Alternatives for Diabetics

[sask]

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?

Honey and/or nuts are good for a quick BS fix ... apple juice (cider) or any fruit juice. Perserved fruit, for out of season fruits ... however the jars would not (and should not ) be period correct.

Sue Anne Knowlton

[Miche_Todd]

Re: 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

Oh man! I need to clarify something!!! I am the person in the group with food allergies, NOT the diabetic that wanted to bring beanie weanies!!! I would never do that!!!!! :tounge_sm I just avoid period foods I can't eat, not bring modern substitutions!!!

[KarinTimour]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

Dear Miche:

I think your point about nuts is well taken -- I have a good friend who is both nut and fish allergic -- if you've never dealt with it, you have no idea how fast anaphlactic (sic?) reactions can close someone's windpipe. In my experience it's far too fast for us to always be able to get an ambulance to someone in the field. Since there is an increasing trend to sharing dishes, food and cooking as a group, things like food allergies need to be higher in our awareness. As period reenactors who are often searching for easy to transport, period food, it's not uncommon to have people bring a bag of nuts or shell peanuts and not really take care with where the shells fall in terms of dishes that may be sitting out on a table.

I think it's important to share that type of information ahead of time with the civilian coordinator and if someone dosen't feel comfortable being identified as "the one with the nut allergy" then the civilian coordinator could spell out that if you bring nuts you have to be very careful how you handle them and that they don't come in contact with someone else's eating surfaces.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Hats, Balaclavas
"The Stories in the Socks" -- Women in the Civil War Conference, Richmond, VA, June 2004
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Alternatives for Diabetics

While the form is not yet linked into the menus of the pages, you'll find the Emergency Medical Information form I mentioned here:

http://www.elizabethstewartclarkandcompany.com/GAMC/GAMC3/LS/LS3/MedForm2004.pdf

You will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to open the file. PDF files do take a moment to open--do not despair!

Please abide by the copyright restrictions on this form; while you're welcome to photocopy and use it as often as you need for yourself or a group, and it may be included in newsletters and information packets, please do not submit it for publication, place a copy on your website, or charge for copies of the form or instructions. (You get it for free, so keep it that way.)