Eating Out

[TechKnowBabble]

Wow...I guess no one is eating out. :hmmmm: Well I was wondering what kinds of things people eat when they go out. I was thinking grilled chicken or fish with veggies would be good. For fast food chicken sandwiches without the roll. Any suggestions?

[Cinnabon]

Nikki...
I do!!!!... lol.
Being on a pump allows more flexibility, but one lil gadget I will highly reccomend that you get, is a lil book known as "The Doctor's Pocket Calorie, Fat, & Carb counter" It is an awesome listing of foods and a lot of restaurant guides, inc. fast foods. I carry it w/ me. Its about $7. The 2006 version is probably out or about to come out. I love it.

[TechKnowBabble]

I just recently bought this book....

http://store.diabetes.org/products/product_details.jsp?JSESSIONID=DOHdgRXjwDroxigjWCk rWn2lu3grFEN68RueDbeBzVeC0QjFyf2p!-95716913!-1407451110!7005!8005&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441763614&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395181116&bmUID=1133381469812

It appears to have a lot of information as well.

[Cinnabon]

Cant seem to get your link to work. I know T1 and T 2 are a bit different, but I would watch my carbs and test while you try out the different foods. You will have a much better idea as to how you react to them.

[am1977]

I think you have the right idea :idea:. Order things that are low in fat and watch the carb content...sometimes a HUGE challenge in a fast food place. Another good thing to order would be a nice salad (w/ dressing on the side), soup, and then a lite entree. The salad and/or soup take the edge off your hunger and make it less likely that you will overdo your main meal :eating:

Enjoy! :biggrin:

[TechKnowBabble]

I have already taken some information from websites that had the calories, fat, carb, fiber & sugar content of foods from numerous fast food and other restaurants. I put all the information I could in my Blackberry (PDA) so I will know what my choices are if I would be in a situation that I would be eating out without advance planning. I think Taco Bell will be out for a while, I didn't really find much that did have high carbs OR a ton of calories / fat.

[duck]

I have already taken some information from websites that had the calories, fat, carb, fiber & sugar content of foods from numerous fast food and other restaurants. I put all the information I could in my Blackberry (PDA) so I will know what my choices are if I would be in a situation that I would be eating out without advance planning. I think Taco Bell will be out for a while, I didn't really find much that did have high carbs OR a ton of calories / fat.

I think you'll find like most of us have (the hard way) that Mexican, Pizza and Chinese can do quite a number on you, even when you have done everything right. There are numerous reasons for it, but in general these classes of foods are tough to deal with as a diabetic. I find it amusing that any serious athlete in training avoids these three foods as well. Weird, huh?

[TechKnowBabble]

I think you'll find like most of us have (the hard way) that Mexican, Pizza and Chinese can do quite a number on you, even when you have done everything right. There are numerous reasons for it, but in general these classes of foods are tough to deal with as a diabetic. I find it amusing that any serious athlete in training avoids these three foods as well. Weird, huh?

Since you mentioned Chinese....what about it's 'close' neighbor Japanese? My boyfriend and I love sushi. Since it wouldn't be a LARGE volume of white rice, should that be ok? Normally we eat California roll (crab, cucumber, avocado) and I was wondering about that.

[valc3]

Since you mentioned Chinese....what about it's 'close' neighbor Japanese? My boyfriend and I love sushi. Since it wouldn't be a LARGE volume of white rice, should that be ok? Normally we eat California roll (crab, cucumber, avocado) and I was wondering about that.


I love sushi too. White rice causes my bs to sky rocket. You may be able to, the best thing to do is test 2hrs after you eat. You'll find with diabetes, what works for one, doesn't work for the other.

[TechKnowBabble]

I guess I'll wait on the sushi until I get my testing equipment

[JediSkipdogg]

We have to watch what we eat? I guess I never really have because I don't want a disease to control me at all. When I was on MDIs I would not eat sugar items, but I never really mattered on the carbs/fats. Now taht I'm on the pump I don't limit myself to anything. I do my best calculations when I eat, and the correct later if needed.

