Should Diabetics eat out at these kind restaurants or not?

[Rob43]

Hi, Have a question here about the restaurant below called Golden Corral.

goldencorral.com

Is this not a good idea to eat out at restaurants like this?

Rob.

[sydneya]

If you have good self control have at it. It looks like they have plenty of food that is okay. The problem for me is they have plenty of food for the picking. I always like to try a little of everything, and that is way too much food in one sitting. Can you spend the whole day and keep going back? LOL

[JediSkipdogg]

I love that restaurant. I just hate the price. I wish I was 60 years old right now and could get the senior discount. For a type 1 it's pretty easy to eat there. If you are on a pump, you just pump quite often. If you are on MDI, you either give lots of shots or just give a few larger ones (depending on how much you eat.) As for a type 2, I think you have to learn control on what to eat. But I wouldn't think eating there once in a while would be a bad thing. They do have a large variety of food so I would think they'd be healthier than say McDonalds or Bob Evans.

[Belinda]

I rarely eat at buffets but it is possible for a diabetic to eat at them. It is almost like holiday parties where the grazing goes into effect

[Penny]

If you have good self control have at it. It looks like they have plenty of food that is okay. The problem for me is they have plenty of food for the picking. I always like to try a little of everything, and that is way too much food in one sitting. Can you spend the whole day and keep going back? LOL

I had to laugh at this one! My sister was a single mother of two very skinny teenage boys, that she could never fill up. On a vistit with her, I intended to take her family out to eat, she suggested Golden Corral. Her boys ate until I was sure they could not eat another bite. She sat there with me and talked for the longest time, until I suggested that we leave. Her answer, she wanted to stay there until the boys got hungry again, which they did and they again ate much more than I thought they could!:biggrin:
I do really well at these type places. I take a "taste" (just a small spoonful) of everything I like, including dessert. I don't go that often, but have never had a big rise in my BS when I did it. I have more problems if I go someplce where I order a complete meal, my instincts to not be wasteful, make me clean my plate.

[Lynpenny]

My nephew manages one of the Golden Corrals. I like eating there since I can get lots of veggies and pick the kind of meat I want. I know there are lots of things I can't have but there are plenty that I can. Unfortuntly we don't have one here where I live. I really hate Montana Mikes.

[lelggren]

We have a golden corral down the street :) I love to eat there! I would say that you can eat there anytime if you want, but just don't go nuts on everything. Moderation is the key. And, if you want to binge on a certain part of the meal, make it be veggies or the salad bar, or have your meat fix. But, if you know you won't be able to stay away from the mashed potatoes and mac-n-cheese, then I would say better safe than sorry.

[am1977]

I would say NO, diabetics should not eat at these types of restaurants. I think there's way too much temptation and it's TOO hard to control your blood sugar even if you cover what you eat. I think it's okay to do every once in a while, but I wouldn't make it a habit :wink:

[DeusXM]

I think it's okay to do every once in a while, but I wouldn't make it a habit

Really that's irrespective of whether you have diabetes or not. I think it's perfectly ok for people with diabetes to eat whatever they want, whenever they want, and how much they want. You just have to make sure that you can cover those things.

[someone]

I would say NO, diabetics should not eat at these types of restaurants.

I completely disagree. If your ratios/doses are correct, and you count the carbs correctly, it shouldn't matter if you eat 10 carbs or 500 carbs.

Really that's irrespective of whether you have diabetes or not. I think it's perfectly ok for people with diabetes to eat whatever they want, whenever they want, and how much they want. You just have to make sure that you can cover those things.

Completely agree. :) I think you should eat where ever you choose. There is no reason to limit where, or what you eat just because you are diabetic. As a matter of fact, it really pisses me off when people think this way.

[am1977]

I completely disagree. If your ratios/doses are correct, and you count the carbs correctly, it shouldn't matter if you eat 10 carbs or 500 carbs.
That's fine...you don't have to agree with me, you are entitled to your opinion just as much as I am.

I think buffets aren't the best choice for anyone and, yeah, you can carb count and cover what you are eating with insulin, but I think it's often hard to do that. People tend to underestimate what they eat and that can lead to blood sugar issues.

[DeusXM]

To be honest, I don't think we should eat at buffets like this - but not because we have diabetes. Eating that much food is bad for anyone, diabetic or not.

