Eating out can be tricky no matter which way you slice the bread! Eating out can be at a restaurant………but more often it is at the homes of family and friends.
Photo: Tony’s Restaurant Disney World
It is fun to eat a meal you haven’t cooked yourself!
Apart from bringing a scale and collapsible measuring cups (which we have done by the way); eating out is somewhat of a guessing game.
The recipes on our site help us navigate estimates if there is no online nutritional information that can quickly be obtained.
Our site, in part was developed so that friends and family could make a recipe/s and an accurate CHO could be calculated without too much fuss.
Every time the girls come for a special occasion and a big deal meal, we craft a card or something fun indicating all of the Carbs for that meal, rather than having mom or dad searching through the site. Measuring spoons are discreetly nearby as is the nutritional scale.
Sometimes it’s helpful to look at the restaurant menu before arriving and predict about how many carbs to bolus for, if you kind of know what B might want to eat. Many big chain restaurants, (healthy or not), have nutritional information on their website. Exclusive dining is more difficult. It’s artistic and such a treat, but ……….
Other times, when B is out with others (friends/family), a set menu or treat is decided upon before dining. Ie: an ice cream at Dairy Queen or chicken nuggets and McDonald’s.
Some Carb tips: have a burger wrapped in lettuce
Only eat 1/2 of the bun (burger) or bread (sandwich)
Share meals; B&K often do, one orders the protein/veg/salad and the other pasta
Bring a healthy snack to nibble just in case there is a delay
The girls don’t normally drink pop but make sure it is diet, in the event
There are so many factors to consider, but that shouldn’t prevent a trip out to dine. “Prepared” is a good word that comes to mind and even if things don’t work out quite as planned, it’s a fun time and should hopefully be enjoyed.
Sometimes one parent takes the “Diabetes Bolus” and gives the other parent a bit of time to socialize. To take at least part of the evening off. There really does need to be a designate so that BG (Blood Glucose) doesn’t get lost in all of the fun, and one parent is thinking the other “has it”.
Most of all enjoy the moment, the outing and do your best. That really is important. To have fun – There is a wonderful world to explore!
