Holidays.....

[Granny_Mo]

Hi My husband is fairly newly diagnosed with T2 (about 3 months ago). He is doing well and has lost over a stone in about 3 months. He also has a spinal cord injury to add to the fun! He is sticking broadly to a low carb diet and mostly doesn't feel too deprived. He has a small indulgence most days such as a no sugar biscuit or a glass of wine for special meals. We are quite inventive and he mostly enjoys his new diet. We are able to go on holiday for the first time in 5 years soon (he hasn't been well enough and needs specialist equipment because of his SCI). We have booked a week at a seaside resort in an accessible apartment in a few weeks. I am very excited but also a little apprehensive. He keeps asking how strict he needs to be diet wise while we are away. For him, part of the joys of holidays is eating things we don't eat at home - fish and chips, afternoon tea etc. I am really unsure what will happen if he doesn't stick with the low/no carbs. he takes metformin and had no diabetes symptoms pre diagnosis. It was just discovered during a routine blood test. Any advice, please?

 

[walnut_face]

Beware the fish and chips, the chips you know about, the batter needs to stay in the paper
Wine is fine, and the odd G&T (slimline). Beer is a no-no BUT there are 2 beers that are lowish in carbs and readily available, no more than a pint mind - they are Holsten Pils, and Coors Light
Steak and salad is ok, just go easy on the fries. As you OH has a back problem, he is less able to walk the carbs off. If he has a meter, that will give you a guide to the cans and can't of eating.

Above all, enjoy the break

 

[pavlosn]

Hi great news about the holiday. I hope the two of you have a great time.
I am not sure that there is a right answer to the question you raise. Personally I would not be so strict that the diet gets in the way of my first holiday in five years. But don't go completely off the rails either! You may have to do some bargaining.
Does your husband test his blood glucose levels. If so that alone will ensure that he does not go too crazy.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app

 

[badcat]

Hi My husband is fairly newly diagnosed with T2 (about 3 months ago). He is doing well and has lost over a stone in about 3 months. He also has a spinal cord injury to add to the fun! He is sticking broadly to a low carb diet and mostly doesn't feel too deprived. He has a small indulgence most days such as a no sugar biscuit or a glass of wine for special meals. We are quite inventive and he mostly enjoys his new diet. We are able to go on holiday for the first time in 5 years soon (he hasn't been well enough and needs specialist equipment because of his SCI). We have booked a week at a seaside resort in an accessible apartment in a few weeks. I am very excited but also a little apprehensive. He keeps asking how strict he needs to be diet wise while we are away. For him, part of the joys of holidays is eating things we don't eat at home - fish and chips, afternoon tea etc. I am really unsure what will happen if he doesn't stick with the low/no carbs. he takes metformin and had no diabetes symptoms pre diagnosis. It was just discovered during a routine blood test. Any advice, please?

That depends very much on how much he chooses to eat 'holiday treats' - 1 afternoon tea or fish and chips wont do much in the grand scheme of things, on the other hand I would suspect that cream tea / chips etc on a daily basis will see weight gain and a rise in blood sugars.
I think one of the real challenges of dietaty management in diabetes is the shift in mindset involved in seeing v high carb meals as poison rather than treats and enjoying the journey finding out which of the new treats available to replace them with are ones you like

 

[DeejayR]

Yes, it's a balancing act and the older we get the more health issues we often have to juggle between. I feel you should be as relaxed as possible on your holiday and your husband must decide how many "treats" will keep his conscience clear in those wee small hours when our indiscretions return to haunt us! Good advice above on avoiding the obviously harmful food. Red wine and spirits are also usually ok.
You don't say if you're staying in the UK or going abroad but I find it pays to plan ahead if possible. If you have access to Google Street View it's often invaluable in exploring wherever you're going at ground level.