Paniking

[Jo121]

Just away in blackpool for the weekend having an amazing time with kids but looking for food is spoiling it and stressing me out. Day at the pleasure beach and had to trail all the food outlets just to find a sandwich which was at least better than burger or fries but its spiked me to 9 2 hours after eating.

Now kids are crying for their tea after a hectic day and we have trailed and driven about for 45mins trying to find somewhere that isnt junk and carbs but everywhere full. Now sat back in hotel waiting on a dominos pizza which is making me sick with worry because I know I shouldnt eat it but its eat that or dont eat . How on earth do you all manage weekends away when the whole world seems geared up for junk? I was so sure somewhere would do a salad in the pleasure beach and we would find somewhere to eat tonight. I hadnt booked as didnt know what time we would leave the theme park. It's just dawning on me what a big effect this is having on our lives as a family as normally we would just have got chips on way out from the pleasure beach

 

[Lucyr]

I think it’s less stress to plan in advance and pack a picnic, or find a supermarket and buy some food there, or M&S do good ready to eat food options. If you’re trying to stay low carb then of the options available having a burger and just not eating all of the bun would have been the best option. If you’ve done loads of walking around the theme park all day you’ll probably be able to get away with more carbs than usual anyway.

 

[Leadinglights]

Two days of not having your usual meals is not the end of the world, just do your best to find and have something you are going to enjoy eating. Getting stressed about it is not going to help your levels.
Unless you are having to test because of taking insulin I wouldn't even bother. If you are having somewhat higher carb than normal then make sure you drink plenty of water. The burger on half the bun with the salad etc would have been less carbs than the sandwich.
You can then go back to normal on Monday.

 

[Robin]

I tend to rely on picnics kept in a cool bag, or supermarkets these days, as I just can’t stand the smell of cheap frying oil that usually emanates from the fast food places. You’ll know for next time, but in the meantime, one day isn’t going to make a lot of difference.

 

[Drummer]

Supermarkets with hot meat counters are one way to find something to eat, but fish and chip shops also sell fish - although it is expensive a large cod is enough to feed me for 12 hours, and I don't eat much of the batter.
Supermarkets will also supply ready made salad, though I usually ensure I have tins of meat or fish and salad stuff with me, so as not to need to waste time finding them rather than doing holiday things.

 

[Jo121]

I tend to rely on picnics kept in a cool bag, or supermarkets these days, as I just can’t stand the smell of cheap frying oil that usually emanates from the fast food places. You’ll know for next time, but in the meantime, one day isn’t going to make a lot of difference.

Picnic wasnt an option as it was our second day unless I suppose next time I get a pre packed salad from a supermarket if can find one

 

[Jo121]

Supermarkets with hot meat counters are one way to find something to eat, but fish and chip shops also sell fish - although it is expensive a large cod is enough to feed me for 12 hours, and I don't eat much of the batter.
Supermarkets will also supply ready made salad, though I usually ensure I have tins of meat or fish and salad stuff with me, so as not to need to waste time finding them rather than doing holiday things.

I dont do fish unfortunately and I'm also not a big meat eater so I think I need to just find a supermarket next time. It's such a bloody inconvenience

 

[rebrascora]

Most pizza/kebab shops will do you a salad box with lemon juice and you could ask them to put cheese on it and garlic mayonnaise or grilled chicken breast, if you eat chicken but no pitta or maybe just eat half a pitta. The rest of family could have kebabs, burgers or pizza and chips/fries if necessary from the same place.... or go to a Chinese restaurant or takeaway and order egg foo young or I often have char sui or duck with ginger and spring onion (you don't get much meat i those dishes) with Chinese stir fried veg and a couple of small dessert spoons of my partner's rice to mop up the juice.

It takes time to figure out what to have when you eat out and I remember how frustrating it was when I was first diagnosed and carb rich food adverts and shops and menus were absolutely everywhere. It makes you realise just how unhealthy our modern diet is when you see all the outlets for donuts and cup cakes and cookies and fries and pizza etc. In fact I find it quite depressing because children are growing up with this way of eating being the norm and they will almost certainly suffer for it with diabetes and fatty liver disease even more than the current generation. I hate to say it but the government may have to legislate in some way eventually or somehow incentivize healthy eating.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

I usually pack my own or try and find a Subway and have their salad bowls. Planning really helps so you can balance things out before, during and or after your trip.

