Thread: Diabetic cruising

I was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. No insulin shots, but must control with regular diet and exercise. Any advice?

Susan, sorry for the diagnosis, but glad it isn't getting you down. Nowadays you can live life pretty much the way it was before the diagnosis.

All cruiselines will work with you on your diet. They offer a lot of sugar free items and the head waiters seem to be knowledgable and can help with suggestions.

Of course, it's still up to you to make the right choices, but that will get easier as you adjust your thinking to what you CAN eat rather than what you can't.

You will certainly get exercise on the ship, evening walks out on deck after dark is just beautiful. My Hubby is a type 2 and he splurges on a cruise once a year, he is good the rest of the year. As Char said the head waiter will work with you

I am diabetic as well, but I am type I, so I do have to do the shots... not particularly fun... however, I too have to be very careful of what I eat, and while I was really worried how that would work out before we took out first cruise last year, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. It's really easy to load up on proteins and scale back on carbs, especially in the buffets because you can take a good amount of fish, grilled chicken, etc., and just take a couple bites worth of rice, potatoes, pasta, etc. You have to allow yourself little amounts of the "good stuff" or else it's too easy to get tempted and fall off the wagon. Since we have to give our body carbs, try to get it in as natural a form as possible, fresh fruit and veggies help to offset some of the breads and heavier starches. And don't feel like you have to avoid dessert at all costs, just avoid the denser dishes. Brownies are so dense they can have 2-3 times the carb content of an angel food cake, or something lighter/less dense.

Originally Posted by CaliTraveler77

I am diabetic as well, but I am type I, so I do have to do the shots... not particularly fun... however, I too have to be very careful of what I eat, and while I was really worried how that would work out before we took out first cruise last year, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. It's really easy to load up on proteins and scale back on carbs, especially in the buffets because you can take a good amount of fish, grilled chicken, etc., and just take a couple bites worth of rice, potatoes, pasta, etc. You have to allow yourself little amounts of the "good stuff" or else it's too easy to get tempted and fall off the wagon. Since we have to give our body carbs, try to get it in as natural a form as possible, fresh fruit and veggies help to offset some of the breads and heavier starches. And don't feel like you have to avoid dessert at all costs, just avoid the denser dishes. Brownies are so dense they can have 2-3 times the carb content of an angel food cake, or something lighter/less dense.

density - hadn't thought of that - thanks!

tough news but you will be fine, just pay attention to your body and diet. after a few mos,your new eating habits will become natural to you. have been a type 2 for over 15 yrs. up till @ 5 yrs ago controlled it w/ diet & exercise ( when was diagnosed, weighed a huge !!!! 300+ lbs, lost 160 lbs in 5yrs and have kept it off). was on 2 pills a day, but started taking an all natural cinnamon supplement pill everyday and now am down to one pill a day and my sugar levels are hi normal.
I have never been a big carb eater so wasn't hard to avoid them but remember, have to eat complex carbs. beans, dark breads, etc. they aborb sugar. don't avoid sweets entirely, it's not eating sugar that is the main cause of diabetes, it's your body not processing & using it properly. plus as been said here, & my dr tells me, you have to reward yourself. just do everything in moderation.
I found the biggest help was exercising, go to gym 2-3 x's a week & ride an exercise bike for 10 miles and if miss a couple of days, it shows in my sugar readings.
Good luck and take it one day at a time. I will add you to my prayer list. Debbie

tough news but you'll be ok. I have been a type 2 for 15+ yrs. till @ 5 yrs ago, controlled w/ diet & exercise (when diagnosed,weighed a whooping 300+lbs, lost 160 lbs in 5 yrs and have kept it off). was on 2 pills a day but started taking an all natural cinnamon supplement everyday and now down to 1 pill and sugar levels are within normal.
remember to eat complex carbs, beans, dark breads etc. they absorb excess sugar, avoiding carbs wasn't a prob for me, never really like them. and do treat yourself w/ sweets here & there, as said here & by my dr, you deserve it. eating sweets is not what causes diatbetes, can contribute yes, but its caused by your body not processing & using sugar properly that is the cause.
for me exercise is the biggie, go to the gym 2-3 x's week, ride the exercise bike for 10 miles, and if miss a few days, it shows in my sugar levels.
will add you to my prayer list. but you will do fine and in few mos. the changes in your lifestyle will be normal and you won't give them a thought. GOOD LUCK.
Most ships have a section for you to select your diet restrictions or preferences. and as said here, the choices are so many that there won't be a prob or lack of food for you to eat.

oops sorry for the repeat message, but the 1st one my computer told me the page expired & when went back to site, didn't see it posted. so wrote it again. mea culpa.

Depending on the cruiseline (and possibly every cruiseline), they will work with you on dietary requests. When I put "low cholesterol" in my hubby's cruise personalizer for one Princess cruise, the head waiter came over every night with the next night's menu and asked him to select his choice. The next night, our waiter brought his meal, cooked without extra fat, for him.

I have enjoyed many of the sugar-free desserts I've had on Carnival and Princess. They seem to know how to make them tasty.

In your case, you may want to ask your TA to fax in the info to the cruiseline. That way, the head waiter may want to meet with you at the first meal and make recommendations for you.

Don't know about other cruise lines but on Princess last year they had a "Lotus Spa recommendations" These were all healthy choices. My Mum has Type 2 and was delighted with the choices available.