Supermarket safari

[Lulika]

Today I went to my local supermarket for the first time as a diabetic. I live in China, so there isn't really much in the way of "Western" foods to choose from. I can get the occaisional tin of whatever from the US or Australia, but nothing really very healthy anyway.
So I used to shop with a very gung-ho attitude, in with anything and everything into the shopping cart and off home.
Today, it took me two hours! I found myself reading labels (something I never did before) and looking at stuff that I wouldn't normally think of buying, but trying to work out if it would be good for the "new" me. I am exhausted!
I suppose that eventually you become used to knowing the sugar and carb values of things you buy....

Does anyone have any real favourite standby foods that they buy regularly? I discovered sugar and fat free jello today, got to try that!
This is so weird for me!

[doctordun]

I'm new to this also. The staple foods aren't too hard to get used to. I'm finding it hard to find a "desert" that I can live with. I have been addicted to eating chocolate for most of my life and now that's gone. I'm at a loss of what to eat and the craving get pretty intense at times.

[Lulika]

I agree...I love my sweet treats and chocolate ice cream and anything chocolate was my refuge from the wicked world!
Today I bought three things that I think might make a passable dessert. One, sugar free and fat free jello; two, sugar free and fat free instant pudding. And three, sugar free yogurt.
I made the jello this evening and it was ok...poured some of the yogurt on it and whilst it wasn't heaven in a dish, it was sweet and did manage to staunch my sweet craving.
The instant pudding looks food..and its chocolate flavour too!
Try them and let me know if you find any other desserts, please!!!

[morrisma]

The effort to read the labels will pay off but be careful - you are really looking at carbs, not sugar directly. The sugar-free products often have a good amount of carbs. Also, those puddings are great but if I remember, they have carbs by themselves and if you mix them with milk, you have a whole lot more. Not bad, but not "free". No matter what you eat, try to figure out how YOUR body reacts to it so that you can compensate.

BTW, Chocolate really isn't gone, just requires a lot of care and planning. Don't think of diabetes as "food jail", think of it as a really, really good reason to eat better!
Mike

[Lulika]

Thanks for your advice..I just went to look at the carbs on the jello and the puddings...
The jello has 0% carbs, so yay!! The pudding says 8% so I guess they will be an occaisional treat. and you're right..I must keep reminding myself that being D is now actually making me eat healthier than I ever have before!

[mzteacher]

hi,
by reading on this forum i have learned so much....the food part does get easier...luckily chocolate is not gone forever.... : )
a small aquare of dark chocolate is good to savor and eat slowly....some freeze them so it takes longer to melt in your mouth....there is a great little chocolate cake suzie posted on here... it is:
low carb chocolate cake 1-2 servings
1/4 c. finely ground almonds
1T. unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp. baking powder
5 pkts. splenda
2 T. melted butter
1 egg
mix all the above in a microwave safe cereal bowl. cover with plastic wrap and microwave 45 seconds to 1 1/2 min. her microwave takes 50 seconds mine takes 1 min. topped with sugar free whipped cream...
this is really yummy....i have tossed in a few walnuts and even a tablespoon of semi sweet choc. chips....i know a few more carbs with the chips...but fixed like that i would even serve it if i had company for dinner.....
some one else posted melting a little dark chocolate in the microwave(a square or two) with a dab of butter....then mix in sugarfree whipped cream....it gives more of a mouth feel of a lighter chocolate....very good and easy.....the more whipping cream you add the more like a chocolate mousse...
for a quick fix when i want just a taste of somthing sweet i will put a squirt of whipping cream on a spoon of peanut butter...reminds me of a peanutbutter pie....it works for me!
it will get better and you will find little treats that work for you! (and when you do find something...please post it!!)
good luck
susan

[orpy]

I have been living on sugar free jello. I put a tiny amount of cool whip (it's 3 grams per tablespoon carbs). The jello is 0 carbs. I love it. I too miss my chocolate. And my hot fudge sundaes.

[princesslinda]

Orpy, can you tolerate s/f jello pudding? I take it and mix in a little s/f Kool-Whip and pecans and freeze it...tastes a lot like ice cream. I haven't found a s/f chocolate syrup that tastes good to me yet, but i'm still looking.

Have you tried the Breyer's Carb Smart ice cream? The texture is not exactly the same, but the taste is quite good, especially the strawberry.

[orpy]

I haven't tried any low carb ice cream...I guess I didn't know there was any. I've eaten ice cream that is regular but comes in itty-bitty portions! Freezing jello sounds interesting. I am so hungry for my comfort food...it's very difficult trying to get excited about salad and jello while everybody else is having girl scout cookies and pasta and pizza...

Sometimes I get so angry...and sad at the same time. I've got a lot of years ahead of me trying to get by on lo carb food.

