BBQ invite - HELP!

I was in the same situation a couple of weeks ago. Mother in law's BBQ. I took round a few steaks and some frankfurters (enough for all) and stuck to just eating them plus some salad. steer clear of burgers and sausages and the potato salad. and no need to wait till it goes cold.

I don't know what type of insulin you're on and any suggestions I give only refer to fast acting insulin such as Novorapid or Apidra. Its really difficult when you don't really know how your body reacts to different foods.
An additional problem with barbeque food is that it can be quite low carb (though I was shocked to see the ammount of carbs in some British sausages when I looked the other day) but high fat. The fat in the meat slows the digestion of the carbs you might eat in potato/rice salad or bread. Smaller doses over a period helps cover this. (my pump has a special bolus type for this)
The first time I went to an event like that I didn't think and took some insulin and then had to frantically look for bread to feed the insulin. (an eigth (30gm) of a 250g baguette has 15gm carbs, check it out at home first as its a useful measurement even in the UK, though horribly high GI)
When on MDI I used to estimatie carbs as I went along and inject twice, occasionally three times during a very long meal.
I leave off bolusing until either I know I've eaten some carbs or I'm immediately going to eat some (if its gradual nibbles I'd do it after I've eaten some) and bolus again immediately before any dessert.It is a bit trial and error so I also test a couple of times to get an idea of whats happening.
Don't forget the effect of alcohol and insulin on BS. Don't drink without eating some carbs(doesn't have to be a huge amountof carbs)

Not much use in the short term but look at http://www.bdec-e-learning.com/ Its a type of online (free)DAFNE course by Bournemouth Hospital.

I know how you feel, when I came out of hospital I was also on a fixed carb/sliding scale dose regime but I had been told how many carbs to take for each meal so I had to carb count. There are lots of little books containing nutrtional info available. I also got some scales and weighed things until I got a good idea of how much so many grams was.I still weigh my porridge oats, bread, rice pasta etc. It wasn't very difficult to learn to take it a step further and teach myself to adjust the dose accordingly.

Back to your present problem, could you explain to your host and find out the menu in advance. Then you will know what type of carbs are likely to be available and work out how you can eat the approriate amount of carbs. (If theres nothing suitable you could always offer to take something )
Whatever you do don't eat far fewer carbs and take the same amount of insulin.

TROUBR said:

Hi I Have been invited to a BBQ and being new at this have no idea how to manage it as I know that they tend to space things out ove a few hours so no idea when they will eat etc. Do I eat before I go and then just pick at some salad, collect food on my plate and letting it go cold until everything has been cooked and then eat at the end, or not go!

Any ideas would be much appreciated. It is my sister in laws BBQ but the type of family they are there won't be any consessions made for my different circumstances - anyway I need to learn how to deal with things like this.

Thanks heaps

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Best bet is just to wing it (er, no joke intended). I'd say excuse yourself and do an injection half way through (based on whatever you've eaten and see getting cooked). Bear in mind that if it's all meat, it doesn't usually count.

When we go out for a meal I give my daughter an injection after the starters then again after desert. Just because of the length of times between cources. If your really concerned ask the host before hand to keep packets of bread rolls etc so you can carb count to give you a guide. What I did resently was get an average carb amount for finger roll and burger roll and didn't count anything else. As it was a one of i wasn't to concerned and corrected at next meal time if necessary.

Hi,
You may not like my answer but hear goes.
Do this family like you or not, if not just dont go.
If they realy want you at the BBQ say out loud I`M DIABETIC, IF YOU DONT ALLOW ME TO CONTROL WHAT I EAT YOU WILL PUT MY HEALTH/LIFE IN DANGER, OK. then ask if it would help there BBQ if an abulance arrived.
Sorry but it`s your diabetes as is mine not theres, nobody can tell you ignore it and it wont happen.

I agree with Graham55. If you had a nut allergy, no one would dream of feeding you peanuts. Diabetes is reeeeeally serious condition. Bout time people took it seriously.

Graham55 said:

Hi,
You may not like my answer but hear goes.
Do this family like you or not, if not just dont go.
If they realy want you at the BBQ say out loud I`M DIABETIC, IF YOU DONT ALLOW ME TO CONTROL WHAT I EAT YOU WILL PUT MY HEALTH/LIFE IN DANGER, OK. then ask if it would help there BBQ if an abulance arrived.
Sorry but it`s your diabetes as is mine not theres, nobody can tell you ignore it and it wont happen.

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How to win friends and influence people... :lol:

Friends who put me in hospital i dont need, and maybe influence people into just what Diabetes is just might be good, is that not what next week is all about?.
Anywhey what ever happend to RESPECT for ME.

Only stay away if that's what you really prefer (good excuse if your'e looking for one :wink: ). You need to learn how to deal with these situations, not lock yourself away for the rest of your life.
The suggestions already made about injecting as you go along are good. Ask for the packets, you could just say you need to know what carbs you're eating in order to balance your medication. How heavy you emphasise the risks of getting it wrong is up to you.
Sue

You have to socialise and one cant expect people to cater for diabetics. BBQs are great for low carbing if you are on modern synthetic basal/bolus. it must be **** if you are on the old mixtard type regimes. away and enjoy yourself. If type 2 like me, a wee bit of wine will help as well.

Troubr

Did you go to BBQ.
Hope it wasn't rained off and you have a good time.

When I eat out I take my novarapid immediatly after I've eaten the main course & Levemir before hand.

Having said that I've never been taught how to carb count even after all this time,(& I'd probably forget anyway!) so my BG levels nearly always end up sky high after a meal out anyway!
I'll check out that link, maybe it'll help....