Managing social occassions

[Jo121]

Sorry for yet another question but you guys are so helpful. We have the chance of a babysitter for first time in nearly a year next Saturday so would like to go out for a meal and drinks.

The weekend after we are in Blackpool for 2 nights with the kids.

This is obviously going to mean 2 weekends in a row of meals out and one with drinks. How do I manage this? I'd like to within reason choose what I want off the menu next weekend and when I'm in blackpool I can try get the best option but I'm imagining there wont be a lot of choice.
I've been eating very clean and low calorie since I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago so I dont want to ruin this however for my mental health I need to know I can still have a life. Do I do extra exercise the day I go out and the day after and have even less carbs the next few weeks on rest of the days?

I can forgo next weekend but my husband and I havent had a date in a year and we dont get chance of a babysitter very often.

I'm really scared to do anything dangerous for my health but I'm only 40 I need a life as well

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I just had a night out.
Swapped the fries for a salad, had fish maybe, skipped the puddings.
I decided there are many ways diabetes could control my life, physically and mentally, both equally bad for me, so sometimes cutting yourself a little slack is necessary. And not all meals put are bad choices.
G&T, or dry wine isn't too bad either.

 

[Inka]

Could you go for a walk after your meal? That would help offset any carbs, and can be quite romantic.

 

[Jo121]

Could you go for a walk after your meal? That would help offset any carbs, and can be quite romantic.

I would hubby wouldnt. I could book a pub after the meal that's a walk as a cunning plan

 

[Christy]

Life is for living so enjoy yourself. Maybe make some good choices and smaller bad choices. Side salad and steal some of your husband's chips? Share a pudding? You can't be completely strict or it'll drive you mad.

 

[SB2015]

I would hubby wouldnt. I could book a pub after the meal that's a walk as a cunning plan

That sounds good thinking. A walk after a meal can make a big difference As your body uses up some of the glucose in your system. We try to do that each evening but don’t always manage it!!

 

[Jo121]

Thanks I wasnt even worrying about a pudding just wanted to get a decent main

Life is for living so enjoy yourself. Maybe make some good choices and smaller bad choices. Side salad and steal some of your husband's chips? Share a pudding? You can't be completely strict or it'll drive you mad.

 

[Drummer]

Sorry for yet another question but you guys are so helpful. We have the chance of a babysitter for first time in nearly a year next Saturday so would like to go out for a meal and drinks.

The weekend after we are in Blackpool for 2 nights with the kids.

This is obviously going to mean 2 weekends in a row of meals out and one with drinks. How do I manage this? I'd like to within reason choose what I want off the menu next weekend and when I'm in blackpool I can try get the best option but I'm imagining there wont be a lot of choice.
I've been eating very clean and low calorie since I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago so I dont want to ruin this however for my mental health I need to know I can still have a life. Do I do extra exercise the day I go out and the day after and have even less carbs the next few weeks on rest of the days?

I can forgo next weekend but my husband and I havent had a date in a year and we dont get chance of a babysitter very often.

I'm really scared to do anything dangerous for my health but I'm only 40 I need a life as well

You don't really need to bother about calories day to day and as long as your choices are fairly low carb then you should be fine.
Maybe when it Blackpool you could try a fish and chip shop café one day? I usually ask for a lightly battered large cod and a salad, which most seem able to provide.

 

[Leadinglights]

If you know which restaurant you are going to then have a look at their menu before hand and I'm sure you will find something which you will like, think about what you would have chosen before and if that would have been pizza then chose thin crust and only have half of the base but all of the topping and add a salad. Caesar salad is usually low carb, salmon or chicken with veg or salad will be low carb. If curry is your choice then just a bit of rice or some of the sizzlers with salad will be low carb.
Profiteroles are not too bad on carbs for pudding. Some places do a mini pudding with a coffee as a choice.

 

[Jo121]

You don't really need to bother about calories day to day and as long as your choices are fairly low carb then you should be fine.
Maybe when it Blackpool you could try a fish and chip shop café one day? I usually ask for a lightly battered large cod and a salad, which most seem able to provide.

I dont eat fish unfortunately.

 

[Jo121]

If you know which restaurant you are going to then have a look at their menu before hand and I'm sure you will find something which you will like, think about what you would have chosen before and if that would have been pizza then chose thin crust and only have half of the base but all of the topping and add a salad. Caesar salad is usually low carb, salmon or chicken with veg or salad will be low carb. If curry is your choice then just a bit of rice or some of the sizzlers with salad will be low carb.
Profiteroles are not too bad on carbs for pudding. Some places do a mini pudding with a coffee as a choice.

I'm a little against paying for something and only eating half of it if I'm honest. I'll be avoiding curry because that's my all time fav but I only eat vegetarian from an indian and the rice and nann with the sauce is my nemisis

 

[Leadinglights]

I'm a little against paying for something and only eating half of it if I'm honest. I'll be avoiding curry because that's my all time fav but I only eat vegetarian from an indian and the rice and nann with the sauce is my nemisis

I think it is a fact that restaurant and pub meals are far too big and one has to get used to the idea that sometimes it is better to leave some of the food rather than feeling ill, many pubs have a light or smaller portion option on their menu so maybe look at those.
There are super veggie options for Indian meals, paneer tikka, mushroom or brinjal bargi, maybe roti instead of Naan. I'm afraid mango chutney is my downfall.

 

[rebrascora]

I have often ordered 2 starters instead of a main course because the starters are often a) more interesting and b) lighter.
So I end up having 2 small interesting meals instead of a big plateful in one go.

