Strategies for Christmas

[viviennem]

I hate to raise this topic now - far too early! - but a few of the newbies amongst us have mentioned the festivities and wondered how they will cope. I thought it might be worthwhile for some of the more experienced members to note down a few of their coping mechanisms to help the less experienced.

This is aimed mainly at Type 2s, but comments are welcomed from anyone

If it gets a good response maybe it could be stickied until after New Year?

Viv 8)

 

[IanD]

I do what I do all the year round - ask for a portion without the obvious carbs, & ask for fruit (if its tinned, without juice) with cream if available rather than xmas pud & custard.

No, thank you, to sweets & biscuits.

I never get given diabetic chocs since I starred in "Watchdog" 2 years ago.

 

[Otenba]

I'm just going to do what I usually do - pick what I fancy and then either weigh out the food and look up at least the per 100g carbs stuff or just educated guesswork (like I would usually do if I was eating out). Will give diabetic chocolate to someone else lol (though I hope most know not to bother with that stuff for me).

I hope everyone has a smashing holiday whatever they do!

 

[Patch]

For me - it's a case of not having the food in the house. Not practical if you have kids, or are entertaining - but it (kinda...) works for me.

I let myself go a little at Christmas when out visiting. Especially when I'm visiting my Mum - she sure can cook!!! :wink:

Stuff like cheese and biscuits is easy to cheat at. I LOVE it - but have to take it easy on the biscuits/crackers. Load up on the cheese, and break off a little biscuit/cracker to go with each mouthful.

I find the best way to deal with Christmas Pudding (cold - always cold!) and Cream, is to just make myself comfy on the floor, and wait to doze off quietly afterwards. The in-laws have a good laugh at that on Christmas night. :wink:

Bottom line is - if you can't let yourself go at Xmas, when can you? My coping strategy for this Christmas is to be as good as I can (within reason), then get back on the Optislim for 8 - 10 weeks at the start of January!

 

[Grazer]

I'll just have a normal Roast turkey lunch with a few less roast tatties, tons of pigs in blankets, homemade low carb ice cream with extra clotted cream, some of my low carb "almost bounties" from the Whitbyjet recipe, a few bottles of good Rioja and than fester in front of a rubbish film. About the same as most "normal" people at Christmas.

 

[Fencer]

Thank you for this thread... I'll be following this closely, as this will be my first Christmas with diabetes (well, second, but I didn't get diagnosed until after Christmas last year).

All my favourites; mince pies, christmas cake, christmas puddings...

The main worry I have is the ridiculous amount of tins Roses, Quality street, Celebrations, etc that find their way into our office.

 

[viviennem]

Carry a block of 90% proof choc, Fencer, so when the temptations overcome you you can at least have a bit of something low-carb!

I had one mince pie last Christmas - 2 hours later was 11.2, which was the highest I've ever had! So shop-bought mince pies are a no-no. I might make some with a low-carb pastry (WhitbyJet must have a recipe!) and home-made mincemeat (or shop-bought mixed 50/50 with chopped apple).

Fruit cake doesn't seem to bother me, but then again I never have much 'cos I don't particularly like it - except with Wensleydale cheese! Like Patch I shall have a little biscuit with my cheese! I shan't bother with anything like trifle. I shall buy a very small box of very special chocolates, hand-made locally, as my special treat.

I don't find a traditional Christmas dinner a problem - just eat a small portion of potatoes and one spoonful of bread sauce. Don't forget that parsnips are quite sweet (10.3g carb per 80g serving, according to my Collins Gem book). You can make a great herby stuffing using just low-carb sausage meat (skin some low-carb ones if necessary) and don't add any breadcrumbs. A bit of oatmeal might be okay mixed in.

It's much easier for me as I'm alone, so I don't buy what I can't eat! Don't imagine that I sit here sobbing into my dry sherry, though :lol: - I go to friends for Christmas dinner, which I think may be completely vegetarian this year - interesting! And probably higher carb than I'd like - but one meal won't kill me :wink:

As for drink - Blossom Hill California soft red wine. That's not an advert :lol: - I'm not leaving any for anyone else to buy!

