Opening Pandora's Lunch Box
Dining out can be a task fraught with danger. The only good news is many restaurants have to keep dietary breakdowns for menu items. As long as the cook sticks to the recipe and does not accidentally kill you with misguided kindness by increasing the portion, or adding more butter than in the recipe because everything goes better with butter. Friends are a different matter, few of the cooks I know measure. I was the same way, pinch of this, some of that, and a lot of the other. It drives those who always strictly follow a recipe stark raving mad. It was only when I started working on a cookbook did I begin to find the discipline to measure and weigh ingredients so the recipe was repeatable by others.
Being invited over for dinner by friends can be one of those times of trepidation. How do you balance good manners with enlightened self interest? I ate with friends recently and once I got home I had to hover over my meter in a panic wondering what the meal had done to my glucose levels. They are good cooks, but they cook like I used to do before my diagnosis. It had not occurred to them that my diet had changed so drastically from what I could eat before.
The meal started with a heavy creamy soup. It was thick with roux and I could only eat a small amount. I had to ask what was in the dishes as I was served, not so much to pick up cooking tricks, but to see how much I could safely eat. Even though they know I am diabetic the fact never registered with them. It is not like I wear a sign saying "Caution, Diabetic, Feed With Care!". At first they were concerned as I Pushed away half eaten courses. They wondered if I thought the food was not tasty. I explained that it was not the flavor that concerned me. I reminded them that I had to stay within my dietary guidelines, They apologized and told me that they honestly forgot that I was diabetic. If I get invited back for dinner I plan on asking if I can help in the kitchen. That way I know what I am eating, and I can teach them a few tricks for healthier choices in their diet.
Till we meet again, live your life with passion, live it with joy, and live it with a sense of wonder. Be good to yourself and those around you.
Will
Eating other places, such as out and from other people we know's kitchen is a challange, but I try to have as much fun as I can withit. Having celiac makes it even more of a deal when you look at everythignonthe table and it is all got wheat in it except a bolw of rice or a bowl of corn or vegitables. I sometimes have to plan onbrining something I can eat so I don't end up sick.
RobertThat is a real chalange. Before I was celiac I still brought food along just in case and always checked my pump to make sure I had enoug insulin to combat the food I was eating.
Sacrifice, that is what we all do now or try, some of us got it down to a skill that we can punt and subsatute. the fact you can put half a plate away and leave half is increadable and great will power. Good word for it "Will Power" :) It maks em smile to want "Will Power" Way cool. Glad I know you WIll and from now on when I make a healthy choice in food and diet, I will feel the goodness of the Soup Kitchen and your Will Power.
Thank you for this post. Something we can use and all benifit from T1 or T2.
I wish you well
Robert
10:16 PM CST