[jen_slc]

To be honest, I don't think we should eat at buffets like this - but not because we have diabetes. Eating that much food is bad for anyone, diabetic or not.I agree, it's just so tempting to stuff your face! But if you can go there and not come out totally overstuffed, good for you, you have much more self-control than I would ever have in a place like that! Personally, I tend to avoid places like this not because of anything related to my diabetes... it's because places like this are notorious for outbreaks. I'm not saying buffet places are dirty - I took part in some inspections of buffet restaurants this week and they all scored very well. It's just that the situation provides more opportunity for spreading disease, so it's a leeeetle bit more risky eating there than at a full service restaurant. If you do choose to eat at these places, it makes no difference whether you're diabetic or not, maybe consider washing your hands after running the buffet line & handling all those spoons/spatulas/tongs. Nobody ever thinks about those as the culprits, they always think of the food! :tongue:

[someone]

Yeah, I usually try to grap the very end of the spoons/spatulas/tongs where it looks as though no one has touched it. I too find it hard to walk in a place where you are using serving materials that someone touched after coughing on their hand. I, however, am probably much more overboard than most when it comes to the subject. Generally I do not eat at, or enjoy eating at buffets. I was just trying to make my point that you should not restrain from going to buffets, or eating certain things simply because you are diabetic.

[travis]

Ok, am I the only one who thinks their food ranges from flavorless to gross? I've only been once, but it wasn't good.

Diabetics shouldn't eat at these kind of places. Non-diabetics shouldn't eat at these kind of places. Dogs shouldn't eat at these kind of places. It's not normal or healthy to eat 5000 calories in one shot. I know otherwise normal people, people who wouldn't dream of making an extra serving for dinner at home, who get all worked up about going to these kind of places. They'll skip lunch, and then the goal of the evening is to eat until they can hardly walk so they get their "moneys worth" and really stick it to the man by eating a lot.

Thank you, I'll spend my money at places that feature quality over quantity, and where little kids aren't taught to shove people around so they can be the first to the new tray of fat or sugar.

I worry about utensils too -- I worry about food-service workers who are supposed to be trained in hygene, so it's even worse when you're sharing a serving spoon with 200 other people.

[someone]

Ok, am I the only one who thinks their food ranges from flavorless to gross?

No.. and you point out another reason I seldom eat at buffets. Chicken or Fish.. they both taste the same.

[sydneya]

I have a tendency to overeat at a buffet. But I also have a tendency to overeat what I want if I am depriving myself. But others handle it different so..........

[Rob43]

Hi, The reason I asked this question is my doctor said Diabetics cann't eat out at this kind of restaurant because she said we cann't eat big meals anymore. Only small snacks and three regular meals a day.


Rob

[DeusXM]

Your doctor's wrong, if you're on MDI.

[Belinda]

Your doctor's wrong, if you're on MDI.


OR a pump.......sometimes the doctors amaze me at what they say.....

[etee]

To be honest, I don't think we should eat at buffets like this - but not because we have diabetes. Eating that much food is bad for anyone, diabetic or not.

I think part of the problem with buffets is that we have bought into the argument that to get our money's worth, we must gorge ourselves like we are at some Roman orgy of gluttony. I have always had problems with buffets, at least until I learned to think of "value" in a different way. Now, when I go to a buffet (Golden Corral, Ryans, Cicis, or one of the 5,187 Chinese buffets in town) I look to get reasonable amounts of the foods I want, rather than whatever the cook happens to have on hand that day. If I want a meat-fest, then so be it. If I am feeling like vegging out on salads that day, that is OK, too. I will even have some mac-n-cheese and mashed potatoes (again, with cheese sauce), but normally one serving, and that being about 1/2 cup. I also limit the number of return trips I make (unless it is fresh boiled crawfish, in which case I can't go back often enough to get too much to eat ) ;)

-etee

[etee]

Hi, The reason I asked this question is my doctor said Diabetics cann't eat out at this kind of restaurant because she said we cann't eat big meals anymore. Only small snacks and three regular meals a day.

