1. Get the Diabetes Forum App for your phone - available on iOS and Android.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Guest, we'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the Diabetes Forum Survey 2021 »
    Dismiss Notice
  3. Diabetes Forum should not be used in an emergency and does not replace your healthcare professional relationship. Posts can be seen by the public.
    Dismiss Notice
  4. Guest, stay home, stay safe, save the NHS. Stay up to date with information about keeping yourself and people around you safe here and GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19). Think you have symptoms? NHS 111 service is available here.
    Dismiss Notice
Free Forum App Feedback Reminder COVID-19: stay safe
Dismiss Notice
Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community »

Chip shop chips

Discussion in 'Vegetarian Diet Forum' started by lechiffre1969, Mar 23, 2021.

Page 1 of 2
  1. lechiffre1969

    lechiffre1969 Type 2 · Active Member

    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    23
    I know, I know...not good, but hear me out.

    I was diagnosed in January 2021. Had a very high HbA1c reading of 126. Had my second set of bloods taken today. On the day of my diagnosis, my blood glucose level was 26 mmol. Today, 2.5 months later it's 7.5 mmol. I've lost 1.5 stone in weight and feel fantastic. I'm eating very healthily.

    We're due to go away for a short break to the seaside when we get out of lockdown. There's a renowned fish and chip shop on the seafront - we go there every year - there's always huge queues outside the shop - the chips are sensational! If I were to have a small portion of chips (and nothing else) what damage could I do to my progress? I will categorically not deviate from my new diet in any other way - it's just 1 portion of chips and nothing else.

    Thoughts and comments greatly appreciated.

    thanks,
     
    #1 lechiffre1969, Mar 23, 2021 at 6:44 PM
  2. Brunneria

    Brunneria Other · Guru
    Retired Moderator

    Messages:
    21,796
    Likes Received:
    35,039
    Trophy Points:
    298
    Go for it. Enjoy. It is an experience you can’t replicate at home, so you are unlikely to fall headfirst off the wagon into drifts of chips every night for the next year.

    I hope they live up to your expectations, but I have a teensy little suspicion that they won’t quite be as good as you expect/remember
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    #2 Brunneria, Mar 23, 2021 at 6:49 PM
  3. Andydragon

    Andydragon Type 2 · Moderator
    Staff Member

    Messages:
    1,817
    Likes Received:
    2,683
    Trophy Points:
    198
    I have fish and chips reasonably regularly. They spike my bloods and they stay elevated into the next day. But treat every now and again hasn’t impacted my weight loss or overall hba1c

    I can tolerate more carbs though than some. I also do sone cardio (exercise bike) to help

    So... for me a one off treat makes life worthwhile,
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    #3 Andydragon, Mar 23, 2021 at 6:53 PM
  4. TriciaWs

    TriciaWs Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    759
    Likes Received:
    442
    Trophy Points:
    123
    It does depend on your usual blood sugar level at the moment, how much carbs spike you, and what risk you want to take. And maybe eat some fish with them, without the batter?

    Last time someone forgot and bought fish and chips for me I ate 6 chips and pulled most of the batter off the fish. It hurt but I put the rest straight in the bin so I wouldn't be tempted to eat more!
     
    • Like Like x 2
    #4 TriciaWs, Mar 23, 2021 at 7:12 PM
  5. TriciaWs

    TriciaWs Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    759
    Likes Received:
    442
    Trophy Points:
    123
    You are lucky in being able to eat more carbs.
    But having a reasonable HbA1c (ie the 3 month average) does not mean the OP's long term health would be OK if they routinely were to raise their blood sugar as it is the spikes that lead to nerve damage (including eyes).
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
    #5 TriciaWs, Mar 23, 2021 at 7:16 PM
  6. Mr_Pot

    Mr_Pot Type 2 · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,116
    Likes Received:
    1,892
    Trophy Points:
    178
    Do you have any scientific evidence that it is spikes rather than sustained high levels that do the damage?
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    #6 Mr_Pot, Mar 23, 2021 at 7:23 PM
  7. lechiffre1969

    lechiffre1969 Type 2 · Active Member

    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    23
    Ah, thanks! It's the experience. You're absolutely right. It's not really about the food. I've proved over the course of nearly 3 months that I can turn my situation around. I've recently celebrated a big birthday - albeit in lockdown, and I had not one item that veered off the programme! Whether the chips will taste different? I'll find out and let you know!!
     
    • Like Like x 4
    #7 lechiffre1969, Mar 23, 2021 at 8:20 PM
  8. lechiffre1969

    lechiffre1969 Type 2 · Active Member

    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    23
    I agree - a one off. It's sometimes the small things that make our predicament a little more bearable.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    #8 lechiffre1969, Mar 23, 2021 at 8:21 PM
  9. Mbaker

    Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,934
    Likes Received:
    8,704
    Trophy Points:
    178
    I have seen the evidence, but don't have the links - it is the reason the damage level is set at 7.8 mmol/L (this was mainstream, not low carbers).
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    #9 Mbaker, Mar 23, 2021 at 9:11 PM
  10. Mbaker

    Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,934
    Likes Received:
    8,704
    Trophy Points:
    178
    The reasons I would not do this are the chip fat will be oxidised and you will not know how many times it has been re-used. Chips are just potatoes sliced up and cooked in veg oil, which were one of the things that got me my Type 2. Before I eat something I metaphorically ask what the affected organs would say if they could speak, chips would serve my brain only.

