During our trip-planning meeting last weekend, was surprised with the news that one of our group is diabetic and this is going to take special dietary consideration. I just don't have a much experience with this situation so I'm feeling a little challenged. Most of our regular non-perishable menu is full of carbs and sugar which are bad for him. Most of the proteins I'm familiar with are perishable and that may limit him to not much more than jerky for the whole trip.

I called an outfitter or two to seek their advice on what they do with the menu when fully outfitting a group who has a member of the party with these "special" needs. The folks I contacted did not have a lot of experience with this situation. Looking for ideas on what others on this forum have done. Our trip leaves Aug 21st. Thanks!

quote bottomtothetap: "During our trip-planning meeting last weekend, was surprised with the news that one of our group is diabetic and this is going to take special dietary consideration... "

Type 1 or 2? I am assuming Type 2, but it will be important to clarify since dietary needs are very differnt....

I have spent many nights in the park since being diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic approximately 8 years ago and will be in the park for a week again next week beginning Tuesday.

Personally I am on oral med's ( glipizide and Januvia ) and am not dependent upon injections.

Food planning for myself has always been relatively easy. I find that my glucose level drops considerably when in the park due to the physical exertion.

Every diabetic is different but I can tell you what I usually do.

I typically plan on a total daily carb intake of between 60 and 100 depending upon what the day has in store. If its a travel day, I'm consuming upwards of 100. Furthermore, I generally try to keep about 75% of these carbs within breakfast and lunch.

As an example, a good quick breakfast for a traveling day might be I package of pop-tarts and 1 mug of Swiss Miss sugar free hot chocolate. This will total approximately 80 carbs.

Huge differences exist between some brands of low / no sugar food items in terms of taste. As your packing, a few items I would suggest for your companion.

1) Log Cabin Sugar Free syrup - this stuff rocks and my girls actually prefer it over the standard stuff.
2) Smuckers sugar free jelly in the squeeze bottles - strawberry & grape
3) Swiss Miss sugar free hot chocolate

For myself, I always have a few jolly ranchers in my pocket that I can snack on if I feel myself getting too low though generally I'm always giving them to my girls.

Good luck with the planning. Don't be too freaked out about your companion. As long as he understands how he feels he will be fine. IMPORTANT NOTE - for me, perfect glucose level modulation when inside the park simply isn't possible. I take the approach of keeping myself in a safe zone ( approximately 90-140 glucose level ) which is a whole lot easier to obtain.

Your diabetic trip-mate should know exactly what he/she needs. Perhaps you need to make that person responsible for packing their own food. It isn't true that diabetics need NO sugar or carbs; everyone has to have carbs. And, as has been said, depending upon whether it is a type1 (insulin dependent) or type2 (primarily dietary controlled with perhaps some oral medication) diabetic situation, the dietary restrictions are completely different.

I have been canoe-tripping with an insulin-dependent diabetic since 1976. It isn't all that difficult, but he certainly DOES eat carbs! For protein he eats peanut butter, nuts, summer sausage, jerky, and the same sorts of proteins as anyone else. For carbs he eats dried fruit, crackers, rice, potatoes, granola bars, and then when his blood glucose gets dangerously low he has to have sugar--a drink of Kool-aid, some glucose gel, or candy.

We take fresh eggs, and have pancakes and eggs for breakfast, or eggs and hash browns. Our first night out we have steak and oranges. Our evening meals are freeze-dried (we don't fish) and I have to supplement with extra rice or noodles to accommodate the extra carbs he needs as they are usually too low in carbs for his allotted amount. But he is thin, and he is type1. It might be very different for a type2, especially if they are more of the overweight body type.

Personally, we do not use artificial sweeteners, so his carbs come from real maple syrup, real sugar, and natural ingredients only. It is just a personal choice, as we avoid chemicals when possible.

The diet for a type2 diabetic would be different in many ways. Probably more long-acting carbs, more protein, and not as much need for the simple sugars because there wouldn't be the crash (but sometimes with lots of exercise they have low-blood sugar crashes, too).

But the person you are traveling with, if they are knowledgeable about their diabetes, should be the one who can plan this and give you the advice you need. If not, perhaps they aren't ready to go out into the wilderness. . .because they aren't capable of caring for their own medical health, and asking you to be responsible for it is unreasonable.

