Chip shop chips

lechiffre1969 · Mar 23, 2021

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,

Brunneria · Mar 23, 2021

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

Andydragon · Mar 23, 2021

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,

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,

Deleted member 475901 · Mar 23, 2021

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!

Deleted member 475901 · Mar 23, 2021

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,

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).

Mr_Pot · Mar 23, 2021

TriciaWs said:
as it is the spikes that lead to nerve damage (including eyes).

Do you have any scientific evidence that it is spikes rather than sustained high levels that do the damage?

lechiffre1969 · Mar 23, 2021

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

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!!

lechiffre1969 · Mar 23, 2021

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,

I agree - a one off. It's sometimes the small things that make our predicament a little more bearable.

Mbaker · Mar 23, 2021

Mr_Pot said:
Do you have any scientific evidence that it is spikes rather than sustained high levels that do the damage?

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).

Mbaker · Mar 23, 2021

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 · Mar 25, 2021

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).

Found a Doctor referencing damage at 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L):

Geordie_P · Mar 25, 2021

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,

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.

Deleted member 475901 · Mar 25, 2021

Mr_Pot said:
Do you have any scientific evidence that it is spikes rather than sustained high levels that do the damage?

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.

Mr_Pot · Mar 25, 2021

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.

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.

bobrobert · Mar 25, 2021

Sprinkle liberally with vinegar. Vinegar will help to keep your blood sugar levels low

searley · Mar 25, 2021

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,

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

lechiffre1969 · Mar 26, 2021

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.

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.

ziggy_w · Mar 26, 2021

Mr_Pot said:
Do you have any scientific evidence that it is spikes rather than sustained high levels that do the damage?

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.

EllieM · Mar 26, 2021

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 · Mar 26, 2021

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?

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.

Chip shop chips

Active Member

Guru

Well-Known Member

Deleted member 475901

Guest

Deleted member 475901

Guest

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Deleted member 475901

Guest

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency