husband newly diagnosed

[louellen]

Does anyone have ANY suggestions on how to get a "meat and potato and Dr. Pepper man" to eat salads???

[RobiJo]

Does anyone have ANY suggestions on how to get a "meat and potato and Dr. Pepper man" to eat salads???

Throw some meat into the salad. I love a good steak salad. Oh and switch to Diet Dr. Pepper. It will taste different at first, but after a while, regular pop will seem so sweet he won't want it.

Welcome to DF! I'm sure others will be along shortly to give you some additional help.

[adiantum]

awww louellen, it can be done ;) try lots of 99% fat free dressings & eventually the salad tastes great .
I'm sure others will give suggestions as you have found a very friendly & informating group.
Welcome to DF :D

[Holly]

Waiting to hear suggestions. Mine thinks pasta/potato salad really IS a salad!

[volleyball]

Does anyone have ANY suggestions on how to get a "meat and potato and Dr. Pepper man" to eat salads???
Salads are not necessary.
He can become a meat and cauliflower and diet pepper man!

There are lots to eat, just don't eat lots.
I make a mean salad. Lots of vegetables along with meat, cheese and the crumbs from the bottom of the tortilla chips that someone else ate. A little lite italian dressing. It is so good. The meat and cheese help make it a real meal. the crumbs give it flavor and crunch.

[adiantum]

I dont get excited about a salad arranged on a plate, yet love a salad sandwich.
I use 97% fatfree mayo instead of butter, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, beetroot, onions etc with cheese but no meat.
Cauliflower is a great replacement of potato esp with parmesan cheese

[volleyball]

I feel fat free foods are not good for diabetics. They usually stuff carbs in there to replace the fat. carbs are worse than fat

[teleman]

Yeah it's the unaccounted for carbs that'll get ya.
Is he on insulin? Does he have other concerns like high cholesterol? No need to become a salad eater just because he's diabetic but as a former meat and potatoes kinda guy I can say salads have to have something to make them appealing and expanding the taste buds may be just the start to an enjoyable diet. Oh and definitely switch to Diet Dr. Pepper :D

[mortis505]

If I can do it, I'm sure that your husband can. I still eat meat, But I have also learned to enjoy salads either as a side, or even as a meal. And Diet Dr. Pepper isnt that bad. I'm drinking one now as a matter of fact.

Welcome to DF!

[BlueSky]

... try lots of 99% fat free dressings & eventually the salad tastes great ....
You really should have some fat with your salads. It improves absorption of the fat soluble vitamins A, E and K.

[HelenM]

I have been trying to get my father to eat some veg, hes not diabetic but has a very poor diet. He will eat non apparent veg as in a stir fry or fajitas. No salads though:(

[matingara]

awww louellen, it can be done ;) try lots of 99% fat free dressings & eventually the salad tastes great .

I agree with BlueSky. Avoid "Fat Free" wherever possible.

The full fat versions of things taste much better and are much better for people with BGL control issues (no hidden carbs).

also, they are much better for cholesterol and lipid control than these "fat free" demons!

:)

-- Joel.

[Jan B]

I feel fat free foods are not good for diabetics. They usually stuff carbs in there to replace the fat. carbs are worse than fat

Ditto

Once in a great while, fat free foods are also low in carbs (fat free cream cheese), but usually fat free means sugar full. Lable reading really pays off. I cut way down on carbs and don't worry about the fat, and I did not get fat! I used to think eating fat made you fat.

[davef]

louellen,

Why do you emphasise Salad? Would he go for meat and veg? I'm a confirmed carnivore and love things like stir frys, full of veg and enough meat to satisfy a meat eater. If you really want salads, well as has been suggested throw meat in with the salad. I always find adding meat, eggs, cheese to a salad make it far more interesting to eat.

[princesslinda]

If you want him to eat salads, have a small salad at the start of the meal...BEFORE you give him his "meat." I have found if I have a small salad with some type vinaigarette dressing, my blood sugars are better than if I skip the salad....I think due to the vinaigarette dressing, as vinegar does help with the post meal readings. Aside from this, it does help "fill me up" so I don't eat as much of the other food.

Its hard to change a lifetime of bad eating habits...I know this from experience. He may not mind the taste of Diet Dr. Pepper...its one of my faves as well.

I'd start with small changes. Have the salad on the table BEFORE bringing in the rest of the food.

That being said, if he really hates salads, you'll probably not change his mind. I'm that way with broccolli...I just can't eat it...in any form. Find some blood sugar friendly foods that he will enjoy and serve them instead.

The best way to know what he can tolerate is to have him check his blood sugar 2 hrs after his first bite, to see which foods are best for him.

Maybe he'd be receptive to checking out the forum as well? How long has he been diagnosed? Is he T1 or T2? On medication for diabetes?

Welcome, glad you found the forums.

[adiantum]

You really should have some fat with your salads. It improves absorption of the fat soluble vitamins A, E and K.

Thanks everyone re the fat free & a special thank you to Blue Sky. I always like the way you reply with facts.
as always ' I respect your opinion ';)

[art]

Prime Rib, Veggies and a beer.
He doesn't have to become a rabbitt.

The diet is esentially hi -protein.
Cut the carbs and leave the rest on the plate.
It's also about portion control..

Is he also on Lipitor?

Art

[jacobsam622]

Welcome to the df

[JoK]

Hi Louellen...

Does anyone have ANY suggestions on how to get a "meat and potato and Dr. Pepper man" to eat salads???

My man, recently diagnosed, is also a "bad" eater, and he is angry with the gods as he contemplates a life without his favorite things. He is a long-time dessert eater, and he knows he's going to have to get that under control. He doesn't like vegetables in any form, and he's going to have to work on that as well.

It's tough. And you can't really "force" him to do anything. He's going to have to eat what he eats. Adding fiber and vegetables might be a good start... How bad is his blood sugar now? My bf's is just above borderline, so we can really work on moving to new healthier habits without making huge changes overnight.

Good luck to him... and you!