Can You Go Out To Eat If You Have Diabetes, Type 2?
You certainly can go out to eat if you have diabetes, Type 2 or Type 1. You just can't order any old thing, though. You need to search for low-fat and heart-healthy choices on the menu. Worse comes to worse, eat only a kid's meal. It's more dangerous for you to go without food than to eat a little high fat food. You can still have delicious meals in restaurants or cafes when you have diabetes, Type 2.
You Have Money They Want
As a diabetic, you are part of a powerful consumer market in the world. Since there are millions of those with diabetes - Type 2 or the rarer Type 1 - no restaurant wants to loose your business! Many restaurants - even fast food chains - offer choices that are low-fat, or low in bad cholesterols or are made in healthier ways for you. If you are not sure of how something is made or how much fat is in it - ask. You are not being a bother. Any reputable eatery would rather help you make the healthiest meal choice you can rather than have you get ill and risk a disastrous lawsuit.
Words To Live And Eat By
When looking through a menu, look for words like "broiled", "skinless" and "lower calorie". Words that make you cross them off your list include "fried", "breaded", "MSG" and "supersize". If you know that the restaurant you are going to has non-native English speaking workers, you can still communicate. If you or a friend can go to the Select Wisely website at www.selectwisely.com , you will find already made questions in many languages all ready for you to print out.
Other tips from the American Diabetes Association for those with diabetes, Type 2 or Type 1 on eating out:
Eat as close to the times you would normally eat to reduce shock to your body
Eat slowly - this will help you not dangerously overeat
Avoid eating mostly French fries and nothing else
Avoid or severely limit alcohol intake
Eat small portions. For example, instead of eating a whole pizza, eat only two slices to be safe. If you are still hungry, better to go with a salad or cooked vegetables to help balance out your meal
And always remember to take your insulin and monitor your blood sugar before and after you eat, no matter where you are eating. And still follow your doctor's advice when you have diabetes, Type 2 or Type 1.