[soso]

I'm new to this also. The staple foods aren't too hard to get used to. I'm finding it hard to find a "desert" that I can live with. I have been addicted to eating chocolate for most of my life and now that's gone. I'm at a loss of what to eat and the craving get pretty intense at times.

take some 85% lindt choccy, melt slowly in a pan with some butter, mix in some chopped nuts and slowly add some heavy cream, mix til smooth, pour onto greaseproof paper and put in fridge til cool break and eat .. very low carb! add a bit of splenda if you want sweeter....

[doctordun]

take some 85% lindt choccy, melt slowly in a pan with some butter, mix in some chopped nuts and slowly add some heavy cream, mix til smooth, pour onto greaseproof paper and put in fridge til cool break and eat .. very low carb! add a bit of splenda if you want sweeter....

Now I have to find Lindt Chocolate. According to their website, the nearest place is 50 miles away. I'll check Walmart the next time I go by.

[princesslinda]

You can usually find Lindt chocolate at Walmart...or CVS believe it or not.

I really enjoy the Dove Dark Chocolate...I keep a bag in the freezer and when the urge hits, i'll have a couple of pieces...frozen chocolate melts very slowly and I feel like i've had more than I have.

If you've not tried the "Hood Calorie Countdown Chocolate Milk," its really good, sweetened with splenda, MUCH lower carb than regular milk, comes in chocolate and "white"...and has the "mouth feel" of "real" chocolate milk. I think its around 4 carbs/8 oz glass...you can check their website for more info.

[peacelover]

I remember those marathon shopping sessions! Some of my favs as I too used to have a huge sweet tooth! Believe it or not, after going low carb and sugar free, it does (mostly) go away!

On this website, you can order a lot of great food choices:
carbsmart.com
I have spent a lot of money and will give you my faves so far:
-carbrite brownies. really good and chocolaty!
-dixie cookies and cakes have been very gross!
-dixie granola is wonderful. my new favorite treat is mixing it with strawberries and low carb/sugar vanilla yogurt
-dixie pie crust. not nearly as good as a normal crust, but i now use it for my sugar free chocolate pudding pies with lite cool whip-i'm having it for my bday next week (1st diabetic bday)
-

breakfast items:
the only cereal i could really eat is kashi go lean or special k protein, however after a while i found there are more substantial foods that taste better. as i have high cholesterol as well, i wanted to eat oats, but i kept spiking. i finally tried steel cut oats and am amazed. they have like 25 carbs but i put cinnamin, splenda and blueberries in it every morning and never go over 85!

other desserts:
peanut butter cookies:
splenda, peanut butter and eggs (search internet for paula dean magical peanut butter cookies, i think for the exact recipe). i put a ghiardellos (sp??) 60% dark chocolate chip on top.

popcorn with either 60% dark chocolate chips or cut up square of Lindts (i like 85% best!)

Other foods:
specialty foods are hard to find, but I think soy pasta is big in Asia. I can eat a full bowl of it and never go over 88. it is much better than dreamfields pasta which is what is supposed to be good for diabetics. check the pasta sauce label because it is amazing the difference in sauces! some have very high sugar and some low. the lowest i found was a spicy red pepper with 5 grams of sugar and total 7 carbs.

any low carb wrap is good and usually easy to find. as for low carb bread i get Arnolds Carb Control. i have trouble always getting it in New York so who knows if you will come across it.

hope this helps a bit. i lived in australia (before being diabetic) and remember going to the grocery store and missing all the things i was used to eating! I have found that shopping in the organic section and the fruit, veggie, meat and dairy section is where I spend the majority of time. All the processed foods are usually full of junk that noone needs, especially diabetics that are into strict monitoring. However, you never know when you'll find something exciting that you love and can eat! It becomes sort of like a treasure hunt. good luck!

[doctordun]

take some 85% lindt choccy, melt slowly in a pan with some butter, mix in some chopped nuts and slowly add some heavy cream, mix til smooth, pour onto greaseproof paper and put in fridge til cool break and eat .. very low carb! add a bit of splenda if you want sweeter....

Sounds good. Do you have some proportions to use or just add the cream until it's smooth?

[Lulika]

Thank you everyone for your great tips..problem is, reading it all has made me feel very hungry for something sweet! I will definately try all your recommendations! =)

[matingara]

I'm new to this also. The staple foods aren't too hard to get used to. I'm finding it hard to find a "desert" that I can live with. I have been addicted to eating chocolate for most of my life and now that's gone. I'm at a loss of what to eat and the craving get pretty intense at times.

i have had no trouble finding all sorts of "No Sugar Added" chocolates here in Australia. I almost always have a row or two with a cup of tea at night for dessert.

i also eat "No Sugar Added" low carb ice cream with berries.

these have a negligible effect on my BGL and taste like the real thing!!!

-- Joel.

[matingara]

take some 85% lindt choccy, melt slowly in a pan with some butter, mix in some chopped nuts and slowly add some heavy cream, mix til smooth, pour onto greaseproof paper and put in fridge til cool break and eat .. very low carb! add a bit of splenda if you want sweeter....

Now that is a BRILLIANT idea! i eat Lindt 85% all the time - but never thought of this. i think i will try this soon! thanks!

-- Joel.