IANAD,NDIPOOTV (I Am Not A Doctor, Nor Do I Play One On TV) -- but this sounds really really strange. See my above post -- buffets don't have to be about the quantity, they can be about the variety/diversity of food. Also, my doc has told me that it may be better to eat more meals/day (like 4-6) and make them smaller, rather than the old-school "3 squares" we were taught as kids. Of course, your doctor (and you) know your situation better than I could ever hope to, but I might be tempted to seek a second (qualified medical) opinion.

-etee

[Cyborg]

Check out this other thread that discusses the effects of overeating which is one of the side effects of buffets for some people, http://www.diabetesforums.com/diabetes/8250-chinese-restaurant-effect.html?highlight=chinese

[psilocybin]

Check out this other thread that discusses the effects of overeating which is one of the side effects of buffets for some people, http://www.diabetesforums.com/diabetes/8250-chinese-restaurant-effect.html?highlight=chinese

i went to a buffet and had some beer for my birthday, went rather well i just injected afterwards, keeping in mind that i still kept track of all my carbs, ended up 5.5 after =]. i had beef, chicken, potatoes, salad, some peppers, cheese, beer, and soup.. turned out alot better than i was expecting i was quite proud of myself

than came the cake hours after lol...bolused to much for that and went low (2.3 mmol to be exact)....allwell atleast the dinner went well

[KickStart101]

:hmmmm: You must be a Miracle Man. You are supposed
to inject the Insulin before you eat, so it has time to absorb into
your system so it will be well on its way to be ready to combat
all the food that you have ingested so that your blood sugar
doesn't go disgustingy high.
If I didn't take an injection before all of that food my sugars
would've been off the wall. We eat at buffets twice a month and
I know what I am going to eat and I know how much I need to inject
before we go there. Actually I carry my Insulin with me cause we
usually never know where we will end up. :) Your sugar goes high
with alcohol before it brings it down hours later.

[KickStart101]

Hey Etee, I agree with you. :)

[KickStart101]

[QUOTE=KickStart101] Actually I carry my Insulin with me cause we
usually never know where we will end up.[ /QUOTE]

By that I meant we usually go to a Friends place, or bowling,
shopping,etc. after the buffet, so I take my Insulin with me
in case we stay too late and I need a shot.

[Cyborg]

I think the person who invented the pump musta been having lunch at a buffet the day the idea struck them. These things are ideal for buffets if you are good at carb counting. Oh how I miss dragging the insulin and syringes with me everywhere I go! ;)

[Tokyo Cate]

That kind of restaurant seems off the chart for me, though I have been to buffets in the past and controlled my sugars, knowing how much I could consume and what was healthy. If, when going to such places, we considered our limits, then we would likely be fine. If we went and went with the response of most people--eating until we are satisfied (or so more than satisfied we couldn't cope)--then we would have a problem. We need to set realistic limits and respond to them.

[Lynpenny]

Your so right Tokyo. It is up to you to be responsible for what you eat. I enjoy eating at a buffet once in a while so I can have food without cooking it. I'm getting so fast food has absolutly no appeal to me. Most places serve lots of meat and potatoes and rolls and very little veggies and I can't eat that way.

[Simon]

The biggest problem with counting carbs at these things is the more you eat the more the error in your estimate of carb content goes up. I tend to eat quite a bit but choose foods that are low in carb to keep the error in the estimate down. Like anyone, I don't or shouldn't eat at these things often.

The problem with a non-buffet is you don't always know how big the portions are until they arrive, indeed I once bolused for the desert then started eating it only to find it had ice cream hidden under the profiteroles. You don't get that problem at a bufet.

[bsr2002]

Most places serve lots of meat and potatoes and rolls and very little veggies and I can't eat that way.
I agree, that's why I love Chinese Buffetts :)

Cheers

[Erin]

Well I'm of about five minds on this issue.
(and I so love ordered lists)

1) buffets are kinda yucky for hygiene reasons, so nobody should eat there

2) buffets are kind of yummy, so everybody should eat there

3) If you're type 2 and not on insulin and you have to really carefully watch what you eat there are lots of options, so you could eat lots of veggies and meats and stuff that taste good, and wont' effect your bg

4) if you're type 2 and not on insulin and have to watch what you eat there are lots of options, so you can end up eating a lot of high carb high sugar foods because they're there and you want them because they are yummy and they're there.

