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Think I'm doing okay ???..

Patrick - You refer to your food being "bland". What's bland about it, and what would you consider not to be bland?

Please don't think I'm challenging or mocking you. I'm not. It can just find a little whiler to find your groove. As others have said, I use lots of herbs and spices in my cooking, but I know you have some issues around food, and I know with your focus on your op, you won't want to risk anything silly. I'm just wondering if there's something we can suggest to give you a bit of zing in your food.

I find it all quite bland. I'm just not enjoying any of it. I eat such a limited range of veg etc to begin with that its hard injecting variety ?. I cant eat herbs or spices as they don't agree with me. You wouldn't believe the arguments I have had with Basil!.

I eat Pork, I have Chicken, I eat a big salad full of meta and cheese, I have roast chicken wings in the fridge for a snack, I have 97% sausages (which are the nicest thing I eat) but my veg is basically limited to cauliflower and broccoli. (Suddenly thinks of cauliflower cheese!!) and I have a full English when I have the time to do one. I eat full fat yogurt which is totally repulsive even with bit of fruit thrown in...

But I kind of dread every meal.
 
Whilst 3.3 seems like a scary low number, there are a couple of things to consider
- it is not unusual for someone without diabetes to experience a reading less than 4
- our meters are not 100% accurate. They must be accurate to within 15% so a reading an actual 4 could come out as 3.4 on your meter.

I second the suggestion to try some spices or herbs. Spicy does not have to mean "hot" - cinnamon is a spice which is not hot, for example.
Well done on the improvements and good luck with the test.
Thank you.
 
In that case you're doing even better than I thought you were. Well done! A full English sounds lovely, but I do hope you have or find other options. All the best :)
Very kind. Thank you.
 
I have quite an eversion to tomato. Odd because I can eat Bolognese and have them in a salad but give me one to eat and I run for the hills (well, walk actually,
Funny, but I have exactly the same thing with tomatoes. I need to have them with something, never on their own.
 
My cauliflower cheese varies with whatever I have in the fridge. I start with frying a little onion and mushrooms whilst the cauliflower and sometimes broccoli, and I use butter to fry.

When it's ready to put together, add cream to the frying pan, add grated parmesan or similar. Put the cauliflower in the oven proof dish. Pour over the contents of the frying pan.

Top with more cheese and put in a hot oven until browned and bubbly.

Are you the main cook in the house?
 
Thank you Jo.

Its just that "starting from a very narrow diet anyway" perspective. Herbs and spices aren't my thing. In fact I struggle with good old pepper and although I love India as a country, I cant eat spicy food.

I have quite an eversion to tomato. Odd because I can eat Bolognese and have them in a salad but give me one to eat and I run for the hills (well, walk actually, fibromyalgia has put paid to running) .

On we go..
I get it, I really do... My diet was already limited due to migraine triggers as well as rheumatism triggers, so it was narrow here too, though not as bad as yours, I suppose. On keto at least I could tolerate dairy and eggs again, about 4 months in, without rheumatism flare-ups. Haven't limped in a while! (Hip inflammation) The migraine triggers stay put though, so no yoghurt for me. Nor a gazillion other things. But I don't miss them much, there's other stuff to enjoy.

