My Husband Tries To Be Gluten Free

[BamBam]

A couple weeks ago Verlin (my husband) had to be out of town for five days for a convention. He took a few snack items, and didn't know what they would be serving. There were approximately 1700 people at this convention. Anyway, to make a long story short he ate gluten, he took the breading off some items, he ate some prime rib that supposedly didn't have the aju juice on it. Over the period of the Convention he ate gluten a few times. He got kinda plugged up and now he has had diarrhea for the last three days or so.

What would you recommend a diabetic to take with him in a situation like this. I told him next time we will know more, whether there is a frig or microwave in the room and things like that. But some of the lunches were lunches and meetings at the same time, so he really couldn't leave to make something on his own.

Thank you in advance.

Bam Bam

[NoGluGirl]

A couple weeks ago Verlin (my husband) had to be out of town for five days for a convention. He took a few snack items, and didn't know what they would be serving. There were approximately 1700 people at this convention. Anyway, to make a long story short he ate gluten, he took the breading off some items, he ate some prime rib that supposedly didn't have the aju juice on it. Over the period of the Convention he ate gluten a few times. He got kinda plugged up and now he has had diarrhea for the last three days or so.

What would you recommend a diabetic to take with him in a situation like this. I told him next time we will know more, whether there is a frig or microwave in the room and things like that. But some of the lunches were lunches and meetings at the same time, so he really couldn't leave to make something on his own.

Thank you in advance.

Bam Bam

Dear BamBam,

Diabetes is awful. My grandfather has it. Couple that with Celiac and travel, and you have a royal pain in the butt to deal with! No pun intended. I wonder if he could speak to his employer and see if they could find a way that when he travels he could stay at the Homestead Inn. They have kitchens inside the suites. That way, he can be sure he only eats what is safe for him. There are some things he can buy for his stay from Wal-Mart and some other basic stores that are just about everywhere. Even gas stations carry Dinty Moore Beef Stew! Thank goodness! Getting him some Glutino bars would be good to do as well. Del Monte canned veggies and fruit are an easy staple to find. With this disease, it is about survival!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

P.S. I actually have the opposite trouble, reactive hypoglycemia. I make sure to have things on hand no matter what! I have a small glass bottle I take with me in my purse of pure maple syrup in case I need it. Your husband may want to do the same in case of insulin shock! He could put it in his pocket.

[elye]

Ahhhhh.....diabetes isn't awful. I've been type one for thirty-four years, tightly controlled for most of that time. Inconvenient, yes. Eye-opening, sure. But never awful...

...okay, sometimes yucky...

First off, a much better thing to carry around for insulin reactions is a pack of glucose tablets. They are available in the drug store, and because they are 100% glucose, they act IMMEDIATELY, unlike candy/syrup. I take two tabs and within seconds my shakes stop and my head clears. Highly recommended! And convenient, too--they are in a small plastic tube that fits into any pocket.

Secondly, travelling is a tough thing diet-wise for diabetic celiacs. However, I have found over the years that sticking to the adage which is so important for both diseases--staying clear of most things processed--is best, and gets easier. On my travels I always have handy my home-made trail mix (seeds, nuts, cranberries and raisins), cheese and fruit, fruit, fruit. I keep my grain intake low, but on these occasions I bring along my gluten-free muffins which can stay unrefrigerated for a couple of days. I have brought them into meetings no problem. In fact, I've brought all of this stuff into meetings, if it's a long lunch gathering. There are some great diabetic muffin recipes available on-line, and I simply substitute the flour.

Best of luck!

[Cuervo]

I agree with Elye.

I have had type 1 diabetes for 20 years now and it is not that bad at all. I guess because it is a way of life now. Travelling with it really is no problem. I just recently went away for a weekend and really all you have to do is make sure that you bring some food with you. Most hotels now have fridges and microwaves in the rooms. If they don't then there is almost always a microwave in the lobby and you can keep your food good by just keeping it in the bathroom sink with ice under it. Like Elye I always bring fresh fruit and this last time I brought my rice crispies. There are always local grocery stores to buy snacks and other stuff as well.

[RiceAddict]

I am also a type 1 diabetic. I wear an insulin pump and I count carbs religiously. I've only been celiac since Nov, but I have not had too much trouble finding things to eat when away from home. I also have other foods that I am supposed to avaoid (tomatoes, potatoes, dairy.....) I usually just get meat cooked as plain as can be with no spices or sauces or marinades, veggies the same way, and a plain salad, dressing only if I know it is safe. I have to agree to avaid processed foods when traveling when you can. Kinda boring, but it's what I have to do. I carry Cliff bars in my bag. I find that they carry me over when I am at work and have to skip lunch. Everyone is different on what they use to treat low blood sugars. No matter what I eat it takes about 15-20 minutes to work, that drives me crazy and it is hard to keep from over treating a low.

I bet that if you talked to the hotel ahead of time they would arrange for a fridge and or microwave or at least use of the hotel's. The main thing is to speak up! The restaurants and hotels do not mean to be unaccomodating, they just expect everyone to be "normal." So just talk to the restaurant and hotel mgrs, if they don't understand, write a nasty letter to the parent company. Then let us all know on this list and we will send nasty letters too. I have friends in Jersey that can probably arrange for a horses' head to show up on their pillow. lol

[sunshinen]

You just have to go in prepared. Call the convention hosts and ask if they can accommodate your dietary needs.

Talk to room service and order a safe, packed lunch to be ready in the morning as if you were leaving the hotel for the day.

Before leaving your room, pack enough food for the entire day, with twice as many snacks as you would normally take, and keep it in your briefcase/bag.

I'm not diabetic, but I too, am hypoglycemic, so I don't know what suggestions I have that will work, but here is often what I take:

gluten-free crackers

pepperoni slices

deli meats

sliced tomatoes

avocado pre-sliced and in a small sealed container

tortilla chips

pre-cooked chicken

salad in a bowl with a top

trail mix

carrots

boiled eggs

frozen bottle of water to keep the food chilled

fruit

Memorize some common chips that are gluten-free for emergency shopping at the vending machine.