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Chip shop chips

L

lechiffre1969

Active Member
Messages
25
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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,
 
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
 
lechiffre1969 said:
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,
Click to expand...
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,
 
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!
 
Andydragon said:
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,
Click to expand...

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).
 
Brunneria said:
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
Click to expand...
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!!
 
Andydragon said:
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,
Click to expand...
I agree - a one off. It's sometimes the small things that make our predicament a little more bearable.
 
Mr_Pot said:
Do you have any scientific evidence that it is spikes rather than sustained high levels that do the damage?
Click to expand...
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).
 
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.
 
Mbaker said:
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).
Click to expand...
Found a Doctor referencing damage at 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L):

 
lechiffre1969 said:
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,
Click to expand...
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.
 
Mr_Pot said:
Do you have any scientific evidence that it is spikes rather than sustained high levels that do the damage?
Click to expand...
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.
 
TriciaWs said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
lechiffre1969 said:
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,
Click to expand...

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
 
Geordie_P said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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?
 
EllieM said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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