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Christmas

M

mack76

Well-Known Member
Messages
76
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
What do you eat over xmas as a diabetic this is my first Xmas and I'm so fed up as can't have the usual treats now
 
mack76 said:
What do you eat over xmas as a diabetic this is my first Xmas and I'm so fed up as can't have the usual treats now
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I pretty much stick to what I normally eat on my keto diet, I do have a small spoon of Christmas pudding with lots of cream and my exception over Christmas is Boxing Day when I have cold meats & pickles with about 6 chips ( I look forward to this most) I sometimes make extra keto things like a cheesecake or a cake but not bothering this year.

There is usually a thread running around this time but no one seems to have resurected this year, will see if I can find it for you.

The first Christmas I did let myself have all the “treats” I felt I was missing out on and spent the whole time feeling rough and sleeping so I decided it wasn’t worth it
 
mack76 said:
What do you eat over xmas as a diabetic this is my first Xmas and I'm so fed up as can't have the usual treats now
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My first Xmas post diagnosis I'd been keto for about three weeks and thought I'd have a day off.

I was really ill, couldn't cope with the sugar at all. Main meal was fine, but it was the pudding and mince pies I really could not handle.

Sinec then Christmas has been plenty of meats and veg (some is not so green), and I do have a roast potato. Or two. I'm doing a frozen berry yoghurt for my pudding, the others are having chocolate sponge. And then there's cheese.
 
I'm sticking to low carb, mostly!
I'm allowing myself small tastes of some things that I really really miss such as chocolate and cake but for treats I've gone for really good cheeses and low carb alcohol.

Like the others I find what used to be "treats" now makes me ill and I can no longer eat quantities of it.

We have birthdays on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day as well so our 3 day menus are going to be:
Slow cooked lamb shwarma, profiteroles with coffee and Baileys cream
Turkey, trimmings, veg, (no potatoes for me) , mulled pears or Xmas pud
Salmon with cucumber, dill and mustard. Tiramisu

Carb eaters may have wraps, potatoes, bread etc "on the side".

I'm quite looking forward to it
 
lovinglife said:
I pretty much stick to what I normally eat on my keto diet, I do have a small spoon of Christmas pudding with lots of cream and my exception over Christmas is Boxing Day when I have cold meats & pickles with about 6 chips ( I look forward to this most) I sometimes make extra keto things like a cheesecake or a cake but not bothering this year.

There is usually a thread running around this time but no one seems to have resurected this year, will see if I can find it for you.

The first Christmas I did let myself have all the “treats” I felt I was missing out on and spent the whole time feeling rough and sleeping so I decided it wasn’t worth it
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I'm planning to smoke a pork shoulder - pretty much all for myself... that'll be a treat.
(when I say smoke, I mean smoke it in an outdoor barbecue, not wrap it in paper and try to inhale the thing...)
 
Chris24Main said:
I'm planning to smoke a pork shoulder - pretty much all for myself... that'll be a treat.
(when I say smoke, I mean smoke it in an outdoor barbecue, not wrap it in paper and try to inhale the thing...)
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Sounds great I'm having pork for new year
 
KennyA said:
My first Xmas post diagnosis I'd been keto for about three weeks and thought I'd have a day off.

I was really ill, couldn't cope with the sugar at all. Main meal was fine, but it was the pudding and mince pies I really could not handle.

Sinec then Christmas has been plenty of meats and veg (some is not so green), and I do have a roast potato. Or two. I'm doing a frozen berry yoghurt for my pudding, the others are having chocolate sponge. And then there's cheese.
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Yes I will definitely be careful had a bolognaise recently with a bit of pasta werid how things make me feel worse.now I've noticed after certain foods I feel lousy for hours and a bad headache
 
Yeah, roast turkey without the starchy veg, cold ham with mustard, beetroot and herring salad with sour cream.

I made the decision to be LCHF/Keto long term with two days off (Easter too was a big mistake! For obvious reasons) - Xmas Day feasting with family, and my birthday. But bear in mind, I was a hyper responder to exercise, and since becoming lame my blood glucose is now sky high. So. Experiment? Is what I always say. See what you can handle.

Also, something to consider over time is, having sugar when you have become unused to it and your body cannot deal with it well (ie diabetes) can give you a ill-reaction as stated above, I think. And one of the ways blood glucose problems manifest is in mood disodering, which is not good for feasting with family. (For me - bad temper) These are things, weights in the balance, I have dealt with in Xmases since my own diagnosis ten years ago.
 
