[Diabetes-Talk] Restaurants and nutrition information.

Mon Oct 5 18:14:41 UTC 2020

I completely understand the frustration, but I guess I don't see this as as
big of a problem as some. This is why diabetics should learn about nutrition
and carb counting in particular. This way, you have an idea of how many
carbs are in given foods and can calculate on your own. Yes, not everyone
has access to diabetes educators or is directed to speak with one, but there
are ways to learn about nutrition even if just Googling. Should all
restaurants have nutritional info available, yes, sure, but this is not the
reality we live in. So, it's important we learn as much as we can about food
and nutrition, especially as diabetics. But really, everyone should know
this stuff regardless of a diagnosis. I've also been diabetic for 35 years
now, but I still try to learn what I can since info can change.

Pasta, for example, is a high carb food. A serving amount should be about 2
ounces or 1/4 cup. Two ozs. Of pasta has roughly 15 grams of carbs.
Restaurants however serve way more than 1/4 cup of pasta. I would estimate
restaurants on average give about 1/2 to 1 cups worth of pasta. So, now, if
you eat the entire dish, it's 30 to 60 grams of carbs.

For the most part, you can expect restaurant serving sizes to be twice the
recommended amount.

If I eat out, I try to stick with lower carb choices. This will often still
be high in calories and/or fat, and definitely high in sodium, but I care
more about the carbs. Personally, I avoid meals that are high in carbs. So,
no pasta and breadstick; no burger and fries, etc. Ndo fried foods, though,
I'm not a big fried food fan. I usually opt for salads and veggies if
possible. Also, lots of restaurants are now providing light menus. And
depending on the restaurant, you can probably customize dishes if asking.

But keep in mind, some higher carb foods are not bad though. It depends on
the type of carb. Like black beans or chick peas or squash. Foods like these
are higher in carbs but are full of good things like fiber and vitamins, and
the body usually consumes carbs like these differently than carbs like pasta
or bread, etc.

I'm not a big burger person, but I go to places that offer gluten-free items
and vegetarian options. Some of my favorite places have gluten-free bun
options and black bean or quimoa patties. The bun is about 30 grams of
carbs, each bun about 15 grams. This is standard for most bread/bun options,
although, it depends on the size of the bun/bread. And a quimoa patty is
roughly 18 grams. So, this would be 48 grams of carbs. I don't usually get
fries but opt for a side salad or steamed veggies.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sandi
Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Sunday, October 4, 2020 9:35 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sjryan2 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Restaurants and nutrition information.

Hi Alan,

This has been a special frustration of mine for three decades, since I spent
my career in dietetics and counseling people with diabetes and other issues
that required knowing what was in their food. 
One reason restaurants often don't have nutrition information for their menu
items is that making it available requires research, calculation, and a
precise recipe, and often restaurants that are not part of a regional or
national chain balk at the cost of hiring someone to do the work, or at
taking the time themselves to come up with what you need. I believe that in
most cases, having the information available is now required for larger
restaurants. Sometimes, if you ask for nutrition information it can be
produced. But this is a difficult issue, and I don't know the one right
answer for dealing with it.

I can tell you that at most restaurants, the size of a serving of pasta is
between 4 and 6 ounces, which is huge. In many restaurants, the size of a
slice of bread is equal to two or three standard slices. Sometimes you can
estimate what you have.

Also, if you have nutrition information for a similar item from a chain
restaurant, and the portion size at the restaurant without information is
similar, chances are the values for the chain's item can be used to estimate
the other restaurants information. Just remember that if one serving is
larger or smaller than the other, you will need to take that into account
and add or subtract nutrient amounts.

I hope this helps at least a little. 

I'm sure others on this list will have suggestions as well.

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Alan
Wheeler via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Sunday, October 4, 2020 8:14 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Alan Wheeler <blindsticks at gmail.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Restaurants and nutrition information.

Hello everyone!

Why does it seem so impossible to have local restaurants provide nutrition
information? Is there something I am missing?

I know chains are good about this but local ones seem unable to provide the
information...or perhaps unwilling to? I'm just asking because it just seems
convaluted to try and figure out the calories/carbs in a dish I am going to
have for dinner and I'm just wishing the information could be provided so I,
and others like me could make informed choices more easily.

Alan

"If you want to practice anything, practice knowing you can do whatever you
set your complete mind to." Victor Wooten "The Music Lesson"

My blog: http://doingitdeeper.blogspot.com/

Sent from my iPad
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