Pasta and Italians

[Johnjoe13]

Just seen something on the telly about Italian food and remembered that besides having navigate through my first Christmas as type 2 and Allllllllllllll the food choices and carb adding i'll HAVE to flaming do, I've been invited to a meal next week at Bella Italia as well.

So my question is does anybody know any Italian folks with Diabetes and how they manage to eat any pasta at all? I mean do restaurants and eateries dish up vials of insulin and tablets of metformin for starters if you are diabetic? I'm sure there are other foods over there besides pasta but really what do they eat as an alternative and does it not restrict them and stop them enjoying their food

 

[Resurgam]

Can you contact the restaurant and ask if they can do low carb dishes or variations?

 

[douglas99]

Normally an easy choice.
I don't go for low carb, I just eat a balanced mediterranean diet, so I can eat sensibly when I go out.
I go to places where low carb isn't an option a lot of the time, so you really need to decide on your lifestyle choice now, if you can't do this meal out, simply refuse it and stay in?

 

[lovinglife]

Lots of lovely things to eat at Bella italia- just swerve the breads that come with them - antipasta, steaks, a lovely salmon salad link to menu below for you - look through it and make your choices at your leisure before you go

https://www.bellaitalia.co.uk/menu/main-menu/

 

[asparagusp]

The answer will be no. Pasta tends to be the second course so skip it and have the third which will ne a meat or fish dish. The first course will be antipasti, either vegetables or salamis and cheeses. Buon Appetite! https://www.bellaitalia.co.uk/menu/main-menu/ A lot of pasta and pizzas I see .....

 

[asparagusp]

if you can't do this meal out, simply refuse it and stay in?

I suggest too that you suggest changing the venue.

 

[douglas99]

I suggest too that you suggest changing the venue.

So, where to?
What venue would you suggest for an office party?
Or do you think it's for someone else to find?
Because I don't low carb, because there isn't anywhere mainstream I can suggest.

 

[asparagusp]

Not my problem and I don't know why it is that you are asking. Looking briefly at the food on offer, the original poster has choice at Bella Italia. There is no need to eat pizza and pasta or change venue.

 

[douglas99]

I suggest too that you suggest changing the venue.

Not my problem and I don't know why it is that you are asking. Looking briefly at the food on offer, the original poster has choice at Bella Italia. There is no need to eat pizza and pasta or change venue.

Ok, can't argue with that can we.

 

[MikeTurin]

Initially misread for Biella, and I was suggesting some typical food, like the Maccagno cheese or the Paletta ham.
Then I've seen the link.
You could try
Insalata caprese, Mixed Italian Olives, Sirloin Steak, and some salads that are looking to me more italian-like.
Or if you like to go with pasta, seems to me that the most Italian-like is the Pomodoro or Beef and Red Wine Ravioli.

The trick to eat pasta, for me is, to eat before a big salad, with lettuce, fennels, some olives, tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, and so on with some vinegar ad a little olive oil.
The normally I use wholrgrain pasta or fresh pasta with eggs (ESPECIALLY with bolognese sauce) and a a simple sauce, so not things like butter and parmesan, carbonara creamm and ham, but tomato sauce, or tomato and meat sauce, or eggplants and so on. The I go to eat some steamed vegetable like spinach with rabbit or chicken oe even some beef.

Anothe winter choiche is Agnolotti or Ravioli in broth. With lost of broth.

 

[Johnjoe13]

Lots of lovely things to eat at Bella italia- just swerve the breads that come with them - antipasta, steaks, a lovely salmon salad link to menu below for you - look through it and make your choices at your leisure before you go

https://www.bellaitalia.co.uk/menu/main-menu/

Mmm so I can keep it simple and eat meats & fish with salad and maybe a wee bit of bread perhaps, though I suspect any sauces will be sugary, probably not as much as in jars you buy but will still have some in

 

[Jaylee]

Just seen something on the telly about Italian food and remembered that besides having navigate through my first Christmas as type 2 and Allllllllllllll the food choices and carb adding i'll HAVE to flaming do, I've been invited to a meal next week at Bella Italia as well.

