Alternatives for Diabetics

[MissAnnaMae]

We have a situation in our group where a gal is closely monitoring her sugar intake and has been contemplating what snacks she can take to an immersion event in case her blood sugar drops too low. She had mentioned bringing foods that are cleary non-period and we are at a loss for period remedies. Other than suggesting natural sugars, such as those found in fruits, what else might be widely acceptable? We certainly understand the need to maintain one's health with modern medications but what about dietary needs?

[DixieLand1859]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

Though I personally don’t have any ideas I may be able to offer some assistance. My current girlfriend is a diabetic and also a personal trainer so she has a good background and may be able to help your friend. I'll ask her your question as soon as I can and get back to you. If you prefer feel free to contact me at my email Chaos007@attbi.com

Hopefully I can be of some assistance

[BHoover]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

We have a situation in our group where a gal is closely monitoring her sugar intake and has been contemplating what snacks she can take to an immersion event in case her blood sugar drops too low. She had mentioned bringing foods that are cleary non-period and we are at a loss for period remedies. Other than suggesting natural sugars, such as those found in fruits, what else might be widely acceptable? We certainly understand the need to maintain one's health with modern medications but what about dietary needs?

True hypoglycemia is fairly rare, and is usually the side effect of diabetes medicine. There are also a few kinds that can happen in non-diabetics as well. If this is "self-diagnosed" then she will most likely do what she wants, but if it is a true medical condition, she should be under the care of a physician, and be following the advice they give her.

Some good information is given by National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and they list appropriate foods. If you read the information at the link you'll see that the appropriate foods differ depending on the type of hypoglycemia. What is good for one type can be very bad for a different type. This is another reason it's important that she be under a physician's care for the condition.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

I would ditto the response that it needs to be done with a doctor's assistance, and that she give him a list of specifications, ie foods need to be refrigeration-free.

Compared to some medical concerns, this one is relatively easy to fix!

* Hard candies can be kept, unwrapped, in a small poke sack in the pocket.
* Hard cheeses will provide quick dairy "juice" without needing the refrigeration of soft cheese (things like chedder get soft, but don't spoil in 2-3 days of low refrigeration, such as would be provided by keeping them covered, in a cool spot.)
* Switchel and Shrub can be made in concentrate form, sweetened with honey, for a period appropriate, no-refrig "fast sugar"
* Complex carbohydrate crackers can be kept in period-appropriate wrappings
* Preserved meats (salami, etc) can provide a protein pick-up without refrigeration
* Dried fruits
* Fresh apples and other fruit in season

I would just encourage her to take a look at it from a different tack, asking:

What period foods will meet my medical needs?

Just brainstorming (and with limited knowledge of diabetes from grandmothers, aunts, and MIL with various types of diabetes) yeilds a pretty decent list... get a doctor involved, and it could be a huge long list. (And when you have it, PLEASE share it here!)

[Johan Steele]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

Maple Sugar candy might be an option for her. It's small and portable and it's certainly period. It's a bit pricey but it would solve the issue.

[BHoover]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

Maple Sugar candy might be an option for her. It's small and portable and it's certainly period. It's a bit pricey but it would solve the issue.

This may or may not be good advice. If you read the link I provided earlier, one kind of hypoglycemia is called "reactive" and sugar will actually make it worse. That's why it's so important to have a diagnosis and know what you're dealing with.

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

I really appreciate everyone's input! She is under a doctor's care and is mainly controlling her symptoms with diet and exercise. Our group has been discussing an immersion event we are participating in here in a couple of weeks and she mentioned some very non-period foods as remedies should her blood sugar drop. Lord, I feel so facetious for being ashamed at what she proposed to bring, as if I'd put authenticity above her health, but I knew there had to be reasonable period alternatives.

[Spinster]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

she mentioned some very non-period foods as remedies should her blood sugar drop. Lord, I feel so facetious for being ashamed at what she proposed to bring, as if I'd put authenticity above her health, but I knew there had to be reasonable period alternatives.

