Type 2 Diabetic hikers?

imported
#1

I was recently diagnosed with diabetes. It is type 2, and my numbers weren’t extrememly high, but definitely elevated. In less than a month I already have my blood sugar under control with diet. I am also a vegetarian (and have been for years & years).

Okay, that out of the way…

Any thru-hikers out there who are type 2? I am worried about getting the proper nutrition in sufficient quantities to keep my blood sugar where it needs to be. I mean, I eat 4-6 times a day in small quantities now to keep every thing evened out. I eat between 1500-1800 calories a day, generally, and worry about the massive quantity of calories that thru-hikers begin to require to keep their energy up. I’d hate to end up off the trail because I couldn’t get enough of the right kind of foods (have to stay away from lots of sugar and high fat foods…) But maybe it isn’t as big of a deal with all the exercise you get out there. Any words of wisdom?

Sorry if this post sounds confusing. It is because I am confused and worried about how this will affect my plans.

Any help from diabetic thru-hikers or nutritionist-types would be appreciated.

sweetblood

#2

Sweetblood (good name!) you really need to get a SPORTS physicians opinion IMHO, maybe have him/her consult with your diabetes physician. My mom and sis have it also, and control it with diet (mom) and pills (mom and sis!), so I’ve been day hiking and backpacking to get back healthy before I get it! I think that advice from the forum is cool, but not medical advice…maybe just ask for advice on where to get good medical advice!!! There’s gotta be some good hiker docs out there…try backpacker magazine for some leads, maybe some back issues from the library will have articlessome docs you could call for a referral…don’t play or take chances with your health.

ps. Outdoor magazine sometimes has good articles that mention doctors who specialize in atheletes and endurance sports (and the AT thruhike is endurance, right?!!?)

good luck,

start a journal and I’ll follow you next year, maybe drop some stuff in the mail!

Big Dee

#3

I’m diabetic. Iwalked 420 miles on the AT this year. For me mainaing glucose levels was not the problem. What brought me grief was a subcutaneous infection on my shoulder under the pack strap. The best advice I have heard is to consult a sports phsician as will I for my next try. Skipper

skipper

#4

I found out last year that I’m borderline diabetic with insuline level at 28 when it’s supposed to be under 9. Some diabetics I’ve met had lower numbers than me.

Definitely check with a professional … My doctor gave me a diet similar to Atkins to regulate it and it dropped my numbers down to 4. Can’t ask much more than that. He encourages me to get out there and backpack although I’m not thru-hiking … I am carrying my 18 month old baby.

A couple of things I found out … Did you know you can take sprout seeds and grow sprouts while hiking? Put them in a plastic container that you tie to the top of your pack and cover with cheese-cloth. Soak them each night and drain each morning before heading out. You’ll have fresh sprouts in a couple of days.

I eat a lot of nuts out there and protein bars although their contents are questionable (soy is not on my diet) and sometimes high in sugar (also not on my diet).

I also eat beef-jerky but obviously that’s not an option for you.

When I find my doctor’s website … I’ll post it.

Leslie

#5

Thanks for the replies. Big Dee & Skipper, I hadn’t thought about a sports physician - good idea! I will, of course, consult with my physician. I was just curious about experiences other type 2’s have had on The Trail. I know some type 1’s have done it, and if they can, we can! Keeping their insulin safe must be a real challenge, though I’ve read recently (here I think) about an award-winning thru-hiker invention which enables people to safely carry insulin while backpacking.

Skipper, good luck getting back out there!

Leslie - Brilliant idea about the sprouts! I had wondered about carrying veggies, since they are a major part of my current diet. My diet is based on the food pyramid as it is modified for diabetics.

Good ideas and just knowing others do it helps soothe my worries a bit.

Thanks again!
:girl

sweetblood

#6

This page might be of use to you. It has a suggested menu you could use or modify to your condition, tastes & needs:

Canaima

#7

My husband is Type 2. When he’s hiking, his blood sugar levels are very low so he eats what he wants. Only once in the past three years have they gone too low. But that was for regular hiking and backpacking trips (up to 10 days), not long distance. As usual, we carry lots of snacks, just in case we need a quick pick me up. If you plan to do a long distance hike, it would be a good idea to go out for shorter trips beforehand to see how your body reacts to the exertion. Eat more protein and fats for a slow release of energy rather than a lot of sugar. If you are on meds, you may need to cut them back or even discontinue them. Talk to your doctor about that. See if you can figure out what foods work for you and which ones don’t.

Many years ago I knew a Type 1 Diabetic who thruhiked who had some problems at the beginning regulating intake. He would do a really long day and then crash, so the next day he would struggle to do 3 or 4 miles. After a while he learned how to regulate food and insulin and was able to complete his hike.

Ginny

#8

Just completed my thru hike. I have type I and am the guy with the insulin cooler. I don’t know a whole lot about type 2. But I’m willing to bet that within a month on the trail you’ll be more worried about keeping your blood sugar up than down. Depending how much insulin you are producing or will begin to produce. You like everyone will be starving for calories, and much needed energy which comes from sugar. You won’t have any energy if the bulk of your calories come from proteins and fats. Candy,Candy, Candy. Even though I am totally dependent on insulin my requirements were cut in half, as my sugar intake more than trippled. All I can say is carry your meter and know what your body is doing, most physicians are not experienced with this type of activity. Trial and error. Good luck
Keytone:cheers

keytone