My husband wants to go to a Dutch amusement park tomorrow, as a belated birthday celebration, -he turned 34 last week- and as it's a new year, I'm going through all their restaurants' menu's with a fine tooth comb again to see what I can order. It's still a nice list, but everything has to be adapted. No buns, no fries, extra salad or veggies... I know they'll accomodate me, as they always have and without complaint, but it's still, you know... Sometimes it does feel like T2 is a full-time job. (With other foodlimitations tossed in the mix, I sometimes actually forget to factor those in, and suffer for it! Duh!). I've made my list though, and am looking forward to ordering certain things... Their eggs are fine, so are the burgers, but the steak is really excellent. ;) Think I'll spoil myself for a bit, maybe. So rather than seeing it as a chore, which it is, I'm just trying to turn it on its head by making it something like, looking forward to what I'll order. I have choices, even if they are limited. And the list will help me remember to tell them to leave certain things off. ;) Have you ever heard of Flip-Thinking? (https://omdenken.com/flip-thinking/) It's hard for people like you and me, because we tend to only see problems... Depression does that. But sometimes it really does help you work around things; know what the limitations are and find the possibilities. I have to plow through menu's for a day out. It takes time and there's a lot there which I used to love but can't eat anymore, so yeah, that kinda hurts. Flip thinking: Yes, there's a lot there I can't eat. And there's enough that I can, with slight adjustments. It'll save me going to places where I can't eat anyway, it'll keep me from having a full blown panic attack when the server shows up because I'll know what to order a day before they're even at my table, and ye gods now I really want a steak, and I'm getting one tomorrow...! (Unless I change my mind and go for one of the other six options!)

The possibilities may not be as many or as varied as we'd like, but they're there, if we look for them. That's kinda the point I'm trying to make. (Sometimes I get a little lost in my own prattle, sorry. ;) ). So tomatoes are a no. Salmon too. Herbs, spicy stuff... So look at what makes you go yes, and go from there. :)
Jo
 
I find it all quite bland. I'm just not enjoying any of it. I eat such a limited range of veg etc to begin with that its hard injecting variety ?. I cant eat herbs or spices as they don't agree with me. You wouldn't believe the arguments I have had with Basil!.

I eat Pork, I have Chicken, I eat a big salad full of meta and cheese, I have roast chicken wings in the fridge for a snack, I have 97% sausages (which are the nicest thing I eat) but my veg is basically limited to cauliflower and broccoli. (Suddenly thinks of cauliflower cheese!!) and I have a full English when I have the time to do one. I eat full fat yogurt which is totally repulsive even with bit of fruit thrown in...

But I kind of dread every meal.

Have you tried roasted belly pork? I also do a fabulous keto chilli. Of course, the chilli has some tomato in it, but it is disappeared into the sauce and it also has chilli in it, but you could always reduce the chilli to suit your taste. I'm fortunate enough to be able to eat red kidney beans, but others use black olives to replicate the "bean". The particular recipe I use doesn't have any beans in it anyway.

You could have that with cauliflower rice, or just in a bowl
 
My cauliflower cheese varies with whatever I have in the fridge. I start with frying a little onion and mushrooms whilst the cauliflower and sometimes broccoli, and I use butter to fry.

When it's ready to put together, add cream to the frying pan, add grated parmesan or similar. Put the cauliflower in the oven proof dish. Pour over the contents of the frying pan.

Top with more cheese and put in a hot oven until browned and bubbly.

Are you the main cook in the house?
No, I cant cook. I cant follow recipes.
 
Have you tried roasted belly pork? I also do a fabulous keto chilli. Of course, the chilli has some tomato in it, but it is disappeared into the sauce and it also has chilli in it, but you could always reduce the chilli to suit your taste. I'm fortunate enough to be able to eat red kidney beans, but others use black olives to replicate the "bean". The particular recipe I use doesn't have any beans in it anyway.

You could have that with cauliflower rice, or just in a bowl
I love Pork Belly.

Thank you.
 
Rubbish,. Nor could I when I started out. You’re gonna have to learn, my friend. Buy fresh whole ingredients and some pans. You’ll either learn to cook or starve :)
My better half cooks. She can follow a recipe.
 
