Eating out cafes/restaurants/catering venues which cater to low sugar low carb healthy diet for persons with diabetes?

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maryjaneholland

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As result of moaning and whining to social walking group who organise community events under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, I have been tasked as volunteer to make suggestions for more inclusive venues to cater to wide range of dietary preferences, as the non-profit community interest company currently has no resources for fixed permanent venue, so it's all adhoc social meet-ups at pubs, cafes, and getting public transport to starting point for social walking group plus Zoom meetings, um, no surprise the government isn't throwing money at unfunded voluntary community groups supporting vilified vulnerable minority groups, no idea why, ha!

I know city centres have plethora of options and choices, like salad bars at posh deli shops, or salad bowls from "food to go" fresh food franchises, but the aim of the social groups is to be sociable, visiting hospitality/catering venue together and having shared meal as group without excluding people (you can eat like dog off the ground in the car park with your sad packed lunch ugh!), so the only other idea I had is contacting the venue in advance to make requests, or place advance orders for so many vegan/veggie/gluten-free/low carb/dairy free meals but with limited choice...

Bab's Cabs Greasy Spoon Cafe near country park entrance in rural area won't cater to many different dietary preferences either I know...

Can anyone suggest what happens when group of people living with diabetes go out to cafe or restaurant for meal to include everyone?

I'm thinking private catering order booked in advance delivered in packaging and refrigerated in advance may be best way forward, but then that means the venue would be more problematic as no venue owners want to agree to free for all of "bring your own food and drinks", but any suggestions or experiences gratefully accepted and appreciated at this point as obviously McDonald's is out.........!!
 
I belong to several bellringing groups and when we go for a ringing tour we usually prebook lunch with the pub. Most are willing to cater for various dietary requirements, I know we have people who are vegan, dairy free, gluten free, egg and gluten and dairy free, vegetarian, Type 2, Type1 or just plain awkward and people usually find something satisfactory.
It is a bit more hassle for the organiser but we usually have limited time for lunch so pre-ordering works well.
 
I choose a local cafe that does a variety of choices so everyone should be able to find something. It’s like a bit of a posh/trendy coffee shop with largely, but not exclusively, veggie and vegan foods and fantastic cakes for those who want them. Examples of foods are poached egg on smashed avocado on sourdough toast (ideal for moderate carbs), paneer curry with basmati rice and a green salad with mango and chilli, various vegan Buddha Bowls - hopefully you get the idea. People can go for coffee and cake, a hot meal, a more carby cold meal, or a very low carb salad or Bowl.
 
@Leadinglights @Inka thanks that's really helpful, I imagined booking in advance is always preferable with pub food, and yes local cafes with interesting diverse menu catering to different dietary preferences would work, I feel much more inspired to make contact with hospitality/catering venues now and will call round today and look up Tripadvisor!

Think I freaked out the main organisers and paid staff as they apologised profusely when I raised accessibility issue, but the most recent event was two/three hour walk up steep rocky hills followed by "lunch" at caravan park cafe, but no clear listing info for anyone to look up the menu or contact the venue, plus one hour walk from the nearest train station to the starting point, so unsure how many people turned up, but judging by social media posts it seemed very "pale white guys high fiving each other like they had ascended Everest fuelled by bit too much macho testosterone and primal sausage fest grunting" so yes that can happen in LGBTQIA+ circles too where the organisers themselves feel they have something to prove to everyone, ugh...

Another inclusive idea is enquiring with National Trust properties in the area about shuttle transport from say the property entrance to where the house/gardens/facilities/toilets/cafe are located which can be several miles putting people off, as often it's free to walk around the NT grounds and without NT membership, the individual adult tickets can easily be £20-30 per person, so trying my best to be the change I want to see in the world, researching and making serious suggestions based on facts is preferable in social community groups to complaining and going off in temper tantrum like "No they aren't coming out to play today, they have screamed until they are sick, what a mess!" 😉
 
maryjaneholland said:
@Leadinglights @Inka thanks that's really helpful, I imagined booking in advance is always preferable with pub food, and yes local cafes with interesting diverse menu catering to different dietary preferences would work, I feel much more inspired to make contact with hospitality/catering venues now and will call round today and look up Tripadvisor!