Viv 8)

 

[phoenix]

Be prepared for people who prepare something specially for you. An elderly lady made 2 mince pies just for me. The difference? She'd left out the sugar sprinkled on the top!
The main course for Christmas dinner is just like an ordinary roast to deal with so for me, no problems
T1 or not I don't eat mince pies, Christmas pudd or cake. (not worth the insulin) I do eat very rich choc mousse, trifle made with no sugar jelly, real custard, rasberries and ameretti biscuits.

 

[WhitbyJet]

Ok,. here is my contribution to this thread - this is rather long, but I have enclosed links for you to see photos, if anyone would like me to translate any of these recipes send me a PM. I wont be cooking all this on my own, its team work, my sister and sister-in-law, we absolutely love doing this.

On Christmas Eve, we have German style Bratwurst with sweet & sour red cabbage and fritters (these are made from white radish and you simply wouldnt believe that they are not potato! >>http://lchf.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2803)

On Christmas Day, whatever we want for breakfast, and later its the whole show, roast turkey, with breadsauce and stuffing (I bake a low carb bread for this purpose), selection of vegetables and celeriac dauphinoise (>>http://shelikesherfood.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/celeriac-dauphinoise/) pigs in blanket and home made gravy using meat juices thickened with a small sppon of guar gum.

Instead of Christmas puddding we will have chocolate walnut muffins http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... ffins.html served with Drambuie soaked raspberries and chantilly cream.

Then its time for the dishwasher to do its job and for us to take the dogs out for a brisk walk. Lovely!

For the evening we have soup, probably red pepper and tomato, and I will be making a trifle = home made low carb sponge, sugarfree jelly, berries, good old fashioned home made custard and whipped cream.
None of us are keen on mince pie or Christmas cake, so its easy for us, I will be baking a selection fo biscuits here is an example >>(http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... trekk.html) and the kids and I enjoy making a selection of truffles, marzipan, coconut rum, orange....we have already got some Christmassy tissue paper and boxes as we usually give truffles or biscuits as little gifts. http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... trekk.html http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... kjeks.html http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... olade.html and the obligatory nuts and almonds and pistachios to nibble.

Visitors dont come to our house groaning 'oh no, not another mince pie' *LOL*

Boxing Day we are invited to someone elses house, the meal will be low carb and gluten free, as both husband and their daughter are diagnosed with celiac disease.
I strongly suspect we will be having a German style Sauerbraten because I have been asked to translate these recipes http://lchf.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31 ... ten#p62227 this is an interesting recipe, the meat needs to marinate for a minimum of 5hrs before its ready to cook. Anyway I might be wrong and we will be getting something completely different. I have been asked to bring a cheese cake with me so it will be either this one here >>http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2011/09/amerikansk-ostekake-med-blabr.html or http://lchf.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29 ... ilit=torte.

New Years Eve a big party at our house, we will have our uual cauldron of spicy goulash soup with bread rolls, http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... ykker.html I will do decorated cheese platters, with a selection of low carb breads http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/search/label/br%C3%B8d, bowls of pate and sandwich spreads all prettily decorated with radish roses, tomato roses, cucumber crowns, butter cut with cookie cutters, etc because I love 'faffing' around and want to create a feast for the eyes, I am a big kid and I love my family and friends! Cooked meats, platter of continental sausages and meats, little bowls of various stuffed olives, gherkins cut into fan shapes, little bowls of silver skin onions, dips, scotch eggs (low carb home made), fish platter (smoked salmon, trout, etc), couple of quiches made with almond crust, not decided yet on fillings and salads.
http://cdn.chefkoch.de/ck.de/forumuploa ... Party3.jpg
http://cdn.chefkoch.de/ck.de/forumuploa ... 0Party.jpg
http://cdn.chefkoch.de/ck.de/forumuploa ... Party1.jpg
for this link scroll down to see the funny things that you can do with eggs http://schlemmertour.blog.de/2010/03/01 ... n-8098876/

Not sure yet what to do for sweet, most likely this cake http://lchf-bloggen.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... efyll.html and little pots of lemon possett and champagne jellies ( Delia recipe)

 

[tigerlily72]

I hate to raise this topic now - far too early! - but a few of the newbies amongst us have mentioned the festivities and wondered how they will cope. I thought it might be worthwhile for some of the more experienced members to note down a few of their coping mechanisms to help the less experienced.