Rubbish,. Nor could I when I started out. You’re gonna have to learn, my friend. Buy fresh whole ingredients and some pans. You’ll either learn to cook or starve :)
I appreciate you're being supportive and trying to motivate @Patrick66, but sometimes people with autism do find things far more challenging than us, Also skill transference can be difficult. My son is very capable but at the same time not capable at all if that makes sense :)

@Patrick66 you're doing extremely well you should be pleased with yourself. My son also has a limited choice of foods although it's not usually taste that dictates it but more sensory issues. If maybe you could list the foods you do like to eat and the way you like your food to look and be plated I'm sure we could help you get some variety:)
 
I appreciate you're being supportive and trying to motivate @Patrick66, but sometimes people with autism do find things far more challenging than us, Also skill transference can be difficult. My son is very capable but at the same time not capable at all if that makes sense :)

@Patrick66 you're doing extremely well you should be pleased with yourself. My son also has a limited choice of foods although it's not usually taste that dictates it but more sensory issues. If maybe you could list the foods you do like to eat and the way you like your food to look and be plated I'm sure we could help you get some variety:)
For me its sensory eg smell, texture but taste, I can tell at the slightest whether my body is going to rebel.

I eat Pork, Chicken Beef, Lamb. White Fish. 97% sausages. Eggs. Bacon. Cheddar Cheese only. Anchor Butter only.

Eat Broccoli, Cauliflower....like garden peas but they're carb heavy. Cant abide carrots. Swede okay. Broad beans no, runners yes.

Yogurt (breakfast) Strawberries, Raspberries. Occasional satsuma.

Not into cereals, nuts, seeds. Don't enjoy rice or pasta. Ate only boiled, mashed or chips when it comes to potatoes.

Like gravy but not other sauces. Mushrooms are okay. Tomatoes fried or in salads only.

That's about it...for the moment.
 
I stopped satsumas and Clementines because of the carbs. I was very sorry to see them go.

What sort of puddings so you like? Maybe we can find something good to treat you.
 
Rubbish,. Nor could I when I started out. You’re gonna have to learn, my friend. Buy fresh whole ingredients and some pans. You’ll either learn to cook or starve :)
That is a bit harsh not all men or women come to that are able to cook for whatever reason especially if like Patrick they have autism which can make the every day tasks we do very difficult for them to do. He has a partner who does the cooking
 
For me its sensory eg smell, texture but taste, I can tell at the slightest whether my body is going to rebel.

I eat Pork, Chicken Beef, Lamb. White Fish. 97% sausages. Eggs. Bacon. Cheddar Cheese only. Anchor Butter only.

Eat Broccoli, Cauliflower....like garden peas but they're carb heavy. Cant abide carrots. Swede okay. Broad beans no, runners yes.

Yogurt (breakfast) Strawberries, Raspberries. Occasional satsuma.

Not into cereals, nuts, seeds. Don't enjoy rice or pasta. Ate only boiled, mashed or chips when it comes to potatoes.

Like gravy but not other sauces. Mushrooms are okay. Tomatoes fried or in salads only.

That's about it...for the moment.
Well that’s a awesome list to choose from.
You are doing well.
Meat with a bit of butter and some green beens or cauliflower or broccoli and a bit of salt and your set.
No need to get too fancy.
 
I stopped satsumas and Clementines because of the carbs. I was very sorry to see them go.

What sort of puddings so you like? Maybe we can find something good to treat you.
I only have one a day. I have it in my morning yogurt because it just about makes it palatable. I miss them as well.
 
That is a bit harsh not all men or women come to that are able to cook for whatever reason especially if like Patrick they have autism which can make the every day tasks we do very difficult for them to do. He has a partner who does the cooking

Yes. Sorry. I was merely trying to promote the idea that you don’t need to be a cook. I’m certainly not. I just get creative and chuck stuff together. As long as the ingredients are all natural then you can’t go wrong. But in any case it was merely friendly motivation.
 
I stopped satsumas and Clementines because of the carbs. I was very sorry to see them go.

What sort of puddings so you like? Maybe we can find something good to treat you.

I wasn't a big pudding person although things like apple crumble and apple pie went down well. Especially a toffee-apple pie...ahem!.
Chocolate fudge cake, chocolate mousse..
 
That is a bit harsh not all men or women come to that are able to cook for whatever reason especially if like Patrick they have autism which can make the every day tasks we do very difficult for them to do. He has a partner who does the cooking
I simply cant follow a recipe. As I said I cant even do scrambled eggs. Its not uncommon amongst autistic people.
 
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