Holiday in the UK - food!

[Antje77]

I'll be visiting the UK for ten days early october so I thought to ask you what foods I definitely want to try!
Having so many locals on hand on the forum I would be stupid to not make use of your collective wisdom.

I'm looking for tips on supermarket foods as well as eating out in the cheaper segment.
And foods good to bring home with me as well.
Which supermarkets are the nicest? Or are they more or less the same?

I'll have a single camping cooker, a frying pan, a cooking pan and a small kettle. And a very small tent, no awning, so the ability to cook depends largely on the weather. Although I suppose I could still cook soup when it rains.
So ideas for easy (but tasty!) meals that don't need cooking are very welcome, but please add your tips for cooked meals as well, I expect it won't rain every day!

As for eating out, what are favourite places?
I'll be driving around roughly within the Harwich - London - Birmingham triangle, so specific small village places within that area are much welcomed.

I've never eaten a full English breakfast so I definitely need to try (minus toast and beans, and definitely not right after waking up), but where do you eat something like that? I'm not very experienced at eating out, not even in my own country so pretty much out of my depth here.

Should you happen to know a very nice small camping within that area, preferably with goats, chickens, guinea pigs, cows etc. or a nice view over a lake or such, tell me! So far I have only planned my first night so I can go wherever I want. The only thing I need in a camping is a spot to put up my tent and park my car, nothing fancy like electricity.

Any off topic tips on traveling in the UK, places to see, things to do are welcome too, derail away all you like!

 

[Deleted member 527103]

When my Dutch colleagues come to the UK, they always want to eat an Indian curry and, if you avoid the rice and naan, it can be reasonably low carb.
Unfortunately, I do not know the are you are visiting so cannot recommend a specific restaurant or take away but there is a large South Asian community in Birmingham so I know you will have a good choice in that area. Or, if you are in London, Brick Lane is THE Bangladeshi area (many "Indian" restaurants are run by people with a Bangladeshi heritage).

If you are looking for something that you do not have to cook and can nibble on in your tent, Britain has an amazing selection of cheeses. It would be difficult to recommend any as there are so many. But if you find a farmshop, they often have a good selection of local cheeses that you may not be able to find in a supermarket.

Talking of supermarkets, the main ones are Lidl and Aldi which you may be familiar with on the cheaper end; Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys and Coop in the middle; Waitrose and Marks and Spencer food halls are usually on the pricier side. That said, most have some sort of "budget" range although I always smile at Waitrose Essentials range which includes essentials such as avocados, baking parchment, laundry water softener tablets and halloumi.

Snacks are usually quite carby but if you can, I would encourage you to check out the British crisp (Americans call them "fries"). We have many many flavours with aisles of them in supermarkets. I enjoy Skips which have less carbs per bag (7.5g for a small bag) with a "prawn cocktail" flavour (at least that's what is says on the packet)

 

[Antje77]

Thank you, @In Response , exactly the kind of information I was looking for!

When my Dutch colleagues come to the UK, they always want to eat an Indian curry and, if you avoid the rice and naan, it can be reasonably low carb.

Oh, of course, Indian food! It's not common at all in the Netherlands (thanks to our respective colonial histories you have the Indian food where we have the Indonesian) so definitely need to try some and count on a lucky guess when it comes to dosing.

Skips sound great for late night snacking, my diabetes is much more forgiving at night, and the information on supermarkets is very useful too!

 

[Lamont D]

Well, in my opinion, I can understand that your base is because of your arriving in the South East of our realm.
The best places in England to visit, are the Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District, The Peak District. A d of course Scotland's geography is on par with the fjords. And not to leave Wales out of it, Snowdonia. All thexe, even Scotland is within a day's travelling. So don't just stay around as you are used to flat land! Ha!
Having visited a Chinese restaurant just outside of Arnhem, there should be plenty of south eastern Asia type food outlets.
If you are having a full English breakfast, you have to try the black pudding, which if cooked properly is delicious, make sure it comes with mushooms, grilled tomatoes.
There will be plenty to tempt you. Wherever you go. Some of the typical British food is bland and usually full on carb especially the deserts. Most pub foods are pre prepared. Even the salads.
Pub diet drinks are not low carb at all!
Most local foods are pastries or pies. Most sausage are not that low carb.
Hope you bring plenty of cash, the cost of food is getting ridiculous!