Viv 8)

What a great idea Viv - it's only about 8wks away! :lol:

I will be following this thread with interest.

 

[ebony321]

Christmas talk already!!!..

This sort of talk makes me hungry you know!!

Being Type 1 i can cover with insulin so probably get away with snacking more than most!

Maybe i should prepare right now to remind all my family and friends i CAN eat treats, i usually get showered with sugar free stuff..

The title drew me in... strategies!

My strategy is as follows;

When eating Xmas dinner - stock up on veg and turkey - less potatoes technically for me means more 'free' cake :wink:

When the xmas choccies come out - Grab a fair few of your favourites and stash them somewhere secret... this way you don't feel 'ripped off' when you feel proud of yourself for having one or two.. then when you go for the boxing day one or two chocs... the best ones are taken because your sisters are choccy monsters!

Clever presents - fun exercise presents.. last year i got michael jackson's just dance for the Wii... spent 4 hours learning every song and eventually learnt thriller in expert mode (check me out)... i just HAD to have a few treats... for the good of the BG's you see :wink:

Of course my post is full of jest, it is a good idea though, people who haven't yet had a diabetes christmas no doubt will pick up some great tips...

Here's one.. If you are a bit naughty don't beat yourself up.. Its christmas after all

 

[Fallenstar]

WJ, OXOXOX...some more lovely ideas Thanx

 

[wiflib]

Easy for me, I'll be working.

wiflib

 

[Fencer]

Easy for me, I'll be working.

wiflib

On Christmas?

 

[phoenix]

Not for most people, but I came across this that may be of use to someone
FESTIVE POTASSIUM UPDATE (for people on low potttasium renal diets)

http://www.edren.co.uk/media/download_g ... eK2008.pdf

 

[chocoholicnomore]

As a newbie I think this thread is a brilliant idea.
I am already dreading Christmas and all the sweets and chocolate I will have to miss out on for the first year ever. There are always loads of tins of roses, quality street etc at work
Whitbyjet's home sounds a great place to spend Christmas.Any room for gatecrashers?? :lol: :lol:

Seriously though I will be following this thread with great interest.

 

[wiflib]

Yes Fencer.

Hospitals, emergency services, hotels, restaurants etc etc. They all need staff.

wiflib

 

[Fencer]

Yes Fencer.

Hospitals, emergency services, hotels, restaurants etc etc. They all need staff.

wiflib

I know. Still, can't be nice for you `

 

[WhitbyJet]

Oh chocoholicnomore - I used to feel just like you do now about all those tins of chocolates in the office.
Then I read the list of ingredients, there really is a whole load of rubbish in these chocs, including transfats and we all know the damage they can cause to our health. Its cheap and nasty stuff, although Cadburys say on their website that they have started to reduce transfats, well not good enough for me.

Home made, hand made truffles, made with butter and coconut oil are totally yummy AND healthy, you need to re-educate your fellow office workers. I did, I took my own chocs with me, turned up my nose snootily saying 'I dont eat trashy chocs', oohh the looks I got but everyone was interested all of a sudden, they read the ingredient label, nearly everyone has heard of transfats, 'what do I need to eat all those colours added' one of them yelled, and so it went on, we only have handmade home made chocs in the office now and we know whats in them.

One staff member brought in home made turkish delight, low carb of course, made with gelatine and rosewater, covered in dark chocolate.

 

[Fencer]

Oh chocoholicnomore - I used to feel just like you do now about all those tins of chocolates in the office.
Then I read the list of ingredients, there really is a whole load of rubbish in these chocs, including transfats and we all know the damage they can cause to our health. Its cheap and nasty stuff, although Cadburys say on their website that they have started to reduce transfats, well not good enough for me.

Home made, hand made truffles, made with butter and coconut oil are totally yummy AND healthy, you need to re-educate your fellow office workers. I did, I took my own chocs with me, turned up my nose snootily saying 'I dont eat trashy chocs', oohh the looks I got but everyone was interested all of a sudden, they read the ingredient label, nearly everyone has heard of transfats, 'what do I need to eat all those colours added' one of them yelled, and so it went on, we only have handmade home made chocs in the office now and we know whats in them.

One staff member brought in home made turkish delight, low carb of course, made with gelatine and rosewater, covered in dark chocolate.

Interesting post, thanks.