As mentioned above, a few days of different foods is fine. It’s about how you manage it. Lots of water, a nice long brisk walk along the beach and or some strengthening exercises to help mitigate any issues.

As time goes on, choosing healthier options will become the norm but it’s about knowing what to look/ask for.

 

[Jo121]

Most pizza/kebab shops will do you a salad box with lemon juice and you could ask them to put cheese on it and garlic mayonnaise or grilled chicken breast, if you eat chicken but no pitta or maybe just eat half a pitta. The rest of family could have kebabs, burgers or pizza and chips/fries if necessary from the same place.... or go to a Chinese restaurant or takeaway and order egg foo young or I often have char sui or duck with ginger and spring onion (you don't get much meat i those dishes) with Chinese stir fried veg and a couple of small dessert spoons of my partner's rice to mop up the juice.

It takes time to figure out what to have when you eat out and I remember how frustrating it was when I was first diagnosed and carb rich food adverts and shops and menus were absolutely everywhere. It makes you realise just how unhealthy our modern diet is when you see all the outlets for donuts and cup cakes and cookies and fries and pizza etc. In fact I find it quite depressing because children are growing up with this way of eating being the norm and they will almost certainly suffer for it with diabetes and fatty liver disease even more than the current generation. I hate to say it but the government may have to legislate in some way eventually or somehow incentivize healthy eating.

Thanks. I think it was just a shock when I realised at the theme park there was nothing but junk. I agree it is everywhere and it does scare me. My kids obviously had a treat day yest but it did worry me thinking how much sugar/junk they were having In one day because that's all there was at the theme park.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope it didn’t cast too long a shadow over your trip away @Jo121

While you can try to fund some workarounds... don’t forget you are on holiday too - and an occasional higher carb couple of days isn’t going to cause any long term problems.

 

[Jo121]

Hope it didn’t cast too long a shadow over your trip away @Jo121

While you can try to fund some workarounds... don’t forget you are on holiday too - and an occasional higher carb couple of days isn’t going to cause any long term problems.

It didnt in the end. I was stressed when couldnt get anything other than pizza and I do seem to be paying for it still 2 days later with higher readings on a morning but I'm back home now with a fridge full of healthy food. I think I have learnt that next time I need to plan more and find a supermarket nearby so I can get myself a salad for a lunchtime and then ensure have pre booked meals out for the night time. It just takes the chill out of a holiday a little as they arent meant to be regimented

 

[Leadinglights]

It didnt in the end. I was stressed when couldnt get anything other than pizza and I do seem to be paying for it still 2 days later with higher readings on a morning but I'm back home now with a fridge full of healthy food. I think I have learnt that next time I need to plan more and find a supermarket nearby so I can get myself a salad for a lunchtime and then ensure have pre booked meals out for the night time. It just takes the chill out of a holiday a little as they arent meant to be regimented

This whole pandemic has taken the spontaneity out of being able to go anywhere, having to book in advance and then being stuck with having to go somewhere on a rainy day.
I must admit we haven't bothered but it's different if you have kids to satisfy, all you can do is your best and a couple of days of higher readings won't affect things in the long term.
A glass of Pimm's seemed to put on half a kilo this morning , must have been the strawberry, cucumber and mint?

 

[trophywench]

My friend reckons that Pimms is nowhere as enjoyable as it was when we were younger cos then we got a whole garden in it, but now - only an herbaceous border ......

Never found anywhere that used Diet Lemonade to make Pimms yet - gotta keep testing placed in case I do !

 

[Becka]

It didnt in the end. I was stressed when couldnt get anything other than pizza and I do seem to be paying for it still 2 days later with higher readings on a morning but I'm back home now with a fridge full of healthy food.

Stress also causes increased glucose levels.

Aside from planning in advance (which can simply mean just having an app on your phone for Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-Op etc. to be able to locate a nearest branch), the best thing you can do for the next time something similar happens is to accept that sometimes things are out of your control. That not being perfect for one or two days will not do you any harm. But that panicking over it will make things worse.

Stress and diabetes

Stress doesn't cause diabetes but it can affect your blood sugar levels and how you look after your condition. Having diabetes to manage on top of life’s normal ups and downs can itself be a cause of stress. It’s not always easy to live with and this can also feel harder when many people don’t...

www.diabetes.org.uk