And if the "non-period" problem is not solvable, there is the "keep it totally hidden" alternative. Mine and Susan's emergency medical injectors, inhalers, and such hang hidden in the period pocket hanging from my waist, easily accessible through the dogleg of my dress, but slung low enough to be hidden in the folds of my corded petticoat. When necessary, this thing even holds an ice pack. We also utilize the interior top of stockings for such item--sort of like the dirk in a kilted Scotsman's stocking-hidden, but close at hand....

And we count living history events as a time to be extra vigilant about preventative measures, and are quick to call one another to task, using certain catch phrases if one of us is being goofy.

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

NEVER compromise health--with a thing so simple as food intake, there are great period items that will suit the bill; with larger complications (I'm asthmatic, and can't use an inhaler, so I have to have a nebulizer, solution, and electricity if things don't go well), the "politely hidden" is a good option. I can retreat to an electrified, private place to "smoke the peace pipe", and return to the event when able. However, in an acute crisis, this delay could be dangerous, so I have to make another hard choice:

The Less Popular Option: attending events only when health concerns are under control. For me, this means missing one of the very few events out this way last year, because my lungs weren't functioning enough to be away from a nebulizer, even for short periods. It means severe limits or complete non-attendance of camping events and battle events, where the smoke will send me reeling. Not popular with me, but it's what I have to do to protect my health.

For someone still working out their diet as a diabetic, it might mean waiting until things are better controlled before venturing into a "field" setting. It might mean doing some "trial runs" at home, spending the weekend in the backyard in period clothing, testing out how much liquid is needed, when sugar drops are likely to happen, etc.

If she's relatively controlled, push period food options--again, I'm confident there are dozens! I'd take it from a "we won't have refrigeration there, and modern things will pull you out of the fun--let's look at what meets the need, and still stays period."

Common ailments that are minor in a controlled, home setting can be deadly when out at an event, away from the things we need to control them.

Which reminds me--we'll be putting the printable Emergency Medical Information form back on our website in the next few weeks, free for all who want to print, copy, and use it. I'll post when it's available.

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

I'm glad you are reposting your form. I went looking for it last night and didn't see it on your website. This discussion has opened up some dialog on others in our group who might have serious medical issues (if they care to disclose them) and what we need to do should they have a crisis. For example, one of our gals is allergic to peanuts so we know to keep goobers away when she is in attendance.

On the subject of food substitutes, our friend had informed us she wanted to bring beans and weenies and peanut butter (there, I said it!) as remedies for her blood sugar. Some of us went privately reeling as we cannot think of anyway to disguise those very obvious foods. I just get sick at my stomach when I think of the alternative if she doesn't accept the suggestions we've gleaned off this forum and on our list- bowing out of the event. It will be her first immersion event and except for asking her to retreat deep into the woods to partake of her snacks, we just don't think it's right to have such a modern food item intrude on another's immersive experience. Am I being overtly picky or insensitive?

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

I don't think you're being overly sensitive; especially in immersive settings, those non-period things can really jar the others, so it's a matter of combining real health needs with consideration for others.

Sounds like she's needing a way to keep quick protein with a bit of sugars readily available.

The protein in the nut butter could be provided in a period form with actual nuts--shelled or in shell--which all could enjoy... what time of year do you harvest peanuts, anyhow? LOL Other nuts may have been stored over the winter; shelled almonds have a goodly amount of protein, too.

Rather than beans-n-weenies, what about summer sausage (very easy), bean soup with ham-hock (again, butchering time might be off, but it's more period than not), or another combined protein source of similar nature?

Cooked/tinned beans would be quick if eaten cold, but would require refrigeration, so that might not be an option.

Is it a static immersion setting, or a mobile one? If static, a pot of bean soup won't be difficult at all.

Switchel sweetened with honey would be a good quick sugar, but not protein....