Enjoy your time here.

 

[Goonergal]

Hi there

A few thoughts from me. I’d avoid Brick Lane. I don’t like spicy food (and it doesn’t like me!) but those I know who do say the food there is overpriced and poor quality compared to that found elsewhere. From experience, you can be quite aggressively pursued along that street by restaurant staff seeking to up their numbers! If you’re after Indian or South Asian then some of the suburbs in Birmingham - Handsworth, for example - will be a lot better for cheaper, authentic food and easy to reach from the city centre.

For ‘on the go’ low carb supermarket options then Marks and Spencer is a stand out winner with their deli section - I suspect you may already have a list from the What Have you Eaten Today thread. Some branches have a rotisserie too, for cheap, hot takeaway food.

There are still some traditional pie and mash shops around, including a couple near places I know you’re heading to and I’d you’re able to bolus well for pastry, I'd recommend giving that a try.

And proper fish and chips, of course. Poppies in Shoreditch is pretty decent. Or try in a seaside town - might be some close to Harwich.

 

[filly]

If stuck at a Chinese some do Special Chop suey. No rice nor noodles. Larger than usual portion, plenty of veg with prawn, chicken and beef. So pretty safe.
Greasy cafes you can at least get a English breakfast as you need. Plenty of those along the A roads where the trucks stop. Should be a few between Harwich and Colchester.
Are you travelling by car?
There also plenty of smaller cafes that do really nice food. Can't give you any names as they allude me at the moment.
Best of luck.

 

[Resurgam]

I have a camper van so have the luxury of four burners at least, but have been a camper for a long time.
Lidl do various stir fry options. I tend to get frozen ones, defrost and cook gently then add some cooked chicken or other cooked meat, stir until warmed up. The Co-op or Tesco have some low carb sausages and there are packs of stir fry which go with them nicely.
I take a grater with me, always useful. Three large free-range eggs, scrambled and mixed with grated Red Leicester cheese is a quick and easy breakfast.

 

[Resurgam]

In Birmingham you are in the home of the Balti - that might be worth looking up. It is basically Bangladeshi but adapted, and even though I left the Midlands long ago I still have some Gharam masala curry powder - not the same tin, I hasten to point out, and use the same spices and herbs, again, fresh ones, and even the same dishes.

 

[Annb]

In most supermarkets you can buy small pots of ready made salads - some are mixed with pasta, but you can avoid those. If you can find a supermarket with a deli counter they should have a range of cheeses, cold meats and, perhaps hot, cooked chicken. Most will also have charcuterie in plastic packs but they are generally not as good as the freshly cut stuff from a deli. They will probably also have pots of things like egg mayo, hummus, taramasalata, olives and maybe pickled herring.

 

[Antje77]

Well, in my opinion, I can understand that your base is because of your arriving in the South East of our realm.
The best places in England to visit, are the Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District, The Peak District. A d of course Scotland's geography is on par with the fjords. And not to leave Wales out of it, Snowdonia. All thexe, even Scotland is within a day's travelling. So don't just stay around as you are used to flat land!

Sounds wonderful but I'm not very keen on driving lots, and I'm the one who has to pay for gas too, hence my sticking to a not too large part of the UK.
I'll meet with friends in both London and Birmingham so that made choosing the area to move around in easy.

If you are having a full English breakfast, you have to try the black pudding, which if cooked properly is delicious, make sure it comes with mushooms, grilled tomatoes.

Black pudding for breakfast - check! Won't leave the UK before having tried it.

If you’re after Indian or South Asian then some of the suburbs in Birmingham - Handsworth, for example - will be a lot better for cheaper, authentic food and easy to reach from the city centre.

Love spicy food, and I'll definitely do some shopping for Asian foods to take home as well.

