get my levels within a normal range that I can still have a gelato or still have a slice of pizza. I'd like to believe that's true, (and I realize in the scheme of life this is SUPER low on the totem pole of disappointments) but I don't quite fully understand this disease to know if that's true or not. I am currently too scared to eat anything that has more than 2g sugar or 5g carbs max. What happens to a diabetic who eats like everyone else (not going overboard, just same food choices)? I was just diagnosed 2-weeks ago and I am refusing metformin as I hope to take the reigns on this with diet and exercise, but if I did go on this trip and ate what appeared to be low carb meals but every now and then tried a gelato or tried a pizza or tried a Belgian chocolate? Had I not gotten my physical done 2-weeks ago I'd be eating the same without any immediate problems. In that regard going back for 3-months with an emphasis on low-carb doesn't seem like it's a huge deal...but then I read other articles where it only took someone not caring about what they ate for 9-years or so and they were at risk of losing a leg Other things I read say that even with diet and exercise it's not a matter of if, but when I will have to go on medicine or insulin. Is there any success story of a 30-year old doing diet and exercise to ward off medicine until old age? Sorry, I know that's a lot to answer!

 

[CollieBoy]

@siren6214
Don't over worry on a shortish vacation!
When I was first diagnosed, I was in a worse state than you, meds wise (Bolus & basal insulin) and made worse by the stadard ADA/NHS diet. i cut the carbs and the HbA1c & meds dropped away.
Normally I live a low carb lifestyle, but on vacation, I do let the odd higher carb meal/treat flow my way, as long as i don't make a habit of it.
I hope to,in the future, be living proof that we can not just halt the progress to medicine, but reverse it to diet & exercise at least until my late '80s
P.S. sorry I cant give you a 30 yr old, but I was 44 and reversed out of meds1

 

[Bluetit1802]

You are over thinking and reading a lot of rubbish on websites.

Vacations like the one you are planning are special and to be enjoyed. For goodness sake don't let diabetes control you. Go away and have a fabulous time. One portion of pizza or a Belgian chocolate isn't going to kill you as long as it isn't every day. Just keep an eye on your fasting and bedtime levels and don't stress about it. There will be plenty of low carb options, especially in the Mediterranean countries where you will always find delicious salads to have with your choice of meat, and also vegetables. Just keep away from the sweet desserts and plump for berries and cream.

I'm another one that hopes to live a full and very long life with my diabetes and remain med free. I've managed 22 months so far!

Have a great time.

 

[andcol]

I lost a lot of weight (6 stone, that is 84 lbs) and can now eat ice cream and all sorts and keep my blood glucose in normal zones now. So it is achieveable...

As others have said you are on holiday and I find that all the extra walking and exercise whilst on hols means I can eat even more "holiday" food and not suffer. Enjoy your holiday. BTW all food in europe states carb content excluding fibre so it is easier to calculate than the american tables.

 

[siren6214]

I lost a lot of weight (6 stone, that is 84 lbs) and can now eat ice cream and all sorts and keep my blood glucose in normal zones now. So it is achieveable...

As others have said you are on holiday and I find that all the extra walking and exercise whilst on hols means I can eat even more "holiday" food and not suffer. Enjoy your holiday. BTW all food in europe states carb content excluding fibre so it is easier to calculate than the american tables.

Oh wow! Maybe I should move instead of visit then I really wish my country would get its act together, it's ridiculous

 

[andcol]

Oh wow! Maybe I should move instead of visit then I really wish my country would get its act together, it's ridiculous

well it is too cold to sit on beaches and around pools in the UK so you have to go walking the countryside.

 

[Daphne917]

I had a 5 night break a couple of weeks ago on a half board basis so had a 3 course meal each night. Whilst I was able to choose low-medium carb starters and main the sweets definitely were not!! Surprisingly my BS levels remained god in the evenings and my levels in the mornings were between 4.6 and 6.0. Enjoy your holiday!

 

[AndBreathe]

I am 30-years old and had been planning a 3-month inaugural trip to Europe (I'm American) once my work contract was up this June. My husband, Mom and Dad are all coming it's been the source of SO much happiness in planning together. Now that diabetes will be part of my trek, I am terrified that I am going to eat more carbs/sugars than I normally would because knowing what's in my food in America is hard enough and I can read these menus lol. Another aspect (and before you wince) was the fact that we all were excited to try gelato, or try real Italian pizza, and now when my family talks about such things they look at me with newfound terror on their face like they've insulted me. My Mom keeps insisting that if I lose the extra 50-pounds I'm carrying and get my levels within a normal range that I can still have a gelato or still have a slice of pizza. I'd like to believe that's true, (and I realize in the scheme of life this is SUPER low on the totem pole of disappointments) but I don't quite fully understand this disease to know if that's true or not. I am currently too scared to eat anything that has more than 2g sugar or 5g carbs max. What happens to a diabetic who eats like everyone else (not going overboard, just same food choices)? I was just diagnosed 2-weeks ago and I am refusing metformin as I hope to take the reigns on this with diet and exercise, but if I did go on this trip and ate what appeared to be low carb meals but every now and then tried a gelato or tried a pizza or tried a Belgian chocolate? Had I not gotten my physical done 2-weeks ago I'd be eating the same without any immediate problems. In that regard going back for 3-months with an emphasis on low-carb doesn't seem like it's a huge deal...but then I read other articles where it only took someone not caring about what they ate for 9-years or so and they were at risk of losing a leg Other things I read say that even with diet and exercise it's not a matter of if, but when I will have to go on medicine or insulin. Is there any success story of a 30-year old doing diet and exercise to ward off medicine until old age? Sorry, I know that's a lot to answer!

Three weeks post diagnosis, I crossed the pond to a tropical place for what was originally scheduled to be a 9 month trip. As it was, I split it and came back to UK after 4 months for some checks.

At diagnosis my HbA1c was 73, when I came back at 4 months, I was lighter and my HbA1c was 37. Since then, it had decreased further and I've got skinnier. I can, but don't bother, to eat carrier foods now, because I've just got into an easy groove wher my numbers run in low ranges, and I am extremely well.

I now seem to spend my time almost 50/50 between the Tropics and here, in the UK. The local tropical diet is very carb heavy with rice and tropical fruit featuring, but the usual US (burgers, fries etc.) and Italian options showing up more and more.

Travelling certainly doesn't necessarily herald a disaster zone. It's up to you to set yourself your variables, around how much and how often you'll push the dietary envelope.

We are a very sociable couple, when overseas, and our circle of friends like to dine and party together. I have never, ever been in a situation where I couldn't eat. OK, sometimes I might end up with some slitly odd combinations or be "forced" to have a waffle, with fresh strawberries and cream, when the others might also have maple syrup, but that's just fine by me.

Diabetes absolutely shouldn't be the end of life's adventures. Being well enough to avoid medication clearly gives far more options, but even with medication, I'm positive I would still find a way to enjoy my life to its fullest.

Enjoy your trip.

Just edited to add; if you look at my signature, you will note 37 is my highest post-diagnosis HbA1c, so it can be done.