5) I'm type 1 and on insulin, so I just bolus for what I eat, and I'm ace at carb counting, so it's not usually problematic, but then again, I don't usually eat at buffets (see # 1)

[playgtar]

I'm a fan of the GC. Especially pre-diagnosis. I was killing them and still loosing weight. I think you'd have to plan it well. Visit their website first. I think the thing that would throw me would be the gravies and sauces that things are cooked in/with. Let us know how it goes.

[Shellbelly]

Yes I think the food there is really hard not to pig out on, so you just got to be carefull. I like it though how they have sugar free desserts. They are pretty good!!!

[TechKnowBabble]

I know that I definitely couldn't go there. When I have a selection of meals where the amount of food is LIMITED like in a regular restaurant I am fine. However in an all-you-can-eat place I wouldn't trust myself. But that's ME

[Cajunswampangel]

I personally eat often at buffets. but im not a big eater, so im safe. i have a small amount of veggies, meat, small salad and usually my desert is the sugar free jellos, but if they dont have the sugar free i will eat a small portion of regular jello. My husband often complains i dont get my moneys worth, but the way i look at it, is i get what im in the mood to eat, usually things like broccoli, a little meat, brussel sprouts, and seldom but occasionally a small amount of beef stew (which also has potatoes and carrots). This is my regular meal when i eat at GC. Then i go back and get a little lettuce, cucumber and cantelope or grapes. then my jello. I have never found that what little i eat has effected my sugar any. SO if you eat there just watch what and how much you eat. If your BS rises to much, you know the next time to cut back and maybe choose a little healthier foods. (when i say small amount, it's like a 1/4 cup at most)

[Lynne1]

I'm afraid to go on a cruise 'cause it's just one big buffet...and a good one from what I've heard. Don't trust myself around food, I guess.

[TechKnowBabble]

I'm afraid to go on a cruise 'cause it's just one big buffet...and a good one from what I've heard. Don't trust myself around food, I guess.

HAHHAHAHHAA...my BF and I were on a 14 night cruise in February...I was worried about what it would do to my a1c. Their sugarfree desserts were awful...I guess they didn't use Splenda. So I did eat the desserts with sugar. As you can see, for me it wasn't a catastrophe but did raise my previous number a touch. I did also gain some weight on the cruise as well. But it seemed to come right off once we came home so I'm not sure how accurate the scale was at the time :-)

[rzrbks]

Golden Corral should be my middle name.

I love to eat there.

I just watch what I eat and I do love the veggies they have there, particularly the grilled veggies.

The one I go to has wonderful salmon and the Navy beans are great as well.


Just a Teeny bit of dessert is all I allow myself

[Penny]

I had lunch today at Country Buffet, with old friends. I was at 128, right before we ate, and 3 hours later I am at 149. I was careful, eating whitefish and lots of veggies, and a little bit of a broccolli salad (tasted a little richer than I normally would have), no potatoes or bread. I did have frozen yogurt topped with chopped nuts for dessert, but it was a small serving. I din't feel too bad about the 149, I took 5 units of Novolog before the meal, and will again before supper.

[labob]

It's not just buffets that can cause health problems. I'm 47 and had never had food poisoning -- including the two years I lived in West Africa when I was in the Peace Corps -- until I started working in downtown LA eight years ago. Since then, I've had at least 4 or 5 bouts, all brought about by places that were not buffets. The circle of places where I feel I can eat lunch safely is getting smaller and smaller.

I'm not familiar with Golden Corral, but since my diagnosis I've found that I actually like buffets because I can control my portions. If something goes on my plate, I will eat it (I'm hard wired not to waste food). I'm much better at making sure that something doesn't go on my plate in the first place than in declining to eat it once it's staring me in the face, so restaurants where I can select not only what I eat, but how much, are usually good for me.

The one place where my new preference for buffets didn't work, surprisingly, was Las Vegas. I had to go there a few months ago on business, and I was really surprised by the buffets. It's probably an exaggeration, but my memory is that almost every vegetable selection at a buffet was either "honey-glazed" or coated in some other suspect sauce. I couldn't find a salad bar that offered the array of unadorned veggies that any Souplantation around here presents as a matter of course. Maybe the buffets in LV feel they have to dress up veggies because the buffets have become so pricey, but I found that I had healthier options in regular restaurants than in buffets.