For ‘on the go’ low carb supermarket options then Marks and Spencer is a stand out winner with their deli section - I suspect you may already have a list from the What Have you Eaten Today thread. Some branches have a rotisserie too, for cheap, hot takeaway food.

Marks and Spencer - check.
And no list yet, this thread is going to be my list!

and I’d you’re able to bolus well for pastry, I'd recommend giving that a try.

And proper fish and chips, of course.

Nope, not able to bolus well for pastry. Nor for chips.
Still, I might give it a try on a day I'm willing to spend the next 6 hours dealing intensively with diabetes.

If stuck at a Chinese some do Special Chop suey. No rice nor noodles. Larger than usual portion, plenty of veg with prawn, chicken and beef. So pretty safe.

Sounds perfect!

Greasy cafes you can at least get a English breakfast as you need.

Greasy cafes added to my to do list.

Are you travelling by car?
There also plenty of smaller cafes that do really nice food.

Yes, by car, very scary with the left driving.
Smaller cafes sound really good for food and company.

Lidl do various stir fry options. I tend to get frozen ones, defrost and cook gently then add some cooked chicken or other cooked meat, stir until warmed up. The Co-op or Tesco have some low carb sausages and there are packs of stir fry which go with them nicely.

Very good tip! I hadn't even thought of this because I always buy my veggies whole, but those ready to use stir fry veggies are perfect to use on the road.

In Birmingham you are in the home of the Balti - that might be worth looking up. It is basically Bangladeshi but adapted, and even though I left the Midlands long ago I still have some Gharam masala curry powder - not the same tin, I hasten to point out, and use the same spices and herbs, again, fresh ones, and even the same dishes.

In most supermarkets you can buy small pots of ready made salads - some are mixed with pasta, but you can avoid those. If you can find a supermarket with a deli counter they should have a range of cheeses, cold meats and, perhaps hot, cooked chicken. Most will also have charcuterie in plastic packs but they are generally not as good as the freshly cut stuff from a deli. They will probably also have pots of things like egg mayo, hummus, taramasalata, olives and maybe pickled herring.

I have a feeling those deli counters will become my best friend.
Buy something hot to eat then and there, and have deli cheeses and meats in my tent as a cold meal in the evening.

 

[Rachox]

Pub diet drinks are not low carb at all!

What makes you say that? They always have Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max or similar.

I love a full English cooked brekkie, I’m sure there’ll be a suitable Greasy Spoon in Brum where you could get one. I’ve recently tried black pudding, never liked the idea of it but tried some recently and it’s lovely!

Edit, PS don’t expect our mayo to match up to yours!

 

[Resurgam]

I was thinking - always dangerous - but Brum is level East to West with my old stamping grounds around Market Harborough.
When you leave Birmingham, if you travel East on the M6 you could cross the M1 at Catthorpe and visit Foxton Locks on the canal, then maybe travel through Market Harborough, where the canal ends - there used to be quite a good market there though that might have changed, maybe pause in Naseby, site of a battle in the civil war and then I think it is the A14 back West to the motorway.
It might fill up a morning before heading off towards the South again. It is the area which I always think of as being the essence of middle England, with chocolate box villages and churches with square towers built of golden stone dreaming of the days then it was a hotbed of illegal bibles rebellious agricultural workers and Roundheads and Cavaliers hacking or skewering each other on the field off battle or pursuing those fleeing for their lives along the narrow country lanes between ancient hedgerows.

 

[Antje77]

What makes you say that? They always have Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max or similar.

I never liked fizzy drinks anyway, diet or not so the chances of me ordering one are close to zero.

What I really need is a camping next to a pub, preferably with some musicians playing, so I can indulge in more than a single glass of beer and add a whisky or 3 to keep my BG level!
Anyone know some small village pub where you can camp as well?

Edit, PS don’t expect our mayo to match up to yours!

Got the hint (like 20 times over the past 3 years ), will bring you mayo!

 

[Antje77]

I was thinking - always dangerous - but Brum is level East to West with my old stamping grounds around Market Harborough.
When you leave Birmingham, if you travel East on the M6 you could cross the M1 at Catthorpe and visit Foxton Locks on the canal, then maybe travel through Market Harborough, where the canal ends - there used to be quite a good market there though that might have changed, maybe pause in Naseby, site of a battle in the civil war and then I think it is the A14 back West to the motorway.
It might fill up a morning before heading off towards the South again. It is the area which I always think of as being the essence of middle England, with chocolate box villages and churches with square towers built of golden stone dreaming of the days then it was a hotbed of illegal bibles rebellious agricultural workers and Roundheads and Cavaliers hacking or skewering each other on the field off battle or pursuing those fleeing for their lives along the narrow country lanes between ancient hedgerows.

Thank you!
Sounds like a perfect way to spend a couple of hours!

Is it true that many museums in the UK are free to visit, no entrance fee?

 

[Goonergal]

Is it true that many museums in the UK are free to visit, no entrance fee?

Yes!

 

[Antje77]

Yes!

That's amazing!

 

[AndBreathe]

ALL museums in Scotland are free (unless that has changed).
As for things to try, I'll just go for a few things, some low and some stratospheric carb levels.

For low carb -
Corned beef. Quality corned beef is delicious.
Pressed tongue - it's a marmite thing - I like it
Clotted Cream (actually, any of our creams)
Jersey cream milk
Eton Mess (provided you go light on the meringues)
Kerrygold, or unpasteurised butter


Carbtastic:
Scones
Mushy Peas (although they could creep towards the other section)
Faggots
Cornish pasty
Pork pie
Gala Pie
Spotted **** (no, I didn't make that up)
Bread and Butter pudding
Toad in the Hole
Haggis
Yorkshire Pudding
Dumplings

And take home a Dundee Cake and Christmas Pudding, because they last forever. Literally.

 

[DChes]

Correction: a bag of British crisps are called potato chips in America and while they have some flavours you won't get in the US, they are just as carb-full as any white potato product. One ounce is one serving of 15 carbs if there is not additional sugar added in the flavoring.

When my Dutch colleagues come to the UK, they always want to eat an Indian curry and, if you avoid the rice and naan, it can be reasonably low carb.
.....

Snacks are usually quite carby but if you can, I would encourage you to check out the British crisp (Americans call them "fries"). We have many many flavours with aisles of them in supermarkets. I enjoy Skips which have less carbs per bag (7.5g for a small bag) with a "prawn cocktail" flavour (at least that's what is says on the packet)

 

[DChes]

I was thinking - always dangerous - but Brum is level East to West with my old stamping grounds around Market Harborough.
When you leave Birmingham, if you travel East on the M6 you could cross the M1 at Catthorpe and visit Foxton Locks on the canal, then maybe travel through Market Harborough, where the canal ends - there used to be quite a good market there though that might have changed, maybe pause in Naseby, site of a battle in the civil war and then I think it is the A14 back West to the motorway.
It might fill up a morning before heading off towards the South again. It is the area which I always think of as being the essence of middle England, with chocolate box villages and churches with square towers built of golden stone dreaming of the days then it was a hotbed of illegal bibles rebellious agricultural workers and Roundheads and Cavaliers hacking or skewering each other on the field off battle or pursuing those fleeing for their lives along the narrow country lanes between ancient hedgerows.

I have a family member recently moved to Market Harborough. If you are on a budget, this is not the town for you to stay long, in general. Things were highly priced there, IMO.

 

[Antje77]

@AndBreathe , I just Googled spotted ****, faggots, pressed tongue, and toad in the hole so I'm bound to see some interesting advertisements in the next few weeks!
What is quality corned beef, I mean what form does it come in? I thought it only existed in tins resembling cat food?

I think I'll steer clear of most of your foods on the carbtastic list, appetising as they sound.
Diabetes is just too much work for me after such foods. Sticking to the lower carb options means more room and energy to enjoy my holiday without constantly having to pay attention to my diabetes.

I have a family member recently moved to Market Harborough. If you are on a budget, this is not the town for you to stay long, in general. Things were highly priced there, IMO.

No problem spending an afternoon there though, walking around and watching is still free!