Having a treat

[Newbie777]

I am looking at reducing my carb intake, I want to go down to 100g/120g per day (for 1st week) and then look at reducing this further. This is a major change for me...it was not long ago I used to eat 6 pieces of French toast for breakfast!

However, if I do keep this up for 1 week, I was thinking of treating myself to a Magnum Classic Ice Cream (if the kids don't get there before me!).

Do you have a treat and if so how often?

 

[Loobyloo]

At around 20g carbs i would give Magnum a miss. I used to eat a mini milk for a treat around 5g in the summer if i felt like an ice cream treat. But now its usually sugar free jelly and cream which is very low carb . I do have the occasional eclair from a 6 pack of frozen eclairs at 7g. I try not to go over 10g on a treat.

 

[Vonny]

I just went cold turkey with the carbs and it was around 6 months before I allowed myself any form of treat, but that's due my bloody-mindedness and more sensible and balanced people can probably cope with occasional treats!

9 months down the line, with good hba1c levels and 4 stone down, I now treat myself to a flat white from Costa which has 12.6 carbs and 181 kcals once a week. If you feel you can cope with 20g of carb at one sitting then go for it, or maybe look at something less carby like an eclair as @Loobyloo suggests and save the magnum for the summer?

Enjoy your treat whatever it is 🙂

 

[Drummer]

I make icecream from a custard of cream and eggs - the real stuff rather than the concoction of chemicals sold these days.

 

[grovesy]

I just went cold turkey with the carbs and it was around 6 months before I allowed myself any form of treat, but that's due my bloody-mindedness and more sensible and balanced people can probably cope with occasional treats!

9 months down the line, with good hba1c levels and 4 stone down, I now treat myself to a flat white from Costa which has 12.6 carbs and 181 kcals once a week. If you feel you can cope with 20g of carb at one sitting then go for it, or maybe look at something less carby like an eclair as @Loobyloo suggests and save the magnum for the summer?

Enjoy your treat whatever it is 🙂

That seem a lot for a flat white coffee the Carbs and Cals app does not even say that many for a large Cappuccino.

 

[Vonny]

That seem a lot for a flat white coffee the Carbs and Cals app does not even say that many for a large Cappuccino.

It's what Mr Google tells me, so it's probably wrong!

 

[Kaylz]

That seem a lot for a flat white coffee the Carbs and Cals app does not even say that many for a large Cappuccino.

Costa's website gives it as 14.1g for a small take out made with whole milk xx

 

[Vonny]

Costa's website gives it as 14.1g for a small take out made with whole milk xx

Eek!

 

[Kaylz]

I'm in a different situation maybe being Type 1 and having the benefit of insulin but I treat myself everyday, whether it be a cake bar, mini roll, digestive slice etc after my lunch but I missed out for a couple of years due to an eating disorder so making up for it now lol xx

 

[Newbie777]

My goodness you are good.

My issue is to do with mind over matter and this is a big (and urgent) lifestyle change, if I make too hard I will give up and I just can't do to that.

I guess for me it something to look forward to, believe it or not, I miss French bread and some proper butter over any sweet!

I just went cold turkey with the carbs and it was around 6 months before I allowed myself any form of treat, but that's due my bloody-mindedness and more sensible and balanced people can probably cope with occasional treats!

9 months down the line, with good hba1c levels and 4 stone down, I now treat myself to a flat white from Costa which has 12.6 carbs and 181 kcals once a week. If you feel you can cope with 20g of carb at one sitting then go for it, or maybe look at something less carby like an eclair as @Loobyloo suggests and save the magnum for the summer?

Enjoy your treat whatever it is 🙂

Congratulations and we'll done !

I wish I had the strength and willpower like yourself and the other good people here.

Like many people I really enjoy food, especially carbs which have been my go to for stress release as well as enjoyment.

I am not really sweet toothed or much of a coffee person though, as mentioned before more of some nice bread and butter ( love cooked potatoes too).

Anything I do now will be a marked improvement from where I was a few weeks ago, in hospital going through a Vitrectomy (very very painful).

I know it will be hard but am going to give it a go and not give up.

Regarding the treat that is physiological for me and important that I feel happy about doing this, I think the bad news is the Magnum will be gon, but I guess the sugar free jelly is there to take.

Thank you for sharing your advice

 

[Vonny]

I wish I had the strength and willpower like yourself and the other good people here.

Regarding the treat that is physiological for me and important that I feel happy about doing this, I think the bad news is the Magnum will be gon, but I guess the sugar free jelly is there to take.

Everyone does it differently and finds their own way. And it's important that it's sustainable so if you need the treat, that will be your way of coping with it. You are very kind calling it my strength and willpower, most people just tell me I have a terrier mentality and to let go! 😉

 

[Newbie777]

I'm in a different situation maybe being Type 1 and having the benefit of insulin but I treat myself everyday, whether it be a cake bar, mini roll, digestive slice etc after my lunch but I missed out for a couple of years due to an eating disorder so making up for it now lol xx

Oh I see, well good for you, it that works why not.

I cannot complain I have had it good over the years, but now it's different and no option.

Personally, think being happy and content, is as good as being healthy as can be.

 

[Kaylz]

Oh I see, well good for you, it that works why not.

I cannot complain I have had it good over the years, but now it's different and no option.

Personally, think being happy and content, is as good as being healthy as can be.

Diabetes has dealt me c**p as soon as a month after diagnosis so can't say I've had it good lol but still ploughing on for now, if your looking for a chocolate hit if you have an Aldi's near they do a lovely 85% chocolate, Moser Roth, a pack of 5 individually wrapped bars at under 5g carbs per bar xx

 

[Newbie777]

Everyone does it differently and finds their own way. And it's important that it's sustainable so if you need the treat, that will be your way of coping with it. You are very kind calling it my strength and willpower, most people just tell me I have a terrier mentality and to let go! 😉

I give credit where it is due my friend.

Life is too short and helping others in need is so nice and should feel rewarding too.

So keep up the good work

 

[rebrascora]

For me, it really helped to find low carb treats that I could have regularly rather than the old carb rich favourites. I was a sugar addict pre diagnosis as well as eating and enjoying way too much bread and potatoes and used sugar particularly, to cope with stress and mental health problems. I had to go cold turkey otherwise I would just have slid back to my old ways, similar to a recovering alcoholic, if they have a drink. It still blows my mind that I don't crave that stuff anymore... particularly the bread and potatoes. Learning to eat without them was difficult at first because they had been a staple part of my diet all my life but it gets much easier as you find new low carb things to enjoy.

 

[Loobyloo]

I wish i had the strength and willpower like yourself and the other good people here.

Like many people I really enjoy food, especially carbs which have been my go to for stress release as well as enjoyment.

I am not really sweet toothed or much of a coffee person though, as mentioned before more of some nice bread and butter ( love cooked potatoes too).

I can relate to all that you are saying about loving carbs. When i found out i was Diabetic i was horrified i would have to give all my favourite things up to get things under control. But i read what others had achieved with being sensible with carbs and decided i must give it my best go. Reading all the problems that badly controlled Diabetes can cause i was frightened into it really.
Well i have managed to get back under control and now reducing meds. I have lost loads of weight and exercising more than before without being out of breathe. The way i feel is much more satisfying than eating bread, chips or cake and i honestly don't crave carbs that much any more.
I do use a monitor and check before and after meals to make sure i avoid anything that can spike my sugars. I wouldn't want to eat a magnum as a treat cos would feel gutted when i saw the monitor after. Perhaps i am being rather strict with myself but had to be done. Perhaps if you don't have a monitor it's worth a go because seeing your sugars drop may encourage you to eat less carby meals and treats and getting a good reading will be reward enough.
I wish you best of luck and you may find you have more willpower than you realised.

 

[Newbie777]

Diabetes has dealt me c**p as soon as a month after diagnosis so can't say I've had it good lol but still ploughing on for now, if your looking for a chocolate hit if you have an Aldi's near they do a lovely 85% chocolate, Moser Roth, a pack of 5 individually wrapped bars at under 5g carbs per bar xx

Sorry to hear that,

Hope things work out for now and in the future.

Yes, I like the idea of dark chocolate, especially the Lindt stuff, but will try the one you recommend as I am sure it will be really nice. Thank you.

On another happy note, I had my tuna with cottage cheese salad for my tea at 6.00pm.However, my son had ordered an Indian takeway and I just had 3 lamb chops, so that was a treat and I do not feel guilty about it.

 

[Newbie777]

I can relate to all that you are saying about loving carbs. When i found out i was Diabetic i was horrified i would have to give all my favourite things up to get things under control. But i read what others had achieved with being sensible with carbs and decided i must give it my best go. Reading all the problems that badly controlled Diabetes can cause i was frightened into it really.
Well i have managed to get back under control and now reducing meds. I have lost loads of weight and exercising more than before without being out of breathe. The way i feel is much more satisfying than eating bread, chips or cake and i honestly don't crave carbs that much any more.
I do use a monitor and check before and after meals to make sure i avoid anything that can spike my sugars. I wouldn't want to eat a magnum as a treat cos would feel gutted when i saw the monitor after. Perhaps i am being rather strict with myself but had to be done. Perhaps if you don't have a monitor it's worth a go because seeing your sugars drop may encourage you to eat less carby meals and treats and getting a good reading will be reward enough.
I wish you best of luck and you may find you have more willpower than you realised., very well done

Congratulations very well done and thank you for your kind words, help and support.

I don't smoke, I don't drink, I have not had a sick day off work for over 28 days etc and yes I have good days and very hard, like most people, but food was my main enjoyment, so it is very hard to let go.

For me it's a simple choice make the changes now or be prepared to lose my eyesight!!!

The good news that I have been shown the way, by good people like yourself and I don't have to rely on luck.

I wil learn to give up carbs and not have the worry.

 

[Maca44]

I see things that I used to eat as a treat not in the same way anymore, I look forward to my meals and they are a treat for me, now I have got the hang of what I can eat without affecting my BG, I ask myself if a food that is going to make my BG go up it's not a treat just a disappointment.

 

[Newbie777]

I see what you mean and it is needs must.

Do you not have cravings or do you have any snacks?