It does seem that you are going to need to learn to compromise a bit in some way, either in the food choices you make when eating out or not eating the full portion or asking them to put less on your plate, particularly the carb rich foods.... and find a way to enjoy that compromise. We have all found it difficult initially to cope with these situations and still enjoy them but I think you have to accept that you can't completely go back to the old ways of eating whatever you like. Make small adjustments here and there to the things you like to make them more diabetes friendly. You will get used to it and you will possibly even learn to enjoy that small portion of rice or quarter of a naan much more for it being rationed. half the time we just eat the portion because it is there (and as you say, you have paid for it) not because we really want or need it. Surely your health is worth more than such a lame principle. Ask for a doggy bag and take it home to feed the birds if you object to the waste, or share a portion with someone else.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I'm a little against paying for something and only eating half of it if I'm honest. I'll be avoiding curry because that's my all time fav but I only eat vegetarian from an indian and the rice and nann with the sauce is my nemisis

It's a change of mindset.
You are not just paying for a meal.
You are paying for an experience.
In your case datenight, and it's important that you have quality time with your other half.
So what if that means leaving a few pounds worth of food on the plate?
Life still goes on.

An option I chose was ordering kids meals, or oap meals, no issue when I told them I was on a diet.
You must have experience of places that actually serve decent kids meals, you say you have kids?
The other option is to simply share a meal or snack with your husband, we simply order one portion, and ask for a second plate and cutlery.

 

[Spozkins]

You don't have to leave any, you could always ask for a smaller portion or for them to swap some item from the meal for a lighter option.

I'm a proper nusciance when I eat out for intolerances and wanted portions swapped or changed and 9 times out of 10 I find restaurants to be accommodating and will often knock some of the price off.

Either way I wouldn't worry too much, it's been a long time so enjoy yourself and just reflect afterwards over what worked and what didn't. You'll get used to eating out with diabetes in time.

Have fun!

Oo er, there's other ways to work it off than walking too haha.

 

[Leadinglights]

I think we have to be eternally grateful that pubs and restaurants are doing meals which cater for all sorts of dietary requirements and have to make the ingredients information available.
I remember the days as a child in the 1950's when it was virtually impossible for my Dad to get a vegetarian meal, even if it was omelette and veg and chips, the chips would have been cooked in lard. A cheese sandwich would have had margarine, again made with animal fat.
A friend who has gluten, egg and dairy allergy really struggles even now.

 

[Spozkins]

I think we have to be eternally grateful that pubs and restaurants are doing meals which cater for all sorts of dietary requirements and have to make the ingredients information available.
I remember the days as a child in the 1950's when it was virtually impossible for my Dad to get a vegetarian meal, even if it was omelette and veg and chips, the chips would have been cooked in lard. A cheese sandwich would have had margarine, again made with animal fat.
A friend who has gluten, egg and dairy allergy really struggles even now.

I only went vegetarian in the millennium and even then it was a nightmare. You are so right, times have changed and we're so lucky to be able to chose what we eat whereas many in the world don't.

 

[KARNAK]

Oo er, there's other ways to work it off than walking too haha.

Don`t know what you mean @Spozkins but I`ll give it a go. 😱😉

 

[Jo121]

I have often ordered 2 starters instead of a main course because the starters are often a) more interesting and b) lighter.
So I end up having 2 small interesting meals instead of a big plateful in one go.

It does seem that you are going to need to learn to compromise a bit in some way, either in the food choices you make when eating out or not eating the full portion or asking them to put less on your plate, particularly the carb rich foods.... and find a way to enjoy that compromise. We have all found it difficult initially to cope with these situations and still enjoy them but I think you have to accept that you can't completely go back to the old ways of eating whatever you like. Make small adjustments here and there to the things you like to make them more diabetes friendly. You will get used to it and you will possibly even learn to enjoy that small portion of rice or quarter of a naan much more for it being rationed. half the time we just eat the portion because it is there (and as you say, you have paid for it) not because we really want or need it. Surely your health is worth more than such a lame principle. Ask for a doggy bag and take it home to feed the birds if you object to the waste, or share a portion with someone else.

I am going to have to learn snd believe me my health is more important but I'm 3 weeks in and in shock so please cut me a little slack. I've eaten 1000calories a day for the last 3 weeks. Not a crumb of processed food has crossed my lips during that time. My diet has been extremely clean. I've increased my exercise by enlisting a PT and I've increased my steps from 10k at least a day to 15k at least. I think it's got to be said there is some acceptance that things need to change right there and I am adapting.

I'm struggling because I'm not ovetweight(far from it) and had a healthy lifestyle before my diagnosis. Exercised regularly obsessive about getting steps in and apart from one takeaway a week my diet was all home cooked meals - no jars or ready made sauces etc so I was just asking for some advice on how to go out and not feel like I'm missing out. I accept I'll have to change what I order I'm just not sure I'd have the willpower to order a pizza and only eat half of it but that surely just makes me human.

All advice on here is very much appreciated thank you

 

[Jo121]

Not

It's a change of mindset.
You are not just paying for a meal.
You are paying for an experience.
In your case datenight, and it's important that you have quality time with your other half.
So what if that means leaving a few pounds worth of food on the plate?
Life still goes on.

An option I chose was ordering kids meals, or oap meals, no issue when I told them I was on a diet.
You must have experience of places that actually serve decent kids meals, you say you have kids?
The other option is to simply share a meal or snack with your husband, we simply order one portion, and ask for a second plate and cutlery.

Sure the hubby would share his food