I'd stay optimistic, and move forward expecting that she'll want to find period solutions to the protein question. A firm and gentle, "There are certain standards we have to meet for participation, so we need to look at the medical needs, and find period ways to meet it" may be the best thing for all concerned. I know I'll often worry myself to death wondering how someone will respond to something, and then I actually bring up the topic, and it's no big deal at all! (This is NOT worth getting wrinkles over--she'll either want to participate at this event, within the event guidelines, or she'll prefer to wait for another one--totally her choice!)

****
The form just needs to be PDFd and posted; I'll see if David can get to it this weekend.

For those who are head-scratching: it's a printable form David designed several years ago, that when filled out completely, gives a paramedic or hospital personnel a VERY complete medical history snapshot, in the event you are unable to provide it yourself. It also includes insurance, doctor, and religious preferences, and some questions that a good medic will ask, but most folks wouldn't think to mention off-hand.

We include instructions on how to use the form in a group setting without compromising privacy or confidentiality, as well.

The PDF version prints out perfectly each time, and makes it simple to photo-copy and use in groups, or for individuals... no weird margins. :)

[M_Kupsch]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

I might be of some assistance, having developed Type I (Insulin Dependent) Diabetes 13 years ago. I participate in immersion events and have not had any problems. What is does require is some planning and a little bit of work before the event.

There are plenty of period candy recipes so that eating a "snickers" to raise the blood sugar is not required. What's nice is as a civilian, she would have access to those items more readily than a soldier, such as myself. Also, there are plenty of period items that one can make small meals of throughout the day to sustain the blood sugar levels. I would recommend discussing the period foods with her dietician and developing meal plans that will accomodate her health needs and allow for immersion experiences.

What I do is realize that for the next few days, I am not going to be able to monitor my blood sugar levels, and that I will most likely expend more energy and eat less than normal, which a diabetic has to take these factors into consideration. So what does that mean? It means that you need to cut back on the insulin because the extra activity and less food consumption will decrease your blood sugar level and cause "lows." But what do you do if you experience an insulin reaction? I carry cookies made with period recipes. The minute I feel anything remotely like a reaction, I eat some cookies. I also carry cone sugar and have it at the ready for such emergencies. Finally, all my mess mates are totally aware of my condition, the signs to watch for indicating I am in trouble, and the necessary steps to help me if or when I can't help myself.

Bottom line, prior planning, working with the dietician, letting your associates know of your condition and what emergency action they might need to take, etc will make for a truly rewarding experience with only minor deviations from immersion (oh I keep my insulin & needles in poke bag, and when it is time to take a shot, I simply excuse myself to visit the sinks so that I do not ruin anyone's immersion experience seeing me take my shot).

[Hank Trent]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

If she can pinpoint what it is in the foods that she needs (sugar, protein, etc.), here's a really helpful site to get the nutrient content of various foods.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

For example, you can see that two tablespoons of peanut butter has 8 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of sugars, while two ounces of peanuts have 13.4 grams of protein and 2.4 grams of sugars. Thus if she can get an idea of comparable quantities and various foods that could be substituted.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[rbrewer]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

I have been dealing with hypoglychemia for about 20 years, cant deal with processed sugar, need to do in bettween meal snacks.
I carry trail mix( nuts , dried fruit-dry it at home) peeled orange's, biscuts with baked ham , jerky, keep it in my haversack in "ditty bags"( FHW location in Gettysburg sells these,made from thier scraps for about 2$)dont know if this is acceptable in some circles, works for me.
Cant stress enough what was previoulsy mentioned- see a doctor about this( nutritionest also) I make everyone around me aware of my situation before drill /battles.Also I keep my medic alert card and braclet on me.
Hope this helps-good luck.
Bob Brewer

[Miche_Todd]

And other food related problems

Ok, I admit it!! I am the nut allergic person. Along with several others to numerous to mention!!! I also want to add that it is very important to know if any of the others that will be with you have any food allergies. I ma so highly allergic to certain foods that I could even have a life threatening reaction from cross contamination, i.e., a peanut touching the plate before my food is on the plate, same with fish, etc. Seriously!! It is also a very good idea to make sure that several people around you know how to administer your meds in case you are incapacitated.
:wink_smil