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Diabetic choices

E

EMcKT

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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She/Her
Following on from a previous posting regarding diabetic choices on menu and catering for us as well as other conditions... Looking at a local eaterie in Milngavie for lunch one day next week. Well, where do I start???? Just about EVERYTHING on the menu has something that does not suit me. I'm keeping as low carb as I can 60/80 per day and I accept that I will have bad days sometimes of my choice sometimes not,but when the Government shout about obesity........what does one do???? I hate leaving dirty plates, was not brought up that way ,don't like making a 'scene' when I order, embarrass my eating companions, object strongly to have to explain WHY I don't want chips etc, or pay for a plateful of food but don't want half of it.. Following day will be a funeral tea...,.. should I say beige buffet????? Three days away so I do want to try go keep control but thankfully my sister will have lots that suit me.....,..that's the gin.,.
Sorry for the rant but.... Low carb curry for tea with cauliflower rice....using leftovers as I clear the fridge!!!!!
 
EMcKT said:
Following on from a previous posting regarding diabetic choices on menu and catering for us as well as other conditions... Looking at a local eaterie in Milngavie for lunch one day next week. Well, where do I start???? Just about EVERYTHING on the menu has something that does not suit me. I'm keeping as low carb as I can 60/80 per day and I accept that I will have bad days sometimes of my choice sometimes not,but when the Government shout about obesity........what does one do???? I hate leaving dirty plates, was not brought up that way ,don't like making a 'scene' when I order, embarrass my eating companions, object strongly to have to explain WHY I don't want chips etc, or pay for a plateful of food but don't want half of it.. Following day will be a funeral tea...,.. should I say beige buffet????? Three days away so I do want to try go keep control but thankfully my sister will have lots that suit me.....,..that's the gin.,.
Sorry for the rant but.... Low carb curry for tea with cauliflower rice....using leftovers as I clear the fridge!!!!!
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If I'm ordering then I say NO chips or order a starter with a side salad. Caesar salad or Hunters chicken, burger no bun or just eat half the bun.
Which place is it you are eating?
 
I hate leaving dirty plates, was not brought up that way ,don't like making a 'scene' when I order, embarrass my eating companions, object strongly to have to explain WHY I don't want chips etc, or pay for a plateful of food but don't want half of it..

Stating preferences when ordering food or drink isn’t making a scene. We all do it: “White coffee with one sugar”, etc. No explanation of why is needed. I can understand not wanting to pay for food and leave it, but you can either choose options that reduce the need to do that, eg options without too many carbs, or two starters instead of a Main or whatever, or you can simply repeat the phrase they recommend to people who feel they need to ‘tidy up’ food their children leave, namely “I am not a dustbin”. I’ve said that to myself before and it’s surprisingly effective. We owe it to ourselves to eat well, choose well and stay well.
 
You don't have to explain why you don't want chips, just that you don't want them and ask for a salad instead. If they don't do salad then perhaps choose somewhere that does do salad. I got scampi with salad and coleslaw from the chippy the other day which fit reasonably well into my low carb approach. The menu says scampi, chips and salad but I just asked for no chips and it was no problem at all, even though they were busy.

The thing is that carbs are cheap so most eateries make their profits from filling plates up with carbs and most people are unfortunately happy with a plate of mostly carbs even though it isn't necessarily good for them.
 
I understand frustrations when we have dietary limitations for whatever reason. Thankfully, most cafes and restaurants are flexible because they want you (and your carb eating companions) to come back. We just have to train ourselves to realise that asking for what we want is not making a fuss. Unless, of course, the flexibility is “over the top”. In which case, they won’t want us back.

However, when we want flexibility, I find it ironic that another frequent request on the forum is for eateries to publish carb counts.
 
EMcKT said:
Looking at a local eaterie in Milngavie for lunch one day next week. Well, where do I start???? Just about EVERYTHING on the menu has something that does not suit me. I'm keeping as low carb as I can 60/80 per day
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It’s one lunch. Even if you’re keeping strictly to 80g carb per day (why?) there will be a lunch option for under 80g carb
 
If i choose to eat out I'm less careful. I don't now buy bread but it is my fall back if I go out. I agree in cafes if you are not eating pastry cakes or potatoes or bread it's limiting. I'm sitting in my local cafe eating a piece of ginger cake! I had a huge salad and crab for lunch today. Crab yesterday and tomorrow I'm having sea trout Swiss chard and samphire. After eating only 2 beetroot last weekend I'm enjoying having my hunger unlocked. I've eaten everything I can think of with a bit of iron.
A chain which is good is Pho. The problem with buffets is they are stacked with sugar salt and carbs. If they could have good protein and salads it would be great. Could you have some fish and a small salad before you go then just have a starter? I've seen it suggested with the use of weight loss drugs restaurants are offering smaller plates.
I'm so impressed with your carb limit. I'd like to do that but am on a SGLT2
Maybe with keto being popular they will start putting carbs on the menu.