[sydneya]

:thumbsup: I love to eat out. :eating: But I stay away from fast food places. It's hard to find low carb, low fat at the fast food around here. I usually order fish or chicken and extra grilled veggies instead of potatoes. That is when I am really good. :- When I'm only mediocre good, I'll go with prime rib. Actually some fast food places have excellent salads now. And they all will give you a nutrition values pamphlet so you can check out the carbs and fat grams. :thrasher: But if I'm going out it's a celebration so I still would prefer non fast food.
:dito: And I am in agreement, Mexican, Chinese, and Italian do me damage. Jananese isn't so bad if you only eat sushi, but the rice and tempura is not wonderful for me. Rice because of the carbs, tempura because of the oil. And if I go to a Japanese place I have to have the tempura. No self control is my middle:frown: name.

[duck]

Since you mentioned Chinese....what about it's 'close' neighbor Japanese? My boyfriend and I love sushi. Since it wouldn't be a LARGE volume of white rice, should that be ok? Normally we eat California roll (crab, cucumber, avocado) and I was wondering about that.

I think you'll agree with me that sushi is nothing like General Tso's Chicken, Egg Foo Young or Sweet and Sour Pork--with rice.

I had sushi for dinner tonight, actually. I tolerate it well, but I am also a Type 1 on a pump with MUCH sushi experience :eating: ; I can literally eyeball white rice and guess exactly how much carb I am dealing with and take the correct amount of insulin.

It gets a bit trickier for Type 2, but sushi is not forbidden. Hopefully, you'll be able to eat it and deal well with it. You're on the right track inasmuch as getting a meter and testing...AND TESTING A LOT. I am on record here stating that "you" Type 2's are given horrible advice about testing. In my opinion, you need to test aggressively like a Type 1--Blood sugar highs will kill you as fast as it will kill a Type 1, yet doctors are lax about testing regimens for Type 2's.

Having said that, testtesttesttesttesttesttesttesttesttesttesttestte sttesttest and get a feel for how different things affect you. Get your "normal" routine down, and then start adding back in the spices of life. You'll find like I have that some things are just not going to work (I have basically given up on Chinese food, it just makes me feel like poop even if I get my sugars under control after eating it), but as far as I can tell, non-diabetics come to the same conclusions about different foods and food items in their lives as well.

[TechKnowBabble]

that I'm a little depressed that my favorite foods are going to be a big no-no for me. I love Chinese and Mexican food, Italian following close behind that. I'm in a blue mood today feeling very 'poor me' I'd kill for a Coke.

[duck]

that I'm a little depressed that my favorite foods are going to be a big no-no for me. I love Chinese and Mexican food, Italian following close behind that. I'm in a blue mood today feeling very 'poor me' I'd kill for a Coke.

There are selections at a chinese restaurant I can choose that doesn't seem to put a whammy on me, but like I said...later I still feel like ****, so I'm at the point where I ask myself why bother? I stopped eating at Mickey D's under any circumstance over a year ago for the same reason. Basically, I asked myself "if someone came to me and said 'here, duck, swallow this stuff--it tastes okay, but in an hour your bowels will feel like they are melting and in about two hours you'll get acquainted with a toilet'..." Would I swallow that ****? No, so why eat at McDonalds? Chinese is beginning to edge into that categeory for me.

[Penny]

that I'm a little depressed that my favorite foods are going to be a big no-no for me. I love Chinese and Mexican food, Italian following close behind that. I'm in a blue mood today feeling very 'poor me' I'd kill for a Coke.

One thing I have figured out is maybe it is better to give in to a small craving....like, have a litttle Coke. When I don't, I end up nibbling all day, trying to make up for the craving. Most of the time, after a little bit of the "forbidden" food, it doesn't taste as good as I thought it would and I don't overindulge in it. This method usually works without causing too much havoc with my BS.

[TechKnowBabble]

There are selections at a chinese restaurant I can choose that doesn't seem to put a whammy on me, but like I said...later I still feel like ****, so I'm at the point where I ask myself why bother? I stopped eating at Mickey D's under any circumstance over a year ago for the same reason. Basically, I asked myself "if someone came to me and said 'here, duck, swallow this stuff--it tastes okay, but in an hour your bowels will feel like they are melting and in about two hours you'll get acquainted with a toilet'..." Would I swallow that ****? No, so why eat at McDonalds? Chinese is beginning to edge into that categeory for me.

Completely understandable. I think I'm going to try to stick to Chick-a-fila, Wendys and maybe Burger King. I was shocked when I read the nutritional information for these places, for some even JUST a hamburger patty, no cheese, no condiments, no bun is TEAMING with fat. UGH...and just a little over a week ago I was forcing it into my body.