    Now that's me, diabetes did a number on me to the point of obsessive testing and many anxieties. Also I find it easy to switch off from past foods as a personality trait and to meet my goals.

    If you will be happy with your choice, then you only have to answer to yourself.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    #10 Mbaker, Mar 23, 2021 at 9:27 PM
  11. Mbaker

    Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,934
    Likes Received:
    8,704
    Trophy Points:
    178
    Found a Doctor referencing damage at 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L):

     
    #11 Mbaker, Mar 25, 2021 at 11:04 AM
  12. Geordie_P

    Geordie_P Type 2 · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    633
    Likes Received:
    519
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I doubt that a small portion as a one off will have much overall effect. If you could do some walking immediately afterwards, or maybe go up a decent set of stairs, it might help as well. I'd probably just enjoy my chips if I were you, then go back to the regular routine.
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
    #12 Geordie_P, Mar 25, 2021 at 12:03 PM
  13. TriciaWs

    TriciaWs Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    759
    Likes Received:
    442
    Trophy Points:
    123
    I was stating this in relation to having a low HbA1c result - that can look fine but if it is the average of spikes and low BS rather than ongoing BS in range then it is not a good result.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    #13 TriciaWs, Mar 25, 2021 at 1:08 PM
  14. Mr_Pot

    Mr_Pot Type 2 · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,116
    Likes Received:
    1,892
    Trophy Points:
    178
    I agree. I thought perhaps you had some evidence that a short term spike, caused by say the OP's chips, might cause some damage on its own rather than just contributing to an overall level.
     
    #14 Mr_Pot, Mar 25, 2021 at 1:24 PM
  15. bobrobert

    bobrobert Type 2 · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    410
    Likes Received:
    275
    Trophy Points:
    123
    Sprinkle liberally with vinegar. Vinegar will help to keep your blood sugar levels low
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
    #15 bobrobert, Mar 25, 2021 at 1:29 PM
  16. searley

    searley Type 1 · Moderator
    Staff Member

    Messages:
    1,314
    Likes Received:
    494
    Trophy Points:
    143
    I treat every now and then will do no harm

    I’ve always talked to my care team and they have always said a little treat at the like of Easter or Christmas is nothing in the long term.. you are on holiday have a little treat enjoy it

    I doubt it would even show on a hba1c as this is a 3 month test

    I’m sure there are some that will disagree with me…. But I thing you and your partner should be able to share a bag of chips on holiday and be happy
     
    • Useful Useful x 1
    #16 searley, Mar 25, 2021 at 6:39 PM
  17. lechiffre1969

    lechiffre1969 Type 2 · Active Member

    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    23
    Thank you for this. It's a 2 mile walk afterwards back to the house so I can walk them off! Thanks for your useful and supportive comment.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
    #17 lechiffre1969, Mar 26, 2021 at 7:54 AM
  18. ziggy_w

    ziggy_w Type 2 · Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,950
    Likes Received:
    8,514
    Trophy Points:
    198
    Hi @Mr_Pot,

    This web page might be helpful. It is the bloodsugar101 website by Jenny Ruhl and lists several studies that look at the damage from blood sugar spikes (even at non-diabetic levels): https://www.bloodsugar101.com/organ-damage-and-blood-sugar-level

    Hope this is what you were looking for.
     
    #18 ziggy_w, Mar 26, 2021 at 8:32 AM
  19. EllieM

    EllieM Type 1 · Moderator
    Staff Member

    Messages:
    3,546
    Likes Received:
    1,982
    Trophy Points:
    198
    As an insulin resistant T1 I find chips are a bit like kryptonite. A "small portion" can be a lot of chips so maybe count out the chips and reduce it to ten?
     
    #19 EllieM, Mar 26, 2021 at 8:51 AM
  20. EllieM

    EllieM Type 1 · Moderator
    Staff Member

    Messages:
    3,546
    Likes Received:
    1,982
    Trophy Points:
    198
    And for future reference, whatever number of chips you choose to have, do a before and after blood test so you know how well your body tolerates them.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    #20 EllieM, Mar 26, 2021 at 8:54 AM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2
Style
Red
Language
English (UK)

  • Meet the Community

    Find support, connect with others, ask questions and share your experiences with people with diabetes, their carers and family.

    Did you know: 7 out of 10 people improve their understanding of diabetes within 6 months of being a Diabetes Forum member. Get the Diabetes Forum App and stay connected on iOS and Android

    Grab the app!

  • Tweet with us

  • Like us on Facebook