Holiday carbs?

[cineman]

Hi everyone. Sorry to start a new thread, but I find if I just post elsewhere, then I don't normally get an answer. I would just like to post my latest results & ask one more question, if you all wouldn't mind?

I have lowered my carbs & the levels are beginning to come down, albeit slowly. I was getting 7.1-7.9 pre-breakfast (for some reason, after not having eaten for hours! Later in the day, my levels are way better at 4.5-5.8) & now I'm getting 5.2-6.3 pre-breakfast. I wonder if this could be down to having just opened a new pot of test-strips for my Wavesense JAZZ meter? Which seems to be one of the worst meters out there. As the moment I used one of those new strips, my levels went way down!

I find now that I am 'craving' carbs, as they all seem to be in my favourite foods. Though I did try some jam the other day & it tasted awful, way too sweet! So that's good, I see that potatoes seem to have the lowest carbs, so I have a few of those, although I just can't give them all up yet. I am currently having about 50-80 grams of carbs a day.

The question I would like to ask is this: I will soon be having about ten days in the Med on holiday & would like to ask what is best to do? We are all self-catering, but while out there, usually like to eat out most days. Is there anything you could recommend I stick to mostly while there (fish & meat for example), or should I just try to self-cater myself, with all healthy foods, while my partner eats out alone? (Well, I would go with her, but would just have a drink or salad maybe).

As the 'Mediterranean' diet is supposed to be healthy, I hope you will all come back & say "No, eat whatever you want", but I know you won't, as pizzas, pastas, oily bread with olives etc, etc, can't be good & must be stuffed with all manner of carbs. I also loved the cafe culture of 'coffee & cake' & as the coffees are really really tiny, they can't be bad, though I suppose my cake days are over?

Thanks once again, in advance of all your lovely, positive & helpful replies.

 

[Randburg]

@cineman
Hi,
You are going on holiday for a short time so my advice would be enjoy yourself, eat what grabs you, in moderation if you can.
If this leads to a increase in Blood Sugar you should not suffer to much damage over a short period, and go back to strict eating on your return.
Ive done this when im on holiday, and so far have had no problems. My Hba1c hardly increases either.( Type 2)
It is however your call
Enjoy yourself

 

[VinnyJames]

I think low carbing is a lifestyle choice.
However, enjoy yourself - just cut out processed foods and potatoes, pasta, rice.

I would guess that you are probably eating more carbs than you think from your post.

What have you eaten today and what would you say was the carb content?

 

[Phlogiston]

Your bloods don't sound too bad.
Enjoy your holiday. I will be facing the holiday eating dilemmas soon, but UK rather than the Med.
I will be focussing on the things I can eat - salad, fish, cheese, meat and skirting round the things I can't. Oily bread is absorbed more slowly than plain white, olives replace pure carb.
It may be that you have to leave some of the pasta on the plate - this is still my big challenge.
Best wishes
Adam

 

[Pinkorchid]

Well the Mediterranean diet came second in the list of the worlds healthiest diets so you should find plenty to eat there to suit your low carb eating If you like fish there should be a big variety to choose from there then there is meat cheeses olives etc and plenty of olive oil that you can have with a big salad and if you can't resist pasta and bread then maybe have just a small portion sometimes that will not do you any harm don't let stressing about diet ruin your holiday just enjoy it

 

[cineman]

Thanks very much all of you! Vinny, I am totally on top of my carbs at the moment. I am recording every single one that passes through the lips! Even from milk, artificial sweetener & yes, it is a surprise just how quickly it all mounts up. My problem stems from the fact that the only food I really enjoy, apart from almonds & pumpkin seeds & the like, is stuffed full of carbs! But I think I'll follow your advice Randburg & Phlogiston, as I thought it might be OK for a short eating break, as well as an actual one. I'd still like to know if anyone has any ideas on the difference between batches of test strips?

 

[Sirmione]

Test strips vary and different meters vary.
I have just come back from holiday in Italy enjoying 5 course evening meals and my BG levels were noticeable lower when I was away.

 

[Jo123]

I am still quite strict when I go on holiday, but to be honest it is quite easy in the med to eat out. I just ask for extra salad instead of chips and normally restaurants are happy to oblige. Lots of lovely grilled fish and meat, greek salads etc., take some almonds and pumpkin seeds for snacks. Plus a bonus is a bit more red wine lowers my levels!

 

[cineman]

We know a great fish restaurant where we go, but they don't half know how to charge! I must go there at least once though, their seabass is to die for (& hopefully not from). I love the idea of a bit more red wine! Thanks Jo123!