Think I freaked out the main organisers and paid staff as they apologised profusely when I raised accessibility issue, but the most recent event was two/three hour walk up steep rocky hills followed by "lunch" at caravan park cafe, but no clear listing info for anyone to look up the menu or contact the venue, plus one hour walk from the nearest train station to the starting point, so unsure how many people turned up, but judging by social media posts it seemed very "pale white guys high fiving each other like they had ascended Everest fuelled by bit too much macho testosterone and primal sausage fest grunting" so yes that can happen in LGBTQIA+ circles too where the organisers themselves feel they have something to prove to everyone, ugh...

Another inclusive idea is enquiring with National Trust properties in the area about shuttle transport from say the property entrance to where the house/gardens/facilities/toilets/cafe are located which can be several miles putting people off, as often it's free to walk around the NT grounds and without NT membership, the individual adult tickets can easily be £20-30 per person, so trying my best to be the change I want to see in the world, researching and making serious suggestions based on facts is preferable in social community groups to complaining and going off in temper tantrum like "No they aren't coming out to play today, they have screamed until they are sick, what a mess!" 😉
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Some of the RSPB nature reserves are quite good for accessibility as they often cater for wheelchairs and buggies, not all have cafes though.
 
Yes that would work too will look it up Google Maps, maybe the ideal solution is hiring minibus which leaves from central point, packed lunch or snacks, and then trip to this inclusive cafe either part of or close to the social walking group activity, I have lots of calls to make, and in fairness to the CIC they do have dedicated activities for members with zero mobility, wheelchair users, learning disabilities and mental health issues, like paralympics type sports, so it's worthy cause to contribute to! 😉
 
I think more and more places are having to become aware of significantly varied ways of eating (and/or allergies / intolerances) and to try to accommodate them. I suspect smaller venues and little independents may be more flexible and accommodating, though that’s just a hunch really, not based on anything other than trying to ask for ‘things without things’ in various places, and the feeling that bigger chains seem more likely to get their meals delivered more or less made up to specifications, rather than started from ingredients in the kitchen?

Good luck with your search @maryjaneholland - hope you find some options / venues that can tweak their menu to meet your group’s needs.
 
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Fortunately, my local area is very spoilt for choice with falafel takeaways, vegan cafes, veggie restaurants, and franchises which can make food to order for many dietary preferences, but it's the rural suburbs and places near national parks and National Trust properties (including very expensive NT cafes!) which are very difficult to navigate, I can see those gigantic refrigerated coolboxes, thermos flasks, picnic blankets and tarpaulin covers for bad weather season, ie, most of the year in the UK, being utilised in the hypothetical "gay minibus" walking group adventures, ooh la la! 😉
 
Sadly due to society's obsession with Calories rather than the three main food groups and Carbs in particular it is often difficult to find out Carb content for insulin injections. McDonalds used to print Carb content on each food item. This disappeared a few years ago and when I queried it with head office they said they were having to follow EU regulations which required the provision of Calorie content. No science behind it of course just serious Group Think about Calories. I now have to ask for a copy of McDonalds ingredients sheet to know how much insulin to inject.
 
Admittedly, I've been living a reduced carb lifestyle for several years now, and a bit less time in the gluten free camp. I must say, I usually find something to eat, without pre-booking or asking for modifications.

A great many places these days do an all-day breakfast, which I can usually work with. Trust me, there's always someone in a group happy to rehome a hash brown or a cheap, suspect (in terms of gluten) sausage.

Of course an all day brekkers won't suit everyone, but nor will anything else really, so I make the best of it.

If the eatery is totally unknown, I'll ensure I have something in my bag that'd keep the wolf from the door, if all else fails. I'm thinking a pack of nuts or a pepperami style long life sealed pack thing.

I appreciate it is really tricky when starting out with all of this, but one way and another, most places can work. Worst options, in my view are Starbucks/Costa where there's not much around, but in there, I'd elect for a decent latte, where I'd feel relatively full and certainly packed some calories.

To me, these things are most often about the even themselves, rather than the catering.
 
The lack of dinner on a couple of occasions prompted me to buy a camper van, so I can go off to events and cook eggsbaconmushroomsausage in a morning and then something good for dinner. I could bring any number of dogs and/or husbands home with me with the promise of more leftovers.
Seven years of low carb eating has rather brought home the lack of availability of suitable options, and made me appreciate good quality coffee more than ever.
 
@everydayupsanddowns thanks again, I will report back on the next inclusive queer walking group and social events, no more macho posturing on mountain peaks like Victorian explorers in the New World nope ha!

@DaveB reminds me of McDonald's salads from previous years, which turned out to contain more fat and calories than huge cheese burger with extra fillings ha!

I know calories and food are important to keep you going if you are in remote places with limited choices, but I would choose packed lunch over fast food fried food franchises, and I think the CIC community group aims for their events are encouraging socialising and healthy living and exercise, so we would fail as group if we allowed the walking group to indulge in junk foods!

@AndBreathe yes I agree the food and catering options are not the focus (it's not gay wedding where the couple are social climbers desperate to impress with Japanese cuisine etc!) but we have to consider the most vulnerable members and ensuring there are basic facilities, so I think RHS, English Heritage, National Trust, RSPB and National Parks with Visitor Centres would be good options where there's guarantee of toilets, cafe, seating, car park, public transport links, ideally drinking water dispensers and guided tours if members can afford tickets as nothing is free for daytrips!

@Drummer yes vanlife (#vanlife) and the great outdoors and going offgrid for while, yes that sounds great if it means you're more independent and better able to manage your diabetes on your own terms, I currently don't have driving licence but can assist with funding applications for minibus hire (no idea how much it would cost to buy and maintain minibus on the road safely, probs far more than all resources the CIC community group currently has!), and husband gathering would be an added bonus for single members who are looking to partner up, will add bungee cords to the list just in case ha! Yes there's still no understanding of carbs in our diets in the mainstream hospitality/catering world, pre-diagnosis I visited vegetarian B&B in Cumbria and they had amazing breakfasts, so much home-cooked fresh food you didn't need lunch, but in hindsight it was high carb fest of toast, porridge, muesli, hash browns, baked beans, plus fresh fruit juice and smoothies in one go causing huge blood glucose spikes, oh well, I walked many miles every day but with my wonky broken organs and weight gain, I would never be able to exercise my way into remission without medication, coached exercise classes and weight loss programmes and I just have to accept that and live with it!

I have watched so many documentaries about narrow boats, house boats, camper van living, offgrid survival living, people setting up shipping container homes in very rural remote places with only solar panels and generators for staying alive basics, but for now I cannot survive without GP, medication, pharmacies, postal service and fixed address, so those things are holidays or hobbies for now... Ooh yes "Narrow Escapes" Channel 4 catch-up is very relaxing chilled out and life-affirming on that note... 😉

 
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@maryjaneholland that's a thought - a narrow boat - I went on a number of holidays on the canals when I lived up in the midlands and there was no shortage of people willing to join in and work locks, go to the shops and the pub in the evenings - though that was quite some time ago now and the situation might have changed.
You don't need a licence to drive a narrowboat as far as I know, and with no weight restriction having luxurious beds, fully equipped kitchens and adequate bathroom and loo aboard was not a problem, even in the half length ones.
 
maryjaneholland said:
@everydayupsanddowns thanks again, I will report back on the next inclusive queer walking group and social events, no more macho posturing on mountain peaks like Victorian explorers in the New World nope ha!

@DaveB reminds me of McDonald's salads from previous years, which turned out to contain more fat and calories than huge cheese burger with extra fillings ha!