AloeSvea said:
Yeah, roast turkey without the starchy veg, cold ham with mustard, beetroot and herring salad with sour cream.

I made the decision to be LCHF/Keto long term with two days off (Easter too was a big mistake! For obvious reasons) - Xmas Day feasting with family, and my birthday. But bear in mind, I was a hyper responder to exercise, and since becoming lame my blood glucose is now sky high. So. Experiment? Is what I always say. See what you can handle.

Also, something to consider over time is, having sugar when you have become unused to it and your body cannot deal with it well (ie diabetes) can give you a ill-reaction as stated above, I think. And one of the ways blood glucose problems manifest is in mood disodering, which is not good for feasting with family. (For me - bad temper) These are things, weights in the balance, I have dealt with in Xmases since my own diagnosis ten years ago.
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Yes i cut down on sugar but if I have a biscuit or a couple of sweets or something not eaten in a while I feel lousy I know the feeling with easter I tried felt lightheaded as I haven't totally stopped all sugar but have a little and do I feel rubbish if eaten wrong thing still learning
 
I was diagnosed in July 2023. Christmas 2023 for me was the same as you're feeling now. I didn't know what I was going to eat, or how I was going to survive it, so much so I started this thread:

Thread 'Ultimate (hopefully) Christmas Thread - Tips, Tricks, "Hacks", Coping Mechanisms, Swaps, Recipes - Anything goes!' https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/th...echanisms-swaps-recipes-anything-goes.198916/

The good news is there's loads of options for T2D people at Christmas.

With 18 months experience, here's the general approach I take now, whether it's Christmas or not:

- Ignore all promotional aisles in supermarkets.
- Ignore all TV advertising for supermarkets.
- Ignore all people in life who insist it's a time of year to treat yourself - they'll use any excuse to force carbs on you.
- Ignore anything that's "honey roast" or "maple cured".

Now, let's start you off with some snacks and treats. Here's a list I sent to relatives who were asking what they could get me:

M&S Cheese Clouds (available in M&S stores) -https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-cheddar-cheese-clouds-625222011 or https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-chilli-cheese-clouds-625223011

Cheesies (Some supermarkets also do these now) - https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/cheesies-cheddar-snack-6100139854

Olina's Bakehouse Seeded Crackers - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/olinas-gluten-free-seeded-crackers/829405-791235-791236

KP Steak Peanuts - https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/310165889

Aldi Fully Loaded Peanuts - Buffalo, Jalapeno, Salt & Vinegar.

Aldi Salt & Pepper Peanuts and Cashews.

Chika's smoked almonds - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/chikas-smoked-almonds/513400-442834-442835

Any pork crackling or puffs, but I particularly recommend:

Roberts Salt & Vinegar Pork Crackling (also available at some shops, e.g. Budgens, stockists can be found here - https://www.robertsdorset.com/stockists) - https://www.robertsdorset.com/shop/...per-pork-crackling-100g-pot-sea-salt-vinegar/

The Curators Pork Puffs -
https://groceries.asda.com/product/meat-snacks/the-curators-pork-puffs-original-salted/1000383225185

M&S Serrano Ham Crisps (available in M&S stores) - https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-spanish-serrano-ham-crisps-515561011

Ember Original Biltong (also in Tesco/Asda) - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/ember-original-biltong/888532-663326-663327

Ember Charcuterie Beef -

Jack Links Biltong - https://groceries.asda.com/product/pork-chicken-beef-snacks/jack-links-biltong-60-g/1000383216904

Jack Links Ham Snacks - https://groceries.asda.com/product/pork-chicken-beef-snacks/jack-links-ham-snack-25-g/1000383158495

Dark Chocolate:
- Green & Blacks 85%
- Aldi Moser Roth 85%
- Lindt 85%
- M&S Origins Peruvian 85%
- Asda Ugandan 85%
- Tesco Peruvian 85%
- Tesco Ecuadorian 75% (watch portion sizes)
- M&S Origins Ecuadorian 75% (watch portion sizes)

Beyond those, most non-marinated meats that aren't in sauces are fine.

Look at carb values for sausages, not all sausages are created equal when you have T2D.

Most bacon is fine, but avoid the maple cured stuff.

Don't eat beef jerky, it's full of sugar. Biltong is generally ok, but check carb content.

Fish - Mostly all ok, just watch out for anything with added carb sources.

Cheese - Generally, avoid anything with fruit added, but most other cheeses are good.

Nuts - Portion control is your friend here. Most nuts are fine, but all are morish and easy to over-indulge.