My husband is diabetic - type 2 - and takes insulin twice a day. He continues to take his insulin while we are in the BW - however he lowers his dose to accommodate all of the exercise/activity. We are usually out for one week - and he eats well. First night is usually fresh steak and vegetables - and we try to fit in fish as well. We look for lower carb Mountain House meals too. Breakfast is different each day - but we have powdered eggs with bacon at least two mornings - hot oatmeal and pecans on other mornings. Lunch is usually peanut butter and jelly on a whole wheat pita pocket...or a packet of tuna on a pita. We bring fresh fruit including apples and oranges. He snacks on almonds or trail mix. We always have high carb energy bars in case his blood sugar level drops, which sometimes happens, especially with lots of exercise and activity. Beef jerky or turkey jerky are always in the food pack too. There really are lots of options for diabetics - you just need to plan the menu in advance.

Good luck!

Thank you to all for advice. I am not diabetic, nor do I have any immediate family members with diabetes so have not made a point to become real knowledgeable on the dietary requirements--just a rudimentary grasp of it based on friend's and extended family's experience.

This BWCA trip is already providing for one of my goals on each trip I take: Learn something new!

I do not know if he (future brother-in-law) is type one or two or if he takes insulin. Now I know a couple of more questions to ask and have a bit more of an idea on how to have a meaningful conversation with him about his diabetes and what that means for this trip.

I know HE should ultimately be responsible for himself and what he eats, but if something goes awry, it will be the rest of us who will be responsible for him. He is a first timer and as the person who is organizing this trip and the one who invited him, I do feel responsible for preparing him properly.

Again, thanks for the info. I'm certainly open to any more thoughts from this helpful community!

You are correct. The phrase you used that is key is "preparing him properly". He should understand how much extra energy you think he will be expending (how hard is your trip going to be??), and he should evaluate his own physical conditioning to see how much he thinks it will affect his BG (blood glucose) control to canoe and portage.

It is entirely possible that he will need EXTRA carbs, and you will need to know what KIND of extra carbs fit into his diet plan. You should ask him how he acts when his BG is unusually low, if he knows. For example, some people get dizzy, some get angry or irritable, some get really silly and goofy, some sweat profusely, and some do any one of those things quite unpredictably (that describes my husband. I never know who I am going to encounter once the BG gets below 55-60.) But you will need to recognize a difference in his behavior so that you can remind him to eat something, because sometimes they don't know enough to do that on their own. And that applies to both type1 and type2 diabetics, once that BG dips below a certain level. Sometimes you have to rescue, even if they dont' like it.

My suggestion is that you talk to him. Try to get him to tell you what his diet plan is like, what type of diabetes he is dealing with, what kind of medication he is on (if any), and how long he has had the condition. Ask him if he keeps tight control or not. And get a feel for how he handles it in his normal life. Then explain to him what a canoe trip is like, and ask him how you can plan snacks and meals that will be good for him to stay healthy and on an even keel. If he is fairly experienced in dealing with his condition, he should be comfortable talking with you about it and helping you with your planning.

Then just have a great trip and relax! Just keep an eye on him if you are working really, really hard. . .because he may underestimate how much fuel his body needs. :-)

I trip with a type 1 diabetic. He uses an insulin pump. For the most part he tells us to just plan the meals and he will adjust accordingly. I know how to check his bg levels and personally carry an emergency glucagon pen in my pocket for him in case something happens.

quote rupprider: "I trip with a type 1 diabetic. He uses an insulin pump. For the most part he tells us to just plan the meals and he will adjust accordingly. I know how to check his bg levels and personally carry an emergency glucagon pen in my pocket for him in case something happens. "

Ditto.

But perhaps their friend isn't like this. That is what they need to find out.

quote Spartan2: "

quote rupprider: "I trip with a type 1 diabetic. He uses an insulin pump. For the most part he tells us to just plan the meals and he will adjust accordingly. I know how to check his bg levels and personally carry an emergency glucagon pen in my pocket for him in case something happens. "

Ditto.


But perhaps their friend isn't like this. That is what they need to find out."

I agree 100% everyone is different and I've seen people that are very responsible with their diabetes and unfortunately those that aren't.

Have a diabetic wife since the age of 3 and many others in her family. Only thing I can add is that temperature WILL play a large factor on how fast their body uses the sugar. Many times on campouts in the back yard with wife and the others -- the diabetics are WEAK by 3-4am ,, and in some cases glucagon shot add to be administered. This can prepared for in advance with very warm clothes and reletively higher blood sugar before bed and candy close by etc...
and avoid the alcohol. It raises cain with their sugar levels in an allready different environment for most.