On Monday having been unwell and not eaten over the weekend except for a small beetroot with the iron pills I ate at M and S. I wasn't hungry enough for my original choice of a local steak place where I would have had steak and veg and too tired to walk to opposite side of town. I had their hey pesto again. This time I realised it came on focaccia. 2 poached eggs asparagus pesto and a slice of grilled halloumi. I couldn't manage the bread. Asparagus season is over. I think it would work well with tenderstem broccoli.
 
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Thank you for all the replies.......it's interesting to see how different people adapt and I think useful for someone new to this scenario to read and understand. We are driving to Scotland early Wednesday morning, so will stop at Tebay for a break and something to eat usually scrambled egg for me. On to Milngavie to my sister. It's DHs birthday so instead of eating out in evening we thought the Tickled Trout another chain for latish lunch hence the menu consult. Premier Inn in evening, husband will buy Scottish fish and chips from the chippy for his tea me?????? Beige buffet on Thursday for brothers funeral Friday.........see what happens and home Saturday to empty fridges!!!!! Whether I like it or not, it's food orientated!!!!!!
 
EMcKT said:
Thank you for all the replies.......it's interesting to see how different people adapt and I think useful for someone new to this scenario to read and understand. We are driving to Scotland early Wednesday morning, so will stop at Tebay for a break and something to eat usually scrambled egg for me. On to Milngavie to my sister. It's DHs birthday so instead of eating out in evening we thought the Tickled Trout another chain for latish lunch hence the menu consult. Premier Inn in evening, husband will buy Scottish fish and chips from the chippy for his tea me?????? Beige buffet on Thursday for brothers funeral Friday.........see what happens and home Saturday to empty fridges!!!!! Whether I like it or not, it's food orientated!!!!!!
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Most of the starters look OK and the chicken, bacon, avo salad or the bacon chop just as for No chips and some veg instead.
From the chippy, you could have the fish and coleslaw or salad if they do it.
 
EMcKT said:
Premier Inn in evening, husband will buy Scottish fish and chips from the chippy for his tea me??????
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In premier inns, their double stack burger with coleslaw and fries is nice, and they’ll swap the bun for a side salad. There’s quite a varied menu.
 
I've not heard of tickled trout. If you are trying to stay low carb protein plus veg or salad. Ask for chips or potatoes to be replaced by extra veg. They have two choices yes or no. Or leave most of potatoes. Look into ordering two starters they usually have less carbs. I was brought up to eat everything or no pudding and there were references to starving people. You and your husband have enjoyed a memorable wedding anniversary. Do what you want. You know best. When I had my second eye op I stayed in a hotel for a few days partly to be near the hospital. The first day I went into a Michelin starred restaurant for their taster lunch. Not prebooked and all the better for it. It's owned by Richard Bainbridge who is famous for a trifle if this had been pre type 2 you wouldn't have kept me off it. Server seemed unhappy I didn't want pudding at which point I mentioned type 2. I got a cheese course at no extra cost!

Make sure you stay hydrated and eat mindfully. Fry ups are fine. I had a roast lunch when newly diagnosed. I avoided Yorkshire pudding, had 2 small roasties and loads of veg. I stayed in Premier inn twice cos of eye ops. I didn't know if I would want to go out so paid extra for a room with a fridge. It was a mighty small fridge. I bought berries yoghurt and some finely sliced smoked salmon so I had options. Tebay is brilliant. If a Scottish breakfast were available I'd have a kipper plus possibly a poached egg.

Remember there will be stresses and strains, tiredness from travelling and the stress of a funeral. Always an emotional overload but the gathering afterwards is often a joy with happy and new memories.

We will all be wishing you well.
 
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I generally try to choose low carb. I will ask for extra veg or salad. I have ordered pies on occasions and left the pastry. \I went to a buffet once and there were only sandwiches. I chose the brown bread and just ate a couple then took the fillings out of the others on my plate and left the bread. I sometimes find there is nothing for me that is low carb so I go elsewhere but it is extremely rare.
 
Maz2 said:
I generally try to choose low carb. I will ask for extra veg or salad. I have ordered pies on occasions and left the pastry. \I went to a buffet once and there were only sandwiches. I chose the brown bread and just ate a couple then took the fillings out of the others on my plate and left the bread. I sometimes find there is nothing for me that is low carb so I go elsewhere but it is extremely rare.
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I usually eat the middle part of the sandwich and leave the crusts, my hair is curly enough anyway. if it is a baguette I just eat the bottom half with the filling. Buffets, I raid the garnish from the plates.
 
I have rarely liked the batter that comes on chippy fish but I love the fish that is steamed within.
So I leave the batter and don’t feel as if I am throwing anything away beyond the “cooking parcel” - it may as well be foil or paper.
This has nothing to do with being diabetic. It’s just a preference that hurts no one.
 
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