Diabetic Food Retailers In London

Hi reb....

The last thing you want to do is buy specialist Diabetic foods. They are usually high in carbohydrates and will not do you much good.

Just buy normal foods with due regard to the carb content. You will save yourself money too.

reb999000 said:

Dear cugila,

Thanks ever so much for your advice as I exercise a strong policy that I completely steer clear from fast food establishments, etc; cafes & restaurants are perfectly fine as long as I order the correct dishes. I have been advised by my Diabetic nurse to eat a standard size Mars Chocolate bar if my glucose level goes below 4.

Regards,

reb999000

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I suppose the advice will help you to get your Bg levels back up but very slowly. That is 'old school advice.'

The standard advice nowadays when in hypo territory is to take a 'fast acting' sugary drink or gluco tabs. As a T1 Hypostop (Glucogel) should have been prescribed as well. The drink or Tabs will elevate your Bg levels quickly. Test after 15 - 20 mins and when more normal then eat a small carby snack to stabilise the levels. THEN, a Mars Bar will suffice, slow acting but also longer acting.

I have been advised by my Diabetic nurse to eat a standard size Mars Chocolate bar if my glucose level goes below 4

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As Ken says, thats not normal advice today. Personally, a whole Mars bar would raise my glucose levels far too high but possibly not quickly enough.
Standard official advice is to use glucose (very fast acting) you can use tablets, liquid (lucozade), gel or 2 -3 teaspoons or 3 lumps of sugar if thats all thats available.
take 15g carb and wait 15 minutes, test, if blood glucose back to normal . Fine.
If it isn't and is rising only slowly repeat treatment.
If its a while to your next meal, then eat some slower acting carbs such as a small cereal bar, a fruit or a mix of protein/carb such as half a sandwich.
If driving wait 30 min before driving again, check bg level.
see :
http://www.library.nhs.uk/DIABETES/ViewResource.aspx?resID=59817


Now the confession,.Like most people I don't really like dextrose tablets, but they work very fast , and help stop you eating anything and everything when hypo. I always use them whilst exercising and if very low, but I I've found my own (nicer tasting) ways of dealing with mild lows, (such as the just under 4 you suggest) as I'm sure you will as you learn how much you need, and how ou own body copes with hypos.

Dear reb999000
I sometimes end up out with grand child at a time when lunch is required. Grandchild is 19 months and lunches early. I find Mc Donald's chicken salad ideal, with a bag of fruit. We share this. Amelie gets most of the fruit, Grandma gets most of the lettuce and we go fair shares on the chicken.
the only other place I've found what I and Grandchild both need, quickly and inexpensively is Pret-a-manger.
Hana