So my question is does anybody know any Italian folks with Diabetes and how they manage to eat any pasta at all? I mean do restaurants and eateries dish up vials of insulin and tablets of metformin for starters if you are diabetic? I'm sure there are other foods over there besides pasta but really what do they eat as an alternative and does it not restrict them and stop them enjoying their food

Hi,

Yes I have Itallin ancestory. (Long story. Involves a musician gigging round the UK & "knocking up" my great grand mother.. )
I don't do pasta.. However? Why not ring the venue, briefly explain (we've all been there whatever type D.) pasta, pizza (all the carby stuff.) "turns your guts". & ask what the alternatives are.. They will want to keep your custom..

 

[lovinglife]

Mmm so I can keep it simple and eat meats & fish with salad and maybe a wee bit of bread perhaps, though I suspect any sauces will be sugary, probably not as much as in jars you but but will still have some in

Yep - a bit of advice ask for sauces on the side and ask for things without the accompanying carbs such as bread, breadsticks, croutons etc - remove the temptation- and enjoy your evening I always say it's about the company your in not the food and everyone will be too busy enjoying themselves to bother what's on your plate

 

[asparagusp]

Also the restaurant in question is not the real McCoy ie it's been Anglicised and there might be better real Italian independent restaurants in central London.

 

[douglas99]

Pizza-r-us?
Pasta-4-u?

Or back to the op to find their own solution if there is nothing helpful coming their way?

I love real italian, but it's carb heavy, and very unsaturated fat!

But easy to manage for a proper meal, as you say.

 

[Jaylee]

Also the restaurant in question is not the real McCoy ie it's been Anglicised and there might be better real Italian independent restaurants in central London.

True! I used to eat at an Italian in the "Roman city" of Bath (Aquae Svlis.) the waitress there was hot. But she was from Canada... Lol, she still never convinced me to have the pizza....

 

[asparagusp]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsore...g/11958191/italian-restaurants-in-london.html - but probably expensive!

The bottom line there is more to Italian food than just pasta and pizza!

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

@Johnjoe13 can you just clarify the city this venue is located..?
There is life outside Laaandaaan! & there are three chains of this restraint near me in "Brizzle". (Bristol.)

Thanks...

 

[bulkbiker]

Just seen something on the telly about Italian food and remembered that besides having navigate through my first Christmas as type 2 and Allllllllllllll the food choices and carb adding i'll HAVE to flaming do, I've been invited to a meal next week at Bella Italia as well.

So my question is does anybody know any Italian folks with Diabetes and how they manage to eat any pasta at all? I mean do restaurants and eateries dish up vials of insulin and tablets of metformin for starters if you are diabetic? I'm sure there are other foods over there besides pasta but really what do they eat as an alternative and does it not restrict them and stop them enjoying their food

Bella Italia simple..
Mushrooms in a creamy sauce for starter and chicken salad for a main just ask for no croutons..
The sauce may be slightly dodgy but for one meal no prob.

 

[himtoo]

Italian food need not be carb heavy

antipasti misto ( cured meats , olives , artichokes )
insalata mista ( mixed salad )
fiori di zucchini ( courgette flowers )
Insalata caprese ( buffalo mozzarella and tomato )
bistecca ( beef steak ) alla fiorentina is preferred ( T Bone )
zuppa minnestone ( vegetable soup )
cipolle e tonno ( tuna and onions )
carabaccia ( cabbage soup )
formaggi ( cheeses )
frutta di stagione ( fruits of the season )

as advised earlier in this thread -- phone ahead and ask what options they can offer -- they will want your custom.

buon appetito !!


edit -- forgot to add one of my favourites -- arista di maiale ( roast pork ) -- YUM !!!