[sheish]

I'm mexican, you know, and I try not to indulge that much with my mom's cooking ( mostly because of the fat. Corn tortillas and beans are good fiber sources and we mexicans eat lots of that ) I love chinesse and when we eat there, I just have coffee and a slice of toast as supper so my BG won't go crazy the next morning. I also love sushi, but I don't have it often and I do the same as with chinesse. Fast food... Mc Donald's now have salads and grilled chicken sanwiches, but if you want a burger and fries, ask for a kid's meal ! seriously. You don't have to eat the big super size burger. Or just cut the burger in half and pack the rest for the next day. Burgers are microwave friendly. Wendy's has a real good baked potato and Jack in the box has salads too. I haven't find a way ( yet ! ) to compensate for pizza but what the heck, a slice now and then won't kill us. :laugh:

[TechKnowBabble]

I'm mexican, you know, and I try not to indulge that much with my mom's cooking ( mostly because of the fat. Corn tortillas and beans are good fiber sources and we mexicans eat lots of that ) I love chinesse and when we eat there, I just have coffee and a slice of toast as supper so my BG won't go crazy the next morning. I also love sushi, but I don't have it often and I do the same as with chinesse. Fast food... Mc Donald's now have salads and grilled chicken sanwiches, but if you want a burger and fries, ask for a kid's meal ! seriously. You don't have to eat the big super size burger. Or just cut the burger in half and pack the rest for the next day. Burgers are microwave friendly. Wendy's has a real good baked potato and Jack in the box has salads too. I haven't find a way ( yet ! ) to compensate for pizza but what the heck, a slice now and then won't kill us. :laugh:

There are a lot of choices out there now....unfortunately my mouth keeps telling me I want the 'good things' Since being diagnosed I have not had any Chinese, Italian, Mexican or pizza because of what I've been told will happen with my blood sugar. I also love sushi but am afraid of the white rice. Basically I'm afraid of all foods that aren't lean meat or veggies LOL

[Harold]

Wow...I guess no one is eating out. :hmmmm: Well I was wondering what kinds of things people eat when they go out. I was thinking grilled chicken or fish with veggies would be good. For fast food chicken sandwiches without the roll. Any suggestions?
Actually eat out frequently and pretty much anything. The trick is to learn how the meals affect you and in what proportions. You can refer to a GI list, but when it comes down to combining foods you may get a different response than when you eat something by itself. What I do when I eat out, and I did a lot of monitoring the first year, is to either divide the different dishes by half or third of a serving and then only eat that portion of it. The rest I take home and have another meal. Rice I only eat 2 or 3 bites of it with the meal, and the rest I take home then eat it by itself but only in quater cup portions.

[DeusXM]

Bloody ****, I'm with Jedi on this one - who cares? All you've gotta do is bolus extra if you think it's going to have an effect on your blood sugar. If you're really worried about the fat content, as long as you exercise regularly then the odd burger here or there isn't exactly going to kill you.

I can quite easily go out for a meal, polish off most of a 12'' pizza and then have something ridiculously high in sugar like fudge cake afterwards and be absolutely fine. Granted, I know I'm going to have to take something like double my usual insulin dose, and if it's pizza I'll probably need a comp bolus, but it's not as if injecting's a problem or even bad for me.

[MagsRM23]

I personally find eating out at any kind of restaurant hard. Even if I have adequate nutrition information on the food I order and I order light on the carbs, about 8 hours later, I always have high BGs. I do indulge and eat on on special occasions (dates, birthdays, etc.), but I really try to avoid restaurant food at all costs and stick to whole, organic foods that have been prepared in a way that I know is healthy. It just does a number on my system! This probably isn't what you want to hear, but it's what I've found works for me. I would suggest, however, eating lean meats and veggies when dining out and getting a book that lists fat, calorie, and carbohydrate contents of common restaurant meals.

-Maggie

[amccrazgrl]

I say eat what you want but in moderation.
Before I was on my pump I really didn't eat any sugar like (candies cookies) but now I might have some and it myself with a nice bolus and I'm good to go.
Here we tend to eat out like 5 days a week. It actually sucks b/c I like having home cooked meals or something not from a restuarnt. Mom wont cook b/c she did it 20yrs before my parents split and her bf doesn't know how to cook. So two opinions
1 I cook
2 We order out

I love to cook but not alone it would be fun to cook w/ someone.

[TechKnowBabble]

This might be a stupid question, but what is a bolus?

[duck]

This might be a stupid question, but what is a bolus?

A "shot"...

[TechKnowBabble]

A "shot"...

Specifically of insulin or something else?

[amccrazgrl]

Specifically of insulin or something else?

a bolus is our meal amount of insulin (like Regular short fast acting insulin)
a basal rate is our daily rate (which is the all day insulin that keeps from going up to high or low w/ or w/o eating)

its pump talk

[TechKnowBabble]

a bolus is our meal amount of insulin (like Regular short fast acting insulin)
a basal rate is our daily rate (which is the all day insulin that keeps from going up to high or low w/ or w/o eating)

its pump talk

Sounds like a talk show....yes caller, you're live on Pump Talk. :)

[sheish]

There are a lot of choices out there now....unfortunately my mouth keeps telling me I want the 'good things' Since being diagnosed I have not had any Chinese, Italian, Mexican or pizza because of what I've been told will happen with my blood sugar. I also love sushi but am afraid of the white rice. Basically I'm afraid of all foods that aren't lean meat or veggies LOL

The diabetic exchange lists from the American Diabetes Association provide enough info so you can stay in control and still eat GOOD STUFF now and then. :hypocrite You can find books about diabetic exchanges in www.amazon.com

[TechKnowBabble]

Well last night I finally had a form of potato for my first time since being diagnosed. I had a 'twice baked' potato from Omaha steaks with my baked chicken and steamed broccoli. I had done well with carbs all day and it was I believe somewhere around 28 carbs so I 'indulged'. Surprizingly, 2 hours after my dinner I was at 105. So I was very very happy about that

[Grant]

I don't eat out at restaurants often so when I do I tend to go for a slightly heavier meal than usual as a "treat" for surviving on a diet of fish, rice, salads, fruit, and veg.

I might have a burger and chips or a steak. I was told by my Diabetic nurse that its important to have something you really like to treat yourself once in a while to release feel-good enzymes.

I am a Type 2 diabetic so as long as I watch my sugars the day before I go out for a meal and remember to take my medicine, I should be okay.

[Lynpenny]

I eat out when we go out of town to the doctor. I find that if I watch what I eat then I usually do ok. There have been a few times when I overdone it on the carbs but I try to be carefull. I have a book on fast foods that I use when I order there. I have gone to the Pizza Hut and ate salad and 1 slice of pizza. I think the low fat low salt part of my diet is more limiting than the diabetic part. I really like salt.

[jenet]

I eat out a lot - usually at least once a day. If I stick to the same group of restaurants OR fast food places and eat what I am familiar with, I pretty much know how much insulin I need to take and my BG is back down to where it was before I ate by the 3 hour mark (or better if I needed to do a BG correction). Most of the time, I'm fairly good about what I eat, so I don't deprive myself and go on eating binges anymore! If I really want something, I have it. I just adjust the insulin according to my best guess, test afterwards and correct if necessary.

What causes problems is if I try something new. Then I may have to try it a couple of times before I get the carbs figured out. Pizza is the only one that has me completely stumped, so I have that very rarely any more - maybe twice a year.

Carb counting books, food company and nutrition websites, package labels (all those microwavable Healthy Choice entrees and dinners) - there's lots of information out there. For example, 2 Starbucks Venti Sugar Free Vanilla Non-Fat Lattes (my normal breakfast on work days) is 60 grams. (The fruits and veggies have to fit into lunch and dinner. :D )

After I retire, maybe I'll find time to learn how to cook. :wink:
cheers,
j

[TechKnowBabble]

Carb counting books, food company and nutrition websites, package labels (all those microwavable Healthy Choice entrees and dinners) - there's lots of information out there. For example, 2 Starbucks Venti Sugar Free Vanilla Non-Fat Lattes (my normal breakfast on work days) is 60 grams. (The fruits and veggies have to fit into lunch and dinner. :D )

After I retire, maybe I'll find time to learn how to cook. :wink:
cheers,
j

Oooohhhhh..thanks for the idea for Starbucks...I've been missing my fix. Although I normally had frappachinos and I know they are out :(

[jenet]

Oooohhhhh..thanks for the idea for Starbucks...I've been missing my fix. Although I normally had frappachinos and I know they are out :(

