Tips for ordering at restaurants when you’re living with diabetes

If you’re living with diabetes and enjoy eating out, here are some best practices and handy tips to keep your health - and your hunger - happy.

Transcript

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If you're living with diabetes and enjoy eating out. Here are some best practices and handy tips to keep your health and your hunger happy.

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[MUSIC PLAYING] First, know that restaurants tend to be carbohydrate-heavy.

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That means most restaurant foods tend to be high in added sugars and refined carbohydrates and high in fat.

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That's because they tend to fall in the comfort food category and are cheap, popular, and easy to prepare. Many of these foods can be high on the glycemic index too.

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That means they convert to sugar very quickly in your body and, combined with the high fat content of many restaurant foods, can make your blood sugar spike high and stay

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high for long if you're not careful. There's plenty to enjoy besides the bread basket and tortilla chips and still love every bite.

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Tip number one-- make a plan. This can mean checking your blood glucose level before dining out to know your starting blood sugar before the meal, and researching the menu ahead

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of time, this way you're prepared for a decision and don't have to feel like you're avoiding temptation or scrambling to make a last-minute decision on an empty stomach

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when you get there. Tip number two-- find the right buzzwords. Avoid breaded, coated, crusted, creamy and fried,

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and look for words on the menu like steamed, grilled, poached, or broiled. Whether it's fish, chicken, or veggies,

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these language clues mean you can avoid extra breading and batter that usually come with fried foods. Tip number three-- pay attention to your portion.

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Eating out with friends or family can mean sharing a plate of food instead of finishing a plate by yourself. For a lighter, lower carb meal, order a salad and an entree

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to split between two people instead of ordering two full entrees. And sharing may mean you get to try more foods

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and even save more money on the bill. I'm Dr. Sobel. For more ways to nourish your health, watch all our smart tips.