Manage Diabetes when Dining Out

Eating out is easy, fun, and quick! Unfortunately most restaurants don't put a second thought into the health factor of the dishes they cook and rather serve comfort food that keeps people coming back for more. This can hurt everyone's health but hardly anyone will feel the effects like diabetics. Managing diabetes while eating out doesn't need to make the dining experience and luckily it doesn't need to be the entire topic of conversation at dinner either.

There are some basic precautions that you should take when eating out. These are traps that can convince the most iron willed dieter to commit simple carb suicide.

Don't go to the restaurant on an empty stomach. Remember that you're not going to a restaurant to try to consume as much food as possible; you're there to enjoy yourself. Eat a normal breakfast and a normal lunch to keep you just hungry enough to eat without being famished enough to gorge yourself. You should always have a one up on your appetite.

When you go into the restaurant it is helpful to start with bread first. Make sure to order whole grain bread if they have it. Bread will be digested slowly into the blood stream and be turned into glucose. Starting with a couple of slices of whole grain bread can make you feel much fuller and stop you from having any urge of over eating.

When it comes to entrées your meal should be a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and veggies. For instance, don't order the mashed potatoes with sausage and gravy. This is not a good representation of the macronutrients or vegetables. Try to get a lean source of protein, a complex carb, and as many veggies as you can fit on your plate.

Take time when eating your food as well. Work your way through your plate methodically, like a surgeon. Stopping for sips of water between bites will help you slow down and feel fuller. This also increases the enjoyment of the meal allowing you to savor every bit. It is a much better option than scarfing down your food so fast that all your left is wanting more by the time your fork hits porcelain.

To manage diabetes while dining out you don't have to make a big deal for the table. You can see that you can order from the same menu as anyone else while just asking the waiter for some minor alterations. There is no need for it to be brought up as a topic of conversation.

Source:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes/DS01121 , Mayo Clinic