All inclusive

I was a nurse til I retired in 2016 and worked on a ward which specialised in treating infections. I have vivid memories of diabetics with severe infections in their feet, even with gangrene setting in. That’s incentive enough for me not to stray, as I don’t want to follow in their footsteps, so to speak! It’s a bit drastic but you could always Google gangrenous feet images?

There's still plenty you can have. Meat, fish, veg, salads all washed down with red wine. Having diabetes and a bit of a phobia of amputation does seem to give me extra willpower. Relax my diet a little on holiday but don't go mad.

Pura Vida said:

I just don’t have the willpower ,how about you?

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I have managed quite well without being tempted by the food on offer on similar holidays. I'm going on a river cruise to Budapest in June and have mentioned my near vegan diet. They told me that one of the chefs will come to see me once I'm aboard. SOunds wonderful.

Food in the fridge is a different matter. Not so easy and just a couple of bits of bread have caused some issues with BG for days, not just on the next day. A days fasting seems to sort things out. My experiments with diet are still work in progress.

I feel like it's very hard to find food I want to eat when eating out. Usually staff are very good about making modifications and answering any questions you have. Just yesterday I was able to get my chips swapped out for extra salad at a restaurant!

Funnily enough I'm on an all inclusive break right now. There are plenty of low carb options. Fish and meat on the grill, salads and veg to go with and loads of cheese for pud!
Although if anyone did want to carb out - pasta, rice, pizza and chips also appear. As do too many cakes to mention a four types of ice cream.

We tend to go self catering where possible, mainly because we can then control what we eat and when.

Free stuff is always a temptation.

DCUKMod said:

As we're usually home-from-homing it, the all-inclusive menus are a moot point, but I was speaking to a friend the other evening at our local DUK meeting who had just come back from a Princess cruise, and he mentioned there was a sugar-free sweet trolley every night at dinner, so he was very happy, and couldn't believe how delicious the sweets were, without the sugar.

Of course, for all I know there may have been all sorts of other carb-tastic stuff in the desserts, but it seemed like a start to recognising sugar loading isn't for everyone, even on holiday.

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Recently on a cruise I ordered the sugar free pannacotta for dessert, it came with a pineapple pure and slice of pineapple! So they haven't quite got the hang of things. Best to stick with cheese.

I had no trouble in getting low carb at a hotel I stayed at per diagnosis.
My self inflicted breakfast plate was piled high with bacon eggs mushrooms tomatoes more eggs - and then I was OK until the evening when I just asked for anything there was in the way of protein and veges or salad - and looked trusting and hopeful. I usually got both salad and veges plus all sorts hidden underneath - I suspect to hide it from the chef as it passed under his eyes.

phdiabetic said:

I feel like it's very hard to find food I want to eat when eating out. Usually staff are very good about making modifications and answering any questions you have. Just yesterday I was able to get my chips swapped out for extra salad at a restaurant!

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Well done. Works for me sometimes; but, more often, asking for something low carb just does not compute.

Rachox said:

I was a nurse til I retired in 2016 and worked on a ward which specialised in treating infections. I have vivid memories of diabetics with severe infections in their feet, even with gangrene setting in. That’s incentive enough for me not to stray, as I don’t want to follow in their footsteps, so to speak! It’s a bit drastic but you could always Google gangrenous feet images?

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Indeed, or watch this Panorama documentary:

All-inclusive hasn't caused me a problem. If there for 2wks then try most things but small portions and only different treat (small) per night.
Extra meats and fish normally a filler. I've always loved my protein. I'd prefer more seafood than ice cream but that's just me.

Pura Vida said:

we spent 2 weeks at all inclusive resort last month my A1c rose considerably its tough to resist all the good food,
I just don’t have the willpower ,how about you?

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As a diabetic I'd say that all inclusive is the best option for holidays. Unless, of course, you are happy to self cater. In my experience trying to cobble together something half palatable with no basics, one ring, a pot, three forks and a chipped mug just wasn't worth the hassle.
I used to enjoy a week abroad, visiting the local sites and attractions, and really looked forward to an evening stroll to a local eatery.

After T2D diagnosis, and my first visit to a restaurant in the UK, I realised this, whilst still possible, would be far more complicated than before.

I was in Cyprus last year, and went to a small restaurant for lunch. The staff were lovely, and the food looked healthy. I asked about the menu, and was advised to try the mixed menu, with salad, yoghurt and a little bit of everything. Okay, I thought, might be something there I shouldnt eat, but I'll give it a try.
You can imagine how shocked I was when a plate with four neatly quartered portions consisting mainly of rice, pasta, potatoes and bread arrived. Next to it, a finger bowl of salad - one lettuce leaf and a slice of tomato. Did I mention the biscuits?

You get the picture. With all inclusive, you can look at what is on offer. Avoid the carbfest and still find plenty of safe, tasty food to enjoy.

Yes, there is temptation, but as a previous post mentioned, the idea of being blind or losing a limb tends to keep me in check.

There's an asian restaurant the next town over that serves rounds of japanese/chinese/mongolean and thai tapas... Five rounds where you can pick 3 dishes... I've eaten such big meals there I could hardly breathe, but left with such low bloodsugars I had to eat a few oreo's! Whenever there's the option to pick my own foods, it's so much easier to skip the carbs and stick with meats, salads, fish... I think an all-inclusive trip would be quite do-able for me. I love buffets! 100% control.

Alexandra100 said:

Indeed, or watch this Panorama documentary:

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Everyone who isn't good with their sugars (myself included) should watch this !!

snidge said:

Everyone who isn't good with their sugars (myself included) should watch this !!

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The memory of watching it once certainly motivates me. Though I had to look away each time the surgeon started in with the saw! I just wish the people who tell me diabetes is no big deal would watch it. Having said which, it doesn't give much idea about diet, apart from the fact that eating tons of chocolate is not too good for diabetics!

I think I'd be able to do the main food part, after what has been a steep training curve.

But not the dessert part. I don't have that kind of willpower yet.

So sad that so many suffer. I'm glad we have this forum to pass along our collective knowledge!