I'm guessing those would be out indeed! But you can still enjoy a latte with sugar free flavors (hot or iced). Here is the link for the Starbucks nutrition page to find out how many carb grams you need to adjust your meal plan (or insulin) for: http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_info.asp

enjoy,
j

[am1977]

My new weakness is the caramel light frappucinos. The good news is that it doesn't mess up my blood sugar too much. I don't know if that's b/c it's made with splenda and is less "intense" (for lack of better word) than a regular or if my carb counting skills and insulin are covering it very well, but whatever the case, I'm able to have it w/o too much of a problem. Yum :eating:

[someone]

Since you mentioned Chinese....what about it's 'close' neighbor Japanese? My boyfriend and I love sushi. Since it wouldn't be a LARGE volume of white rice, should that be ok? Normally we eat California roll (crab, cucumber, avocado) and I was wondering about that.

Nigiri sushi (the fish with white rice under it) is 12 carbs per piece. It is probably much less for the rolls, but I don't eat those, so i wouldn't know.

[TechKnowBabble]

Nigiri sushi (the fish with white rice under it) is 12 carbs per piece. It is probably much less for the rolls, but I don't eat those, so i wouldn't know.

is that raw fish? I haven't pushed myself to try that

[Penny]

My new weakness is the caramel light frappucinos. The good news is that it doesn't mess up my blood sugar too much. I don't know if that's b/c it's made with splenda and is less "intense" (for lack of better word) than a regular or if my carb counting skills and insulin are covering it very well, but whatever the case, I'm able to have it w/o too much of a problem. Yum :eating:

Yeah, but you are what 20 something?! If I had one of those, I would gain 5 pounds and have highs for a week! Cherish these days!:flybye:

[am1977]

OMG, my post disappeared again... Ugh! Guess I posted a lot in the last couple days. Oh well :(

[someone]

OMG, my post disappeared again... Ugh! Guess I posted a lot in the last couple days. Oh well :(

Sorry, Tony just swtched hosts, and accidentally restored the database from 4 days ago.

[Lynne1]

I LOVE sushi... but the rice has sugar in it. I always get highs after eating it because I treat it like regular rice. (Bad girl!) Also, the ponzu sauce on the eel is delicious, but sugary. How can one approximate the effect of that on the bg numbers?

I like to make my own mexican and chinese meals at home. Not the same as a restaurant but healthy, tasty and won't make you sick!

I make fajitas for Mexican. Basically, grill chicken in lemon juice, sautee some onions, red peppers and mushrooms. Heat a tortilla and add chicken and vegies with some cheese, guac and salsa. Also good for company.

My friend taught me how to make a really good, easy, homemade chinese meal. You can use either Chicken or shrimp.

Put salt and pepper on the shrimp. She puts it in corn starch, but you can skip this step. Then put in soy sauce.

Sautee garlic and ginger in a pan. Add the shrimp or chicken and stir fry.

As a side you can sautee some Bok Choy (or other green vegie) in garlic and a little oil and cover until wilted. Yum.

[rea]

I noticed that my favorate restaurants are all now ones with really great and creative salads, and have lots of vegetables with their meals.

there is nothing I hate more than having only a choice of either a iceberg lettuce and grated carrot 'house' salad, or the same thing but with bacon bits and renamed a caesar. I like REAL salads, with many types of green lettuce and different veggies in them. but then again, I LIKE spinach. some people don't like their greens.

fast food- McDonalds/Wendys salads, fajitas are better than the dry tasteless grilled chickens

Mexican - fajitas with less cheese, lots of veggies. the shells don't effect me alot unless I eat more than two. I love salsa, and vegetable and corn salad, and dont' eat alot of the sour cream or cheese dishes to avoid extra fats

chinese - steamed veggies pretty much, I usually avoid chinese because the msg makes me sick

thai or vietnamese- lots of veggie dishes, spicy stir fries

wrap/pita places - the best fast food because you can health them up as much as you want

italian- substitute half the pasta out for extra vegetables, or order from the main course section that has a meat, veggie and side of pasta

seafood makes great appetizers or a meal unless its deepfried (think muscles in wine and herbs)

[psilocybin]

i ate out for the first time at a restaurant on valentines day...i tried my best to carb count correctly, i ended up 11 after supper. allwell plus i had a couple beers. i like to eat at subway to, which i have carb counting down pat at