[psilocybin]

I'm afraid to go on a cruise 'cause it's just one big buffet...and a good one from what I've heard. Don't trust myself around food, I guess.

i would be more worried to go on a cruise because of all the killings....this buffet and food consumption can be easily controlled by using a diabetes carb counting book...i always eat at buffets, you just have to bring a measuring cup with you if u are not very good at eyeballing your food

[sugarfree76]

I'd say as long as you practice self-control, WHY NOT?!!?
I've been at many (chinese) buffets and just eat fish and vegetables.
Personally, I cannot stomach too many fried foods

[Tim_Roy]

I live in Las Vegas. We don't have Golden Corral because they wouldn't last a minute in state with hundreds of buffets.

Since I got more serious with the carb-counting I've steered clear of the buffets though.

[Twisted]

I eat there every once in a while. You just have to have self control. If you can handle being around all the stuff that you're not supposed to have then you should be fine.

[ladytaz]

Hi, Have a question here about the restaurant below called Golden Corral.

goldencorral.com

Is this not a good idea to eat out at restaurants like this?

Rob.

I understand your question completely, Rob! When I was first diagnosed, I was scared to death to eat anywhere but at home! Now, I've learned how to eat! It's all about knowing what foods affect your BG levels, and a little bit of self control! ;)

I eat a buffet's about once a month. I just went to Golden Corral the other weekend. I prefer Ryan's or Fire Mountain tho, as they have a much better selection at the salad bar. ;)

FIRST I always eat a salad, with fresh veggies on it (cucumbers, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower), usually put some cheese on it and some hard boiled eggs and then some salad dressing. I usually get myself half full on that.

Then, I usually get a steak (and their portion of steak is WAY less than I'd make at home myself!) then I look for the veggies, usually broccoli and carrots for me, yellow squash if they have it, I pretty much stay away from the corn. I don't eat the potatoes, or mac and cheese, RARELY eat the fried chicken, or any other coated and fried foods and I don't eat seafoods at all, I do not like them, never have! I may or may not have a roll, that all depends upon how my BG is doing at that time. It's pretty low carbs really!

I do NOT visit the desert section ... ever, at ALL!! Outta Sight, Outta Mind! :) Besides, I'm full by that time anyway.

If a restaurant I'm at has foods that I feel are too carby, then I just stick to a salad for my meal! I mean come on people!! It really isn't THAT difficult of a deal!! Now, if you don't like salads and/or you have absolutely no self control ... well then, I guess you're up a creek without a paddle, and your best bet is to not eat out at all!

Since I'm T2, on meds only, I can't just "take some insulin to cover it", so I have to watch what I eat 24/7/365 ... NO MATTER where I am eating!

The only time I have a problem with the temptation thing, is when I'm sitting at home and things like brownies, cookies, cakes or other sweet munchies hanging around the house. THEN it tempts me, I swear it calls my name (LOL) ... therefore I don't keep that kind of stuff in my home. But at a restaurant, nope, I've got no problem with saying no to the "evil" foods.

[trpack]

Ladytaz, I think that was very well said, I think being a T2 on meds alone forces you to eat better. Since there is no choice in how I eat then there is no temptation.

[Keezheekoni]

I don't tend to like buffets because when I go out to a restaurant, I want to pay someone to serve me! LOL I don't want to have to serve myself...I can do that at home! :rofl:

However, my husband and kids love Old Country Buffet (I think that's part of the same company as the one you're talking about). We go there maybe three times a year, and when we do, I always eat a salad first. I make it a pretty large salad too, since then I'm not worried about eating too much of the stuff I could get into trouble with!

Typically I'll have a couple slices of their roast beef, 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes, some green beans and carrots or corn. I don't like any of their chicken, can't eat fish, don't like the cinnamon rolls... LOL Can you tell I really am a boring eater? For dessert, if they don't have any of the sugar free stuff available, I'll have a small bit of frozen yogurt with a smidge of hot fudge.

One nice thing about OCB is that they have their nutrition information available, so if there is something there that looks appetizing and I don't know how many carbs are in it, I can just ask for the information and get a quick response. While on MDI, I would plan spacing my Humalog dose over the course of the meal, rather than taking it all at once...especially if there weren't the sugar free desserts. Now that I'm on a pump, well it'll be a lot easier than having people wondering if I'm shooting heroin or something! :rofl: