Eating at outdoor shows and festivals

[xoso]

Hi
I'm a 51 year old guy who has just been diagnosed as Type 2 (well about a month ago). At the moment it feels like I'm stumbling around in the dark, reading many conflicting books on diet and I'm just trying to apply common sense. The doctor who told me I had type 2 diabetes took about ten minutes of her time to tell me i had it, prescribed metformin and statins and gave me this web address to read up on! I've got an appointment to see the Diabetes specialist on Monday to review a blood sample I gave last week after three weeks on Metformin so hopefully he will be more forthcoming.

Anyway, I'm sure I will have dozens of questions fro this froum over the coming months but for now I want to ask for your experiencxes on a specific topic. I'm a Formula 1 fan and visit Silverstone for the Britsih Grand Prix for four days every year and in the past I also used to visit many music festivals.I know from past experience that the sort of food available at these sort of events is pretty much a no-no for most diabetics - burgers, hot dogs, pizza, southern fried chiken etc etc.

What i would like to know is how do people cope at outdoor shows. I have a commercial reason for asking. In the past I have often dabbled at outdoor catering (my speciality has always been Thai food, although I'm not Thai) and I've recently been thinking of taking early retirement from my highly stressfull job and getting into carering again but it has ocured to me that no-one is really serving diabetics well at these sort of events - or am I wrong?

Do you think there is a market for someone selling meals more suitable for diabetics and what sort of food would you really like to be able to buy at these sort of events?

Sorry if my first post has a commercial aspect to it but the idea has been building gradually all week and I'm getting excited at the prospect of offering something different and just need to guage if there really is a market for it.

 

[jaykay]

Don't know about specifically for diabetics but I would have thought that more people are into healthier eating nowadays. If you could get the balance right, I'm sure there would be a market for it! Do your research and planning thoroughly, would be my only comment. I now work for an accountants and know how many new businesses fail ( especially in the food industry ) but I have known some good successes too. Good luck!

 

[))Denise((]

Welcome to the forum.

I have attended many festivals in the past and found the food available not suitable for my wheat free low carb diabetic diet, but thankfully many of them allow you to bring your own food.

My meal of choice if you are not permitted to bring your own food is fish and chips (this is available at most festivals) and to throw away the batter and most of the chips. Or I smuggle in my own food in the bottom of my picnic chair bag ....

We all have different foods that spike our blood sugar so it would be difficult to cater to that. Marketing food to the Atkins/Low Carb general member of the public instead of the diabetic may work. Most Type 1's can cover whatever they eat with Insulin so probably wouldn't worry too much about what they eat at a festival.

 

[daisy1]

Hi xoso and welcome to the forum In spite of being a Formula 1 fan I unfortunately have never been able to go to one and have to watch them on telly. I have been to music festivals (went every year to Paleo - a 6-day event in Switzerland) but not since I was diagnosed so then I ate and drank what I liked. I seem to remember that too few drinks would have been suitable for diabetics. Food too carby as well. But if I went to one now I would use food from a specialist supplier provided it had been well publicised so I knew it existed and where to look for it. The food doesn't need to be specifically aimed at diabetics - other groups of people also want to eat what is essentially just a good healthy diet. This forum will help you to find out what sort of food is suitable.

Now to help you. Since you are newly diagnosed you need to know how to look after yourself as well as possible to keep your levels down. Here is some general information which the forum monitors hand out to newly diagnosed diabetics which should help you manage your diabetes. This may differ from what you may already have been told but we have found that this works well in controlling your levels. Here is the link:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17088#p155405

If you have any questions after reading around the forum, please ask and someone will have an answer.

 

[viviennem]

Pre-diabetic but on Atkins (ie, low-carbing), when I went to agricultural shows I just used to ask for roast pork or bacon or whatever without the bread. I found people usually very helpful; the problem comes with burgers and sausages where you have no idea what the carb content is.

I'd just drink water, tea or coffee. Sometimes you can get fruit; an apple or some berries aren't so bad. Unfortunately, no buying cakes off the WI stand! :cry:

Us girls can also slip a pack of baby bel cheeses or mini chorizos or whatever, into our bags.

Also, make sure you have a really good protein-based breakfast which will last you all day. Don't some vans do all-day breakfasts?

Viv

 

[hallii]

Hey Viv, I have a "man bag" so I do take stuff with me

I usually take boiled egg sandwiches on my home made bread 2 slices about 11g carb.

A specialist catering van? It could work, anything to aviod the smell of those frankfurters and onions!

H

 

[cugila]

I agree with Viv.....you can't beat a Full English to set you up for the day.

When at events I don't expect or need my particular diet to be catered for, I just see what there is and have the best I can find that suits what I eat usually. Either that or take a small snack/drinks with me. Saves a fortune as most of the food at these things and drinks are at extortionate prices !

A Burger or a Hot Dog isn't going to kill me on the odd occasion I might have one and as my Bg is usually tightly controlled the odd excursion isn't going to do me any harm........not as if it's every day.

 

[noblehead]

Thai food does sounds good as a alternative catering van at such events, the trouble is that the majority of people who attend are only interested in fast food such as burgers, chips and fried chicken and often see it as a treat away from their normal diet. I eat very healthy at home and on the rare occasions that I do attend concerts (last one was 3 years ago) I like to indulge in a nice burger roll with plenty of fried onions. :twisted:

Nigel

 

[donnellysdogs]

I used to live next to the silverstone circuit, and agree that the food there could do with some alternatives, same with other public events.

I would actually love to go to somewhere with a fresh salad bar. I love going to a particular pub that offers a sald bar, because my husband can eat what he likes I can have what I want from the salad bar....

I would love to go an event that had fresh salad and fresh fruit as an alternative, at reasonable prices of courses!!!

However, I think we can be a minority on this, because my husband and other friends love to go to the greasy food places!!!! My husband thinks it is a treat, as the rest of the time he has a 'good# diet!!!!

 

[angieG]

What about a combination of the two?
How many burger / hot dog stands do you see that offer the burgers / hot dogs with side salad instead of a bun? I'm sure many folks would go for a burger and salad rather than a bun, not just diabetics. Everyone could be happy then at the same place.
Many events have no catering for special diets. What about the dairy intolerant, nut allergy, gluten free etc. Very often in cafes and restaurants a wise choice from the menu is ok but in outside catering it all seems to be the same foodstuffs all the time. Just a bit of time spent labelling menus so we all knew what was ok would help.

I think with a bit of research and thought it could be a good proposal. I for one would love to go to an airshow and be able to have a burger with salad and know my sugars would be fine afterwards!!
Good luck
Angie

 

[donnellysdogs]

Me too Angie!!!!

 

[carty]

When I went to a farmers market on York there was a stall selling and cooking home made lamb burgers .They were using top quality meat and you could smell the difference between them and the usual "greasy burgers! " .They were doing a great trade so I definately think there would be a market for good quality cooked meat maybe a roast pork or beef that could be served with either salad or bread .the price would probably have to reflect the quality but I think that you would build up a good reputation which may take a little time but "word of mouth " can work wonders.Frying some onions and mushrooms would help with the aroma attraction I think it is a great idea go for it!
CAROL

 

[CeeCee59]

One of the biggest hits on the festivals circuit in Canada last year was - wait for it - deep fried Mars bars!!! I kid you not. Couldn't be healthy for anyone. On the other hand, one of the other biggest draws was a slow bbq - chicken, pork or beef cooked all day over a wood burning barbeque at a very low temp. The smell is absolutely mouthwatering! While this is usually served on a bun of some sort, you could always do without or perhaps eat just half. Also common is they include a green salad on the side. Okay so now I'm hungry :lol:

 

[bowell]

One of the biggest hits on the festivals circuit in Canada last year was - wait for it - deep fried Mars bars!!! I kid you not. :lol:

(uncyclopedia.wikia)
The consumer will pass out within yards from the chippie where the bar was purchased. Alone and unconscious, he is now fair game to the Scottish women (Harpies) that stagger down the street fuelled by alcopops.
The eater will start shoving it into his/her mouth involuntarily. Many people report that Deep Fried Mars Bars are more addictive than heroin, but are 20 times less satisfying

It is said to have been invented in the Haven Chip Bar in Stonehaven, near Aberdeen on Scotland's northeast coast, in 1995. Most chip shops in North england sell them inc the Deep fried snickers
New Zealand has a large number of outlets selling deep-fried chocolate
Fish & Chip room in Dubai, UAE also sells battered Mars bars for AED 10
British Cafe in Bangkok
Reported sightings in Canada
American manufacturers caught wind of the trend and committed the ultimate American compliment of imitation

Ok then How many Carbs in That ! Ken :?:
will the fat content slow anything down in this :?:
or combined with 6 vodka and tonics with the fat content could we now safely eat this :?: ?

 

[noblehead]

Deep fried mars bars are a common sight in chip shops up north, I couldn't think of anything more sickly and would rather stick with the traditional fish & chips!

Nigel

 

[lovinglife]

I can't think of anything more disgusting - apart from the cake pie that I saw on hairy bikers last night! a chocolate cake in a pie! eughhh

Have to say though in defense of us northerners I live about as north as you can get in England and have never seen deep fried mars bars on offer in chip shops - have seen in a chippie in the lakes though - chips with about 1/2lb of grated cheese on top then slathered in mayonnaise - I suspect as its a tourist area its one brought in by visiting southerners :wink: :wink:

 

[ClaireG 06]

My local chippy does deep fried black pudding, haggis, mars and creme egg :shock:

 

[Patch]

I've heard (just a rumour, mind you...) that up in t'North, they enjoy gravy n' chips with cheese.

Gravy AND cheese?!?

These people are sick. Why can't they eat normally like us from the West Country - where curry sauce n' chips w/ketchup is the norm. Eh? :wink:

My local chippy does deep fried black pudding...

Whoa. Now THAT I can get with! :lol:

 

[noblehead]

Cheese and chips is adored in Scotland and when I was holidaying there a few years back my kids had this on more than one occasion, each to their own but I just like plain old chips with lashings of vinegar! :twisted:

Nigel

 

[Clairslloyd]

Chips, gravy and extra strong cheese - delicious :wink: