Eating out with T2 diabetes

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Katherine129

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Hi everyone

My hubby was diagnosed with post transplant T2 diabetes in July and has been wearing a CGM to monitor what foods cause him to spike and stay high and what is generally ok.

He has been doing brilliantly and in just 3 months has got his HbA1C down from 80mmol to 47mmol.

He has been invited to a work meal whereby he has no choice in the restaurant. He has looked at the menu and is worried that all the options (that he likes anyway) are all really high carbs. He is on the verge of declining.

Anyway, my question is, is it Ok to have 1 meal that sends you high if the rest of the time your control is good?

Thanks
 
Maybe start by informing the organizer that the choices are not suitable - otherwise there will be an ongoing problem, and asking that there be an option to remove or replace the highest carb foods.
I was faced with a similar conundrum in the early days and when faced with a huge spread of unsuitable foods just picked out what bits I could eat, having eaten a small amount before setting out.
The setting was more for socialising than eating, and I was glad that I went along, but if the restaurant or organiser can't cope, and it is mainly for the meal it is a difficult choice really, so soon after diagnosis.
 
Katherine129 said:
Hi everyone

My hubby was diagnosed with post transplant T2 diabetes in July and has been wearing a CGM to monitor what foods cause him to spike and stay high and what is generally ok.

He has been doing brilliantly and in just 3 months has got his HbA1C down from 80mmol to 47mmol.

He has been invited to a work meal whereby he has no choice in the restaurant. He has looked at the menu and is worried that all the options (that he likes anyway) are all really high carbs. He is on the verge of declining.

Anyway, my question is, is it Ok to have 1 meal that sends you high if the rest of the time your control is good?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Without presuming to offer actual dietary advice, I'd say that it's important to get a balance between being physically healthy and not restricting one's lifestyle so much that one becomes really miserable.

In your husband's position I'd probably tell the restaurant (giving them plenty of notice) that I need them to make me a lower-carb version of one of the meals - quoting the Equality Act, given that diabetes can count as a disability. I'd let the organiser know if the restaurant's unhelpful.
 
Hi @Katherine129
I’m sure if your husband were to ask the restaurant, maybe they have something available that might be lower carb than what’s shown on the general menu ?
they might, otherwise it’s just a case of saying something like

can I have that but without the chips or whatever
and substitute for a side salad etc… I’ve done that in the past myself

Great that your husband has done so well in bringing down his HbA1c
and getting on well with CGM
at least he will see the spike, what meds is your husband on ?
 
CliffH said:
Without presuming to offer actual dietary advice, I'd say that it's important to get a balance between being physically healthy and not restricting one's lifestyle so much that one becomes really miserable.

In your husband's position I'd probably tell the restaurant (giving them plenty of notice) that I need them to make me a lower-carb version of one of the meals - quoting the Equality Act, given that diabetes can count as a disability. I'd let the organiser know if the restaurant's unhelpful.
Click to expand...
It is hardly something the restaurant can address for someone who is not the one who made the booking and agreed the menu.
 
goodybags said:
Hi @Katherine129
I’m sure if your husband were to ask the restaurant, maybe they have something available that might be lower carb than what’s shown on the general menu ?
they might, otherwise it’s just a case of saying something like

can I have that but without the chips or whatever
and substitute for a side salad etc… I’ve done that in the past myself

Great that your husband has done so well in bringing down his HbA1c
and getting on well with CGM
at least he will see the spike, what meds is your husband on ?
Click to expand...
Metformin - 500mg twice a day (I think)
 
Katherine129 said:
Metformin - 500mg twice a day (I think)
Click to expand...
my advice is go out enjoy himself, it’s not going to be everyday,

he must be doing well to have got his HbA1c down anyway
and choose / ask for something slightly lower carb that whatever has initially shown as on the standard menu, at least if it does spike his levels as he’s got his CGM he will be aware and maybe a gentle walk might bring his levels back down ?

I have done it once before at a works do where there wasn’t a healthy option especially when it came to the desert
we were actually faced with a choice of two totally un-diabetic friendly deserts,
I remember I politely declined and asked if they had maybe some fresh fruit they told me they didn’t
which did surprise me as at the reception I had noticed there were various fresh fruits in a bowl
I disappeared and came back with some fruit much to the amazement of a few of my colleagues
 
Katherine129 said:
Anyway, my question is, is it Ok to have 1 meal that sends you high if the rest of the time your control is good?
Click to expand...
If we eat out I always see that as a day off from diabetes, although I do avoid desserts. My waking BG the next morning is always in its usual range.
 
Usually starters and main courses are not too much of a problem it is the puddings which are tricky.
All he can do is make the best choice and if they are pre -ordering then he can ask for salad instead of chips or potatoes, steer clear of pasta or rice.
Are you able to post what his choices may be.
 
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