[emoji637]st time socialising since diagnosed

BPF

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I’m TD diet controlled

I’ve been doing a low carb diet so far and has worked wonders and I’ve lost about [emoji[emoji6]]lbs in [emoji6] weeks.

It’s my brothers [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]th at the end of the month and the family is going for dinner.

None of the options are low carb.

My question is, how much would one meal (no alcohol) likely to affect my next HBAc?
 

BPF

Member
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I’ve no idea what’s going on with my original post!

I’m type two diet controlled and have been doing a low carb diet and working hard to ensure my next test results is lower.

It’s my brothers fortieth at the end of the month and our family is going out for dinner.

There’s no real low carb option so my question is.

How much would one meal affect my next test results?

I’ve been working too hard to let one meal ruin it or am I completely over thinking and stressing for no reason?
 

Rachox

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If you can tell us what’s on the menu, we could try to help you pick the meal that’s best for you. Some would say one meal won’t hurt, but I’m not one of them! When eating out I am not shy asking for alternatives to pasta, rice, potatoes etc… I look at the menu and see what other ingredients are present and ask for instance for a portion of mushrooms in place of rice or a side salad instead of chips.
 

BPF

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If you can tell us what’s on the menu, we could try to help you pick the meal that’s best for you. Some would say one meal won’t hurt, but I’m not one of them! When eating out I am not shy asking for alternatives to pasta, rice, potatoes etc… I look at the menu and see what other ingredients are present and ask for instance for a portion of mushrooms in place of rice or a side salad instead of chips.

And this is my issue. I’m the fussiest eater ever, which is why a low carb diet has been a nightmare but worth it.

Pretty much the only thing on the menu is like would be a burger and chips.

I guess I could ask if they could ask them for a basic sausage bacon and poached eggs since they’d do this in their breakfast menu
 

KennyA

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I always ask for replacements and have only ever had a problem in one restaurant. Not going back there.

If needed - and it isn't usually - I usually say something like "I'm diabetic and I limit my carbohydrates. Can you replace X with Y please?"

On the wider question - one carby meal is not, really not, going to affect your HbA1c. The issue is whether having the first carby meal is going to make it more likely you'll find it harder to stick to your chosen path. I was pretty strict with myself in the first couple of years after diagnosis as I was so relieved the painful and annoying symptoms had gone I didn't want to risk them coming back. Made it a bit easier to duck carbs.

If you're testing before and after meals you should see what the immediate impact is of whatever you choose to have. Not having alcohol will give you a reliable result - alcohol slows down the liver releasing glucose, so you can get a lower post-meal result than the carbs in the food would warrant. I generally tend not to bother testing around meals with alcohol because the result is always skewed low.
 

BPF

Member
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I always ask for replacements and have only ever had a problem in one restaurant. Not going back there.

If needed - and it isn't usually - I usually say something like "I'm diabetic and I limit my carbohydrates. Can you replace X with Y please?"

On the wider question - one carby meal is not, really not, going to affect your HbA1c. The issue is whether having the first carby meal is going to make it more likely you'll find it harder to stick to your chosen path. I was pretty strict with myself in the first couple of years after diagnosis as I was so relieved the painful and annoying symptoms had gone I didn't want to risk them coming back. Made it a bit easier to duck carbs.

If you're testing before and after meals you should see what the immediate impact is of whatever you choose to have. Not having alcohol will give you a reliable result - alcohol slows down the liver releasing glucose, so you can get a lower post-meal result than the carbs in the food would warrant. I generally tend not to bother testing around meals with alcohol because the result is always skewed low.

100% not having alcohol. Attest until I have a better grasp of managing everything.

I’m at a point where I’m happy with myself, my weight coming down and like hell will I return to how I used to eat after seeing this change. It only took a life changing condition to open my eyes ‍♂️

So I know having one mean won’t send me back to my old ways as I’m determined to get my results down from an 81 to a somewhat ambitious 42 or lower haha so as long as it won’t affect that goal then I’m good with it
 
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Rachox

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I reversed my Type 2
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And this is my issue. I’m the fussiest eater ever, which is why a low carb diet has been a nightmare but worth it.

Pretty much the only thing on the menu is like would be a burger and chips.

I guess I could ask if they could ask them for a basic sausage bacon and poached eggs since they’d do this in their breakfast menu
Ok so if I was having the burger meal, I’d ask them not to give me the burger bun or the chips. I’d ask for low carb extras to go with the patties such as bacon and cheese. Then I’d ask for a side salad or other hot veggies in place of the chips.
 

JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
6,445
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I’m TD diet controlled

I’ve been doing a low carb diet so far and has worked wonders and I’ve lost about [emoji[emoji6]]lbs in [emoji6] weeks.

It’s my brothers [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]th at the end of the month and the family is going for dinner.

None of the options are low carb.

My question is, how much would one meal (no alcohol) likely to affect my next HBAc?
Usually, swaps are fine... I always ask whether it's okay if I'm a bit difficult. Sometimes a kitchen can't make adjustments because they're ran off their feet, -which happened only twice in eight years!- but more often than not, they really, really do not was to throw perfectly food out if they can help it. Personally, I leave things like chips, rice, bread etc off, and ask whether it can be replaced with whatever veg they've got, or salad. (If there are baked mushrooms with bacon, or a side salads on the menu, all the better! Do beware of dressing, ask for olive oil or a vinaigrette if you're iffy on what they might toss on there). Also, naked burgers, as in, without the bun, sometimes already end up on the menu. The last hotel I stayed at had really good meal options, all of them with fries... And after the second night they just finished my sentences for me: "No bun, no fries, extra salad, and you'll want a still water bottle with that, right? Coming right up!". Excellent steaks and very lush burgers, I was happy as a clam. I just make sure to ask politely, and more often than not, they're quite willing to work with you. If you're worried you might get stuck on the spot, it seems like you already know where you're going, so... Maybe put in an e-mail? I manage pretty well in general, but there was one Italian restaurant I really wanted to try, but I was completely lost going over the menu at home. I sent in an e-mail and since the owner didn't quite understand the question, he just deconstructed *every single meal on the menu*, so I'd know what was in it, and what were my personal no-no's. He really went the extra mile, and now we're regulars there. (And if they rock it like the Tutto Pepe restaurant, and the Tavistock hotel did, I tend to photograph the food, and put it up with a really good review on Google Maps, to give a little extra incentive to keep up the good work, and let them know the effort is appreciated).

No harm in asking, basically. And being well-prepared, or giving the kitchen a head's up before you arrive, is perfectly fine.
Have FUN!
Jo