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Treats! How often?

Sirzy

Well-Known Member
Messages
266
Location
Glasgow
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everyone,

I was just wondering how often other people have a 'treat' that will spike their blood sugar into a range that would be higher than would normally be acceptable.

At the moment I have fish and chips once a month, and this spikes me at 8.0, followed by a slow return to normal levels. I've been thinking of maybe having this twice a month, but not sure if I should just keep it as a monthly treat instead.

What about everybody else?
 
I only eat "treats" twice a year. On my birthday and my diaversary (anniversary of my diabetes diagnosis).
However, having said that, I am going to try fish and chips for my lunch today for the first time since being diagnosed as I am at the beach.
 
Don't usually have anything sweet as a treat and much prefer a takeaway like yourself, I don't do it that often now but when I do I'm in a better position to control the spike being a type 1 on insulin.

It's up to yourself how often you have a treat Sirzy, sticking with once a month will mean you'll look forward to it even more than if you were eating one once a fortnight!
 
I never did sweet things much so that's not a problem "treat" wise for me. I try and have a treat meal once per week so it might be a "low carb" takeaway or a roast dinner or a higher carb dinner of some description if I go out out for dinner at a family member etc. If I go out for a pub meal or something then I'll be conscious of carbs but not let it really spoil my choice. If you know you've really gone for it or want to go for it in a big way so long as you're quick enough a glass of wine or a G&T or two :wink: will stop most things so just make sure you're not the designated driver! I find alcohol will stop the spike but may leave yoru levels a bit but not dangerously raised the next day so it's a good incentive to be good again.
 
Hi everyone,

Maybe I'll stick with once a month so I'll enjoy it more and not feel too guilty!

xyzzy,

The opposite seems to happen to me when I drink alcohol, it doesn't stop the spike when I'm eating but it lowers my fasting bg the next morning. It's funny how we're all a bit different like that
 
Since diagnosis I have not had a treat per se. I did have a packet of potato crisps once, my sugar went sky high and stayed there for ages. I have never dared deviate from my diet since!
 

That's a crying shame about the alcohol!

Personally for me once a month isn't enough but I suppose it's down to how tightly disciplined each of us feels we need to be to get back on the straight and narrow the next day. I think that's probably more of the concern rather than that one or two meals a month will muck your levels up too much or do you permanent damage.
 
I think that's exactly right xyxxy, if I deviate from my diet too much, I then find it tough not to crave things all the time. A few weeks ago I start having a very small bowl of porridge with a dash of double cream before bed once or twice a week, my spike was below 6 and it didn't effect my fasting bgs, so I was having it as an occasional treat. But then I started having it every night, and I eventually had a huge bowl of it with loads of cream and a small sprinkling of sugar one morning, plus I started having terrible carb cravings which I haven't had for a long long time!! Needless to say, the porridge oats went in the bin after this little 'episode'!!
 
glucosegirl said:
I only eat "treats" twice a year. On my birthday and my diaversary (anniversary of my diabetes diagnosis).
However, having said that, I am going to try fish and chips for my lunch today for the first time since being diagnosed as I am at the beach.
Click to expand...

I had a very big fish and portion of chips whilst at the seaside on hols a few weeks ago, Idid not test for that day but all was well
 
As a treat last Saturday we decided to have fish suppers, I felt my hubby needed a treat more than me, anyhow I had a single fish and removed the batter and had 6 of hubby's chips, no tomato sauce but plenty of vinegar. I was absolutly fine, but I eat it all so fast it was over in no time, but I did so enjoy it enjoy your Indian meal!!
 
I don't do any high sugar/carb treats really - though I did eat the little chocolate that came with my coffee at the pub last night - but I don't think anyone saw.
 
A takeaway once a month sounds fine but if you up it to twice a month you'd end up wanting one weekly and falling off the wagon as it's human nature.
 
swimmer2 said:
I don't do any high sugar/carb treats really - though I did eat the little chocolate that came with my coffee at the pub last night - but I don't think anyone saw.
Click to expand...

Me neither, I am far to much of a coward, and would panic a LOT if my BG went anywhere near double figures.
 
I have indian takeaway once a week. With wine.

Don't really have massive carbs with it tho; i have something like chicken tikka shashlik, a couple of spoons of curry sauce and a couple of spoons of pilau rice.

I'm lucky cos I don't crave sweet things, although I occaisionally stick my head in the biscuit barrell for a sniff.

also live quite near McVities, the smell from there can be very nice but doesn't send me to the sweet supboard.
 
I'm just about going into 8 weeks since I've been diagnosed as Type 2 and while I was quite good with my carb and sugar control initially, I have been VERY BAD the last 2 weeks with justifying all sorts of treats.

On a daily basis over the last 2 weeks, I have allowed myself about 4-6 cubes of regular milk chocolate, some form of carbs (yesterday it was 4 slices of thin crust pizza!) and sometimes fruit that is "bad" (melons, for me). It is a slippery slidy slope and I have as much control as a greased pig on wheels.

At the same time, my BG levels seem to be under control (between 5.5 - 7-ish, with occasional 8s) and so I tell myself, "what is the harm in denying myself a treat?".

What I'd like to know is if there might be long term repercussions on my HBA1C tests and on my health if I continue to "treat" myself this way and if m BG levels remain satble??
 
Hi All.
Treat ??? not as often as I would like!
Learned to go without them, as to have them - just "undo's " all my hard work
and efforts. [sheer willpower n determination!]
Tell myself what I don't miss and taste , I 'learn' to love the taste of the good food LC only...
Mind over matter thing going on here!
Therefore no more yo-yoing with what I can/can't have etc...
Its just so much more simply EASIER in the longterm for me to stick to and with!
Keeps my numbers within range and hold steady .
Easier routine and less harder work [it feels like!]
Anna.
 
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