Socialising & Going Out

Rita16

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello everyone. As a long-standing type 1 diabetic (50yrs +), i was wondering how those of you who have your diabetes more or less well controlled cope when you go out to pubs & coffee shops? I am fortunate to have been able to retire recently and it is vital for me to go out more & meet friends, family, etc, or just go out & enjoy having a meal by myself; but any good control of my diabetes that i may have at home goes out the window when i eat & drink out. What are other diabetics' experience?
 

Jaylee

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
18,662
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

For me it depends on the type of night or even day out?
I tend to be designated driver if it’s me & my wife. Probably drink spirits or a glass on wine when we get home..
Coffee shops.
I take mine black & don’t do cake..

Whatever I do I always carry hypo treatment with me incase of a crash. Or the meal gets delayed in a busy eatery?

Have a happy retirement. No one should be held back from socialising..
 

grantg

Well-Known Member
Messages
278
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
needles, bloods sampling, infact most medical stuff which usually result in panic/anxienty attacks :(
usually order smaller plates or ask for half size portions (if they say no... ask for a kids menu) then ask to replace likes of chips with salad.
I've also checked with the waiter for the estimated time food would be ready then 10-15 minutes before due, check again (incase been any delay) before inject insulin. If you keep to foods that work well at home for you might be worth doing that when eating outside although i realise that for some the whole point of eating out is to try new things, perhaps add 1 newer thing at a time Share Plates can be a thing at some places where you would portion it out yourselves after being given large platters between 4-5 friends/family :)

ps for someone relatively new i also will carry scales if unsure of portion size and ask for an empty plate (to weigh before hand). :)
 

Rita16

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
usually order smaller plates or ask for half size portions (if they say no... ask for a kids menu) then ask to replace likes of chips with salad.
I've also checked with the waiter for the estimated time food would be ready then 10-15 minutes before due, check again (incase been any delay) before inject insulin. If you keep to foods that work well at home for you might be worth doing that when eating outside although i realise that for some the whole point of eating out is to try new things, perhaps add 1 newer thing at a time Share Plates can be a thing at some places where you would portion it out yourselves after being given large platters between 4-5 friends/family :)

ps for someone relatively new i also will carry scales if unsure of portion size and ask for an empty plate (to weigh before hand). :)
Indeed, the whole point of me going out, apart from to be with people, is to get away from the monotony of always eating "the diabetic way" at home. I guess i'm having a bit of diabetic burnout creeping in too. Being a spontaneous person and hating routine, a lovely creamy cappuccino in a nearby café can make my day - and send my BG spiralling, as my novorapid won't act quickly enough to deal with it. And meals pose an even greater challenge...
 

grantg

Well-Known Member
Messages
278
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
needles, bloods sampling, infact most medical stuff which usually result in panic/anxienty attacks :(
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becca59

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,083
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I go out and enjoy myself. It isn’t every week so I don’t get hung up on it like I did some years ago. I look at menu’s on line before I go and make my choice. I will then have a rough idea of carbs and insulin required.
I then inject a small part of the insulin when we have given our order. Take some more when the food lands in front of me. Then make an adjustment a little later, either with a jelly baby or more insulin if needed.
I drink soda water, black coffee and never anything sweet. Just enjoy my main meal and good company. Tomorrow is another day to be stricter.
 
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