I know calories and food are important to keep you going if you are in remote places with limited choices, but I would choose packed lunch over fast food fried food franchises, and I think the CIC community group aims for their events are encouraging socialising and healthy living and exercise, so we would fail as group if we allowed the walking group to indulge in junk foods!

@AndBreathe yes I agree the food and catering options are not the focus (it's not gay wedding where the couple are social climbers desperate to impress with Japanese cuisine etc!) but we have to consider the most vulnerable members and ensuring there are basic facilities, so I think RHS, English Heritage, National Trust, RSPB and National Parks with Visitor Centres would be good options where there's guarantee of toilets, cafe, seating, car park, public transport links, ideally drinking water dispensers and guided tours if members can afford tickets as nothing is free for daytrips!

@Drummer yes vanlife (#vanlife) and the great outdoors and going offgrid for while, yes that sounds great if it means you're more independent and better able to manage your diabetes on your own terms, I currently don't have driving licence but can assist with funding applications for minibus hire (no idea how much it would cost to buy and maintain minibus on the road safely, probs far more than all resources the CIC community group currently has!), and husband gathering would be an added bonus for single members who are looking to partner up, will add bungee cords to the list just in case ha! Yes there's still no understanding of carbs in our diets in the mainstream hospitality/catering world, pre-diagnosis I visited vegetarian B&B in Cumbria and they had amazing breakfasts, so much home-cooked fresh food you didn't need lunch, but in hindsight it was high carb fest of toast, porridge, muesli, hash browns, baked beans, plus fresh fruit juice and smoothies in one go causing huge blood glucose spikes, oh well, I walked many miles every day but with my wonky broken organs and weight gain, I would never be able to exercise my way into remission without medication, coached exercise classes and weight loss programmes and I just have to accept that and live with it!

I have watched so many documentaries about narrow boats, house boats, camper van living, offgrid survival living, people setting up shipping container homes in very rural remote places with only solar panels and generators for staying alive basics, but for now I cannot survive without GP, medication, pharmacies, postal service and fixed address, so those things are holidays or hobbies for now... Ooh yes "Narrow Escapes" Channel 4 catch-up is very relaxing chilled out and life-affirming on that note... 😉

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Whilst the RHS, National Trust etc may (or may not have more options for you, I would wager their eateries aren't necessarily for those on a budget.

Many of these places are based on tea/coffee and ginagerous slices of cake.
 
@Drummer thanks for your tips, really think chilled-out boating holiday would do me some good, the Midlands boat people sound very friendly, and I was amazed on "Narrow Escapes" how supportive the boating community and Canal & River Trust volunteers were all helping each other out, instead of the usual argy-bargy "me first" city slicker attitude I still struggle with on daily basis!
It's really heartwarming to see one of the "Stars" of the "Narrow Escapes" show The Waltzing Matilda Pizzeria Narrow Boat returning to the Macclesfield Canal for the Summer, and this is maybe hour's journey on the train, so maybe this could be daytrip for the shortlist, alongside the Middlewood Way and Lyme Park (edge of Peak District National Park), hoping pizza slice when I'm exercising will be allowed on my new diet too!
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Well-loved canal side narrowboat café announces return date after TV show

The father-and-son duo behind the successful narrowboat café said they have been 'overwhelmed' with the 'amazing response' since appearing on TV
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Middlewood Way

The Middlewood Way, Macclesfield, Bollington. General information, address, opening times, activities and facilities
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Lyme | Cheshire

Visitor information for Lyme Park in Cheshire, a magnificent house and estate on the edge of the Peak District.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk

@AndBreathe yes that is spot-on correct, all of the traditional "country house & gardens" are serving high carb fest of very expensive afternoon teas and blood glucose spiking high sugar "treats" from yesteryear, so good alternative for spoilt city dwellers, we have the National Trust Castlefield Viaduct in the heart of Manchester city centre, so that ticks boxes for walking, exercise, free entry, guided tours, accessible toilets, and nearby Roman ruins, Rochdale Canal, Castlefield Basin, and free entry to the Museum of Science & Industry (more walking and exercise over huge exhibition sites!), with huge range of pubs/cafes/restaurants/food to go catering venues for variety of dietary preferences all around Deansgate and Castlefield areas - there's even free city centre shuttle bus taking people from main train stations to these attractions, and Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream is being staged on the Viaduct Gardens in June, so really hoping the community group will pick this budget-friendly suggestion!
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Castlefield Viaduct | Manchester

A historic Grade II listed viaduct turned urban park in the heart of Manchester.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Home | Science and Industry Museum

We tell stories about ideas that change the world, from the Industrial Revolution to today and beyond.
www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

Other suggestions were RSPB Dovestone Reservoir & Nature Reserve Oldham, which means catering options are supermarkets, packed lunches and train station eateries, but very unspoilt countryside views and wildlife with walking trails, free entry, accessible toilets, direct train route with cheap day return tickets...

Dove Stone Nature Reserve, Greater Manchester - The RSPB

A dramatic landscape surrounded by hills. Enjoy a stunning 2.5 mile walk round Dove Stone reservoir with picnic area and woodland paths on the way
www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk

Tatton Park Knutsford - Train station close to lots of local pubs/cafes/restaurants in town centre, short walk to Tatton Hall, Japanese Gardens, Farm, Deer Park, Flower Shows, Exhibitions, with accessible toilets, cafes, shops on the Grounds, mobility scooter and segway hire sessions, so it's possible to cater to various dietary preferences, picnics with packed lunches are allowed too! https://www.tattonpark.org.uk/home.aspx

Dunham Massey Altrincham - Transport Interchange close to huge variety of pubs/cafes/restaurants/food shops in town centre, short walk to National Trust Grounds, Deer Park, House, Gardens, Mill, Guided Tours, Plant Shop, Accessible Toilets, Mobility Scooter Hire! https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/dunham-massey

Just say "NO" to the calorific Cream Teas! But it's same story with supermarkets too, like what obesity crisis, sorry diabetes epidemic what now, beg pardon heart disease, come again, we're not listening, nope?! 🙄
 
Tramper! No, not term of abuse, really positive to see many outdoor activity venues offer off-road all terrain mobility scooter hire, we just need 9 seater SUV or XL minibus hire now, some places have VW Campervans for £250 per day which again is outside of community group budget ha! 😉
www.tramper.co.uk

Off Road Scooter - Tramper Beamer Ltd

Beamer Ltd Producers of Tramper is the Best Mobility Scooter available, designed & built in the UK When you decide on which mobility scooter you need, you probably ask yourself these questions. Will it go where I want it to go? Tramper was designed to do just that, and it does it better than any […]
www.tramper.co.uk www.tramper.co.uk

Buxton Daytrip to Poole's Cavern Country Park, Go Ape and Historical listed buildings such as the Crescent, Pavilion Gardens & Tea Rooms, Opera House, and the abundance of public/cafes/restaurants, seem like good option too, just need to do some fundraising as can't expect members to pay for all full price tickets, times is 'ard, times is tough!

Home - Pooles Cavern & Buxton Country Park

poolescavern.co.uk poolescavern.co.uk

paviliongardens.co.uk

Pavilion Gardens, Buxton - the heart of the Peak District

The perfect setting for fun and relaxing family days out, with great food and drink, shopping and over 100 events and festivals throughout the year.
paviliongardens.co.uk paviliongardens.co.uk

buxtoncrescentexperience.com

Visitor Centre » Buxton Crescent Heritage Experience

Buxton Visitor Centre is a source of inspiration and information for your visit to the town and area.
buxtoncrescentexperience.com buxtoncrescentexperience.com

Hope this encourages others to go on daytrips and get out into the countryside as accessibility is improving slowly, and you can always contact venues in advance to make reasonable adjustment requests too! 🙂
 
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