Type 2 Help! Public lunch

[Paule Foster]

Help - I’m going to a charity lunch today which I’m very nervous about. Diagnosed with T2 in June & have managed to get under control with lowish carbs, a Libre2 & medication. I’ve been to restaurants & pubs with family & a close friend but this will be the first time with lots of people I don’t know. I’d usually be careful what I choose/eat & have my phone open to track. How do you manage in public with a set menu? Pot luck? Any advice please? I’m not keen on announcing to everyone at the table I’m diabetic & deal with the usual questions all lunch Advice please lovely people!

 

[Margarettt]

Hiya
I've been in that situation a couple of times. Can you phone the venue before hand and ask what they are serving? There may well be a protein you can eat on the plate and just dodge afters. I once had food in the car just before I went in and just pushed food around on my plate. I find people pay far more attention to their plate than mine! You could discreetly let them know you have a special diet and asked to be served without sauce etc. These days most places are accommodating to a range of diets. I think you probably won't be as conspicuous as you imagine. There is always someone gluten free or counting calories or vegetarian.
Good luck

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Help - I’m going to a charity lunch today which I’m very nervous about. Diagnosed with T2 in June & have managed to get under control with lowish carbs, a Libre2 & medication. I’ve been to restaurants & pubs with family & a close friend but this will be the first time with lots of people I don’t know. I’d usually be careful what I choose/eat & have my phone open to track. How do you manage in public with a set menu? Pot luck? Any advice please? I’m not keen on announcing to everyone at the table I’m diabetic & deal with the usual questions all lunch Advice please lovely people!

Phone ahead of you can, and ask what the menu consists of. They'll happily adjust anything if possible, I'm sure, and be glad for the head's up. You can always cite some vague food sensitivity if you don't want to get into diabetes.

 

[Lakeslover]

I agree. I would treat it like a light meal, not my main meal. In my experience these things usually involve something like chicken breast with veg and potatoes. Unlikely to be pasta. Eat the protein and veg, leave the carbs refuse dessert unless there is cheese. If I’m out for a meal where everyone else is having dessert I will just ask for a coffee instead.
Worst case if it is pasta is just to say you don’t like pasta and ask if there is an alternative. If anyone asks just say you are not hungry, or you are going out for a meal later. But I bet no one will ask.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

refuse dessert unless there is cheese.

Maybe it is a language thing but I would "decline" the dessert.
Refusing it is more likely to make a scene than politely saying "no thank you" to the waiting staff.

 

[Outlier]

And eat something before you go out to the meal! Easier to dodge unsuitable food then, if people try to press you. But I have always found eateries to be very accommodating.

 

[Lakeslover]

Maybe it is a language thing but I would "decline" the dessert.
Refusing it is more likely to make a scene than politely saying "no thank you" to the waiting staff.

Yes, of course I would say no thank you, not “decline“ to a member of staff.

 

[lovinglife]

All great advice from others, To be honest just do you, don’t mention anything and just eat what you are happy to eat, I find people are too busy with themselves to notice what others are doing. If anyone does say anything, which if they are strangers I doubt they will, to avoid having to explain yourself just say you don’t like it. All this usually works for me

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Maybe it is a language thing but I would "decline" the dessert.
Refusing it is more likely to make a scene than politely saying "no thank you" to the waiting staff.

Or just state the food was so good you're absolutely stuffed and don't have room for more than a coffee. Everyone loves a compliment.

 

[Paule Foster]

Thank you all the good advice- it was chicken veg & potatoes (which I left) & just went straight for a coffee instead of pudding -I told the waitress I was too full so it was fine. Everyone was too busy talking to notice I think. Anyway confident to go out again. Now I just need to discrete to scan my Libre sensor during dinner!

 

[Belzedar]

Some good advice from knowdiabetes, and it works for Type 2s, not just the Type 1s.

1. Choose low glycaemic index foods
2. Choosing the right insulin at the right time
3. Add food barriers or split up meals
4. Consider taking a walk or being active after a big meal

I'm not sure what the convention is here regarding links so I included a screengrab that includes the URL for anyone who want to see the full article.

 

[aylalake]

Thank you all the good advice- it was chicken veg & potatoes (which I left) & just went straight for a coffee instead of pudding -I told the waitress I was too full so it was fine. Everyone was too busy talking to notice I think. Anyway confident to go out again. Now I just need to discrete to scan my Libre sensor during dinner!

I have a Christmas dinner coming up so I feel your trepidation.
You don’t need to physically scan your Libre (assuming it is a 2 or 3). It automatically reads every minute and shows the reading on your phone app. Keep the app open and pretend to be checking the time or for a message.

Edit: I note you use the Shuggah app - problem solved!