• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

All inclusive holiday

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
N

nedbowler

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I have just been diagnosed with diabetes with a level of 48. My GP has given me 3 months to try and reduce this otherwise will mean medication. Sadly she didn't give me much advice other than eat healthy and pick up some leaflets from reception!
I have been reading a lot of information on these forums but am finding things a bit confusing as it is all so new.
I think I need to buy a blood testing kit to help me. There seem to be a lot of different ones around. Has anyone got any recommendations please?
Also I am going on an all inclusive holiday for two weeks in two weeks time! The timing of finding out I'm diabetic couldn't be worse! Has anyone any useful advice how to cope with eating from a buffet and what drinks to avoid? I do like alcohol!
Any help will be much appreciated.
 
That is bad timing! Still, all is not lost. Regarding alcohol - I would avoid really sweet drinks like Cider and if possible stick to wine and spirits with slimline tonics etc.
As for the buffet, try to load up with lots of lovely meat, fish and salads. You could try deciding on an amount of carbs per meal you would like to stick to and trying to work with that. For example, say you chose 50g carbs - you could load up on the fish and salads for main, and splurge all your 50g on a lovely pudding.
One tip I have used over time is thinking about the food in terms of whether it is worth it or not in carb terms. For example - a plate of biscuits at work - I can look at them and think I have tasted every single one of these in my time - they are ok, but nothing special. However, if someone has brought something homemade in - then I will want to try it - for me, it is worth the carbs.
Similarly, at a buffet I would chose the things that look special and avoid the more mundane. Thus, I know what rice, boiled potatoes, pasta etc tastes like, so I would ignore these in favour of something more exciting!
Also, the holiday is only for two weeks - please enjoy it! It will not make a difference in the long run.
The meter we recommend is the Codefree as it has the cheapest blood testing strips - someone will send you a link I am sure.
 
I have never had any problem with breakfast and dinner though lunch can sometimes mean nicking the filling out of sandwiches.
As you are only just diabetic you could be a bit more lenient that I am - but I always maintain I get the best bits eating low carb, I can go for the bacon and egg breakfast with the mushrooms and tomatoes and anything else low carb, plus more eggs, and I get the meat and veges and salad at dinner - and the coffee with cream, can usually manage a dessert of fruit and cream - and dry wines, spirits with soda water or diet mixer - it really is no use trying to feel hard done by of that sort of regime.
 
I've been on one all-inclusive holiday since diagnosis & found it to be reasonably good. At least you can pick & choose what to put on your plate, but you can also see what you shouldn't put on your plate & those things can look really tempting.🙂 If you can get plenty of exercise on holiday that will help & if it's a lovely & warm climate, that can also help with BG levels. As others have said, alcohol wise, stick with dry wines & spirits with diet mixers, though the odd small beer will be ok. Remember, you are on holiday & you want to enjoy yourself.🙂
 
There’s lots more walks and activities on holidays to counter any excesses so I find it can work well. Just don’t sit around the A/I Hotel all day sampling the drinks and the snacks and all will be well! 😛
As said, spirits with sugar free mixers shouldn’t affect your bg’s too much. Just don’t get stuck into the sweet cocktails.
I do this without meds and find my levels are lower on holiday (and I don’t scrimp on pleasures within reason).
 
I've seen the SD Code free meter recommended. The thing is the strips. £8 for 50, instead of £15 or £20 with other meters.
The first few weeks at least you're just figuring things out anyway. So just enjoy the holiday. Only thing is, would it be your normal diet?
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top