I agree with you all. All I can add is check blood sugar often I'm talking 10 - 15 times a day. Don't let your blood sugar get dangerous low. If he does get low be patient, it will take 15 - 30 minutes to get it back to normal. Bad things can happen when you are low.
Look for slurred speach, stumbling, argumentative etc. Basically acting like he is drunk. The others in the group need to watch also. When he is working hard he may not be aware he is getting low. Extreme activity can sometimes hide it. If you suspect he is low ask him to check his Blood sugar.

My son is a type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetic. He does a lot of canoeing and backpacking. It is imperative that he have enough carbs to keep his blood sugar at a high enough level.

If his blood sugar gets low due to exertion or delayed meals or snacks he can become hypoglycemic. This results in lethargy and confusion. If he doesn't get his blood sugar back up it can lead to convulsions and unconsciousness.

Since he's been diabetic for 37 years he's good at keeping his blood sugar high enough. When he's on a trip he eats a LOT of carbs.

I would also suggest a group meeting and talk to him about what you should be aware of with his medical condition. I've been a type 1 for 43 years and it wouldn't bother me.
But it could embarrass him. Your whole group needs to be aware of his medical needs.
Remember it is your trip too. The more you know the better. He should be willing to talk to you.

quote WhiteWolf: "Have a diabetic wife since the age of 3..."

WhiteWolf, you got married rather young! :)

bottomtothetap: "Thank you to all for advice. I am not diabetic, nor do I have any immediate family members with diabetes so have not made a point to become real knowledgeable on the dietary requirements--just a rudimentary grasp of it based on friend's and extended family's experience.


This BWCA trip is already providing for one of my goals on each trip I take: Learn something new!


I do not know if he (future brother-in-law) is type one or two or if he takes insulin. Now I know a couple of more questions to ask and have a bit more of an idea on how to have a meaningful conversation with him about his diabetes and what that means for this trip.


I know HE should ultimately be responsible for himself and what he eats, but if something goes awry, it will be the rest of us who will be responsible for him. He is a first timer and as the person who is organizing this trip and the one who invited him, I do feel responsible for preparing him properly.


Again, thanks for the info. I'm certainly open to any more thoughts from this helpful community! "

Revisiting another old thread after an interesting development for me in the last day or two...

This thread was originally for planning a trip with my diabetic, now brother-in-law and seeking menu advice.

Well, guess what? A "routine" physical just yesterday brought me to a diagnosis of adult-onset type-2 diabetes, so now it's time for me to learn a lot of this in earnest. I have ZERO symptoms other than the blood-work numbers telling this story so did not expect to hear this diagnosis. "Higher" blood sugar had been mentioned to me years ago but not to this level of concern. Admittedly, the last year (as for many of us) has not been my most healthful living. I put on the "Covid-19" pounds and could probably have stood to lose a pound or two before that all started. My diet is not horrible but not great either and likely did slip in quality in the last year as well--I'm sure that contributed along with some ancestral history of this condition.

New exercise routine (with a trainer) starts in two days and formal nutritional education begins next week. Mild med plan for now as well.

Just the other day, I hosted the first group planning for a BWCA trip I hope to lead in 2021. This new news will probably change that planning some and I'm re-reading all of your helpful advice on this thread from eight years ago.

I know that the science and tripping gear/food evolves so also would welcome recent experiences or anything new to know regarding a BWCA trip for type-2 diabetics.

Remember you will probably be eating better and excercising more on a canoe trip, so don't go crazy trying to reduce calories. Even if your BS spiked 100 during your trip it would not make much of a differance for a week or 2. However, a drop of 100 could kill you! Take some candy or juice for sure!

Been a type 1 diabetic since 2007 and have been going to the BWCA for just as long. Here is what I have learned. Don’t bring chocolate if you have a low especially in the summer. Last thing you want is a melted mess while dealing with a low. I like skittles. Glucose tablets pack easy. I know it is against the rules but I keep a bag of skittles or a tube of glucose in my tent for lows in the middle of the night which for me are most common. Again you dont want to deal with getting a food pack down or digging in a blue barrel in the middle of the night while dealing with a low. Also keep the candy/ tablets on your person at all times. In my tent the candy/ tablets go in the loft to keep it off the floor.

CHeck your blood sugars often, at least 8 times a day and after each portage. It’s okay to be high durning the entire trip, too.

I have a pump for my insulin and even though it is supposedly waterproof I still put it in a ziploc bag. One year I did two bags. It is an expensive piece of equipment to replace. Cut the corner of a sealed end for the tube to go through and then duct tape it. Also I bring insulin in pens as a fall back. Tell your doctor and insurance why you want both (if you need insulin)and they will usually accommodate it.