For Christmas dinner - meat, veg that doesn't grow below ground, portion controlled gravy. Anything else, check carb values and see.

I've got a load of low carb suppliers I can recommend too, but none will be able to deliver to you in time for Xmas so I'll leave them off the post for now.
 
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Mostly cheese this year with gammon, Lamb day after. Chicken new year.
My one digression is that I am making my own two small desert bowls of tiramisu with cherry. I'll take my b/s after the first on Christmas day and see what damage it has done.
Otherwise smoked salmon plenty of. Very careful there not to buy any with sugar in!
Merry Christmas one and all.:cool:
 
filly said:
Mostly cheese this year with gammon, Lamb day after. Chicken new year.
My one digression is that I am making my own two small desert bowls of tiramisu with cherry. I'll take my b/s after the first on Christmas day and see what damage it has done.
Otherwise smoked salmon plenty of. Very careful there not to buy any with sugar in!
Merry Christmas one and all.:cool:
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Thanks for your reply
Paul_ said:
I was diagnosed in July 2023. Christmas 2023 for me was the same as you're feeling now. I didn't know what I was going to eat, or how I was going to survive it, so much so I started this thread:

Thread 'Ultimate (hopefully) Christmas Thread - Tips, Tricks, "Hacks", Coping Mechanisms, Swaps, Recipes - Anything goes!' https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/th...echanisms-swaps-recipes-anything-goes.198916/

The good news is there's loads of options for T2D people at Christmas.

With 18 months experience, here's the general approach I take now, whether it's Christmas or not:

- Ignore all promotional aisles in supermarkets.
- Ignore all TV advertising for supermarkets.
- Ignore all people in life who insist it's a time of year to treat yourself - they'll use any excuse to force carbs on you.
- Ignore anything that's "honey roast" or "maple cured".

Now, let's start you off with some snacks and treats. Here's a list I sent to relatives who were asking what they could get me:

M&S Cheese Clouds (available in M&S stores) -https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-cheddar-cheese-clouds-625222011 or https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-chilli-cheese-clouds-625223011

Cheesies (Some supermarkets also do these now) - https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/cheesies-cheddar-snack-6100139854

Olina's Bakehouse Seeded Crackers - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/olinas-gluten-free-seeded-crackers/829405-791235-791236

KP Steak Peanuts - https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/310165889

Aldi Fully Loaded Peanuts - Buffalo, Jalapeno, Salt & Vinegar.

Aldi Salt & Pepper Peanuts and Cashews.

Chika's smoked almonds - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/chikas-smoked-almonds/513400-442834-442835

Any pork crackling or puffs, but I particularly recommend:

Roberts Salt & Vinegar Pork Crackling (also available at some shops, e.g. Budgens, stockists can be found here - https://www.robertsdorset.com/stockists) - https://www.robertsdorset.com/shop/...per-pork-crackling-100g-pot-sea-salt-vinegar/

The Curators Pork Puffs -
https://groceries.asda.com/product/meat-snacks/the-curators-pork-puffs-original-salted/1000383225185

M&S Serrano Ham Crisps (available in M&S stores) - https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-spanish-serrano-ham-crisps-515561011

Ember Original Biltong (also in Tesco/Asda) - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/ember-original-biltong/888532-663326-663327

Ember Charcuterie Beef -

Jack Links Biltong - https://groceries.asda.com/product/pork-chicken-beef-snacks/jack-links-biltong-60-g/1000383216904

Jack Links Ham Snacks - https://groceries.asda.com/product/pork-chicken-beef-snacks/jack-links-ham-snack-25-g/1000383158495

Dark Chocolate:
- Green & Blacks 85%
- Aldi Moser Roth 85%
- Lindt 85%
- M&S Origins Peruvian 85%
- Asda Ugandan 85%
- Tesco Peruvian 85%
- Tesco Ecuadorian 75% (watch portion sizes)
- M&S Origins Ecuadorian 75% (watch portion sizes)

Beyond those, most non-marinated meats that aren't in sauces are fine.

Look at carb values for sausages, not all sausages are created equal when you have T2D.

Most bacon is fine, but avoid the maple cured stuff.

Don't eat beef jerky, it's full of sugar. Biltong is generally ok, but check carb content.

Fish - Mostly all ok, just watch out for anything with added carb sources.

Cheese - Generally, avoid anything with fruit added, but most other cheeses are good.

Nuts - Portion control is your friend here. Most nuts are fine, but all are morish and easy to over-indulge.

For Christmas dinner - meat, veg that doesn't grow below ground, portion controlled gravy. Anything else, check carb values and see.

I've got a load of low carb suppliers I can recommend too, but none will be able to deliver to you in time for Xmas so I'll leave them off the post for now.
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Thanks so much some great suggestions will try these good to know people can help advice its so hard knowing what to eat and stay clear of great advice now I have ideas what to have Thanks Paul
 
First thing, I stand on the scales and remind myself how far I've come since I was 5 clothes sizes heavier.

I will treat myself to coffee with cream (usually drink it black) and might possibly accidentally slip a little brandy in it. It doesn't have to be much to be delicious. I have the option of one or two squares of very dark salted chocolate. I haven't had chocolate for three and a half years. Lovely husband has hidden it and will be in charge of quantity as I simply don't know how it will affect me and now is the time to find out.

I will probably have a very small amount of cheese or a plain Greek yoghurt during the day IF hungry, and if not hungry I won't bother. This is all about ME and MY health and I don't give a flying one what others are eating. If anyone (throughout the holiday) tries to thrust food on me that WILL do me harm, I will refuse politely the first time. If they get pushy well.....I can do passive aggressive like you wouldn't believe, as that is all about them not my welfare. I have a serious illness and the fact that I don't go on about it doesn't mean others can put me at risk just so they can feel better about the food THEY are eating.

We have our Christmas meal in the evening. Roast rib of beef. First course will be the usual tiny quantity of fresh nuts that I have every day and really enjoy. I will have lots of meat and diabetic-friendly veggies of several different kinds. Possibly one glass of red wine. I'm not a big drinker and prefer quality over quantity. After that I won't be hungry so won't eat anything else.

I shall feel thoroughly spoilt and my BG shouldn't suffer. Boxing day will be followed similarly, and after that, back to my usual keto regime. What's not to like??
 
mack76 said:
Thanks for your reply

Thanks so much some great suggestions will try these good to know people can help advice its so hard knowing what to eat and stay clear of great advice now I have ideas what to have Thanks Paul
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We've all been there, having that first whatever occasion it might be. It's daunting, I remember it so vividly and the stress that came with it.

I've had some challenges this year (not diabetes related ones, other stuff) and it's had some mental health impacts making it difficult when it comes to socialising in real life, plus online and on the forum here. However, I saw your post and wanted to reply, as your words reminded me so much of myself last year.

That's the amazing thing about this forum - whatever you're worried about, whatever issue you've got, loads of other people here have been through the same. There's always either a solution someone can suggest, or some inspiration you can draw from replies. It's a very special place here.

One last suggestion I forgot last night - bread. If you're looking for lower carb bread, that's available in a supermarket, Livlife is available at Waitrose - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/livlife-seriously-seeded-sliced-bread/428433-815596-815597

They're small slices, but they're only 3.8g carbs per slice (normal bread is 17g minimum), plus it's high fibre and high protein. Freezes and toasts well too, unlike some of the low carb breads you'll see online for twice the price or more. Honourable mention for Hi-Lo from Sainsbury's - https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/hi-lo-loaf - definitely worth a look too.
 
Paul_ said:
We've all been there, having that first whatever occasion it might be. It's daunting, I remember it so vividly and the stress that came with it.

I've had some challenges this year (not diabetes related ones, other stuff) and it's had some mental health impacts making it difficult when it comes to socialising in real life, plus online and on the forum here. However, I saw your post and wanted to reply, as your words reminded me so much of myself last year.

That's the amazing thing about this forum - whatever you're worried about, whatever issue you've got, loads of other people here have been through the same. There's always either a solution someone can suggest, or some inspiration you can draw from replies. It's a very special place here.

One last suggestion I forgot last night - bread. If you're looking for lower carb bread, that's available in a supermarket, Livlife is available at Waitrose - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/livlife-seriously-seeded-sliced-bread/428433-815596-815597

They're small slices, but they're only 3.8g carbs per slice (normal bread is 17g minimum), plus it's high fibre and high protein. Freezes and toasts well too, unlike some of the low carb breads you'll see online for twice the price or more. Honourable mention for Hi-Lo from Sainsbury's - https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/hi-lo-loaf - definitely worth a look too.
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Really is a fantastic forum everyone is really helpful and knowing other have had or are struggling is a comfort as im aware others struggle with different occasions and stresses thanks to everyone's reply I don't feel as down about it like I did not completely over it but I'm getting so many helpful people suggesting things so I'm not so confused now still be hard but come this far since march got hba1c from 99 to 51 last month
 
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