Tuesday, 26 November 2013

It's all in my mind - a change in perspective


The past few days I've been trying to bury some feelings, to ignore them, but I suspect the best way to really deal with them is to acknowledge them and face them head on.

This is my attempt at doing just that.

So what are the thoughts that keep asserting themselves in my mind? The thoughts I've been trying to ignore? It's something very simple...

It's the feeling of loss

You see I'm recently diagnosed (by most people's standards). I managed to evade my type 1 diagnosis until I was in my 40s. I consider myself to be very lucky in this regard - don't get me wrong, adjusting to diagnosis later in life has its difficulties, but I'm well aware I've missed out on a lot of struggles others have had to deal with.

I've gone through life not having to think about food.
If I wanted to eat something, I just ate it.

If I walked past a Mr Whippy ice-cream van, I could decide to purchase a ice-cream without a second thought. Single cone? Double cone? Flake? Extras? It didn't matter.
If I changed my mind and decided not to eat it, so what? It was a waste, but that's all it was.

If I was at a buffet, I could have a second helping (or more!) and all I'd need to worry about is an ever expanding waistline.

What I'm trying to show is that I could be spontaneous with food - no thinking required.
Monkey see, monkey eat!

Now things are different.

Carbs are king!
King of my thoughts

Before every meal (and sometimes even when I want a drink) it requires a series of mathematical calculations to be executed.

An estimation of carbohydrates, consideration of the time of day to determine what ratio to apply, a bg test to see if any correction dose needs to be included.

I also need to log everything in my diary, do an insulin injection and then, finally, do the one thing I wanted to do in the first place - eat or drink.

Hardly spontaneous!

...and if I wanted that extra sandwich from the buffet, well that would require some more maths, some more logging and another injection...

...and if I've injected insulin for food or drink and then decide I don't want it - tough! Once that injection goes in, I'm committed - it doesn't matter if I'm feeling full or sick, the need to eat is set in motion.

So at the moment I'm grieving.

Grieving for the loss of spontaneity around food.

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Eating and Drinking Out - Who helps you carb count?

Today I noticed a few people on Twitter discussing coffee shops that offer nutritional information about their offerings. Eating out can always be difficult so having the carbohydrate content provided by the retailer makes things so much easier. Over the past few months I've been collecting links to various companies nutritional information, so I thought I'd take the time to share them here in the hope others find it useful.

Please let me know if anything is missing or if any links are broken (companies are notorious for changing their websites!) and I'll continue to update it.

I hope you find it useful.

*Links last updated 18th November 2016.
Coffee shops/snack foods, fast food and pizza sections updated 14th July 2017

Coffee Shops/Snack foods


CompanyNutritional Information
BBs Coffee and Muffinshttp://bbscoffeeandmuffins.com/

http://bbscoffeeandmuffins.com/Nutritional_Booklet.pdf (pdf download)

Update: 17th November 2016 BBs no longer provide nutritional information on their website
Caffe Nerohttps://caffenero.com/uk/en/menu/food/panini-sandwiches/

Updated: 14th July 2017
Costahttp://www.costa.co.uk/nutrition/

http://www.costa.co.uk/nutrition/Costa-ANI-data-July-2017.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14 July 2017
Dunkin' Donutshttp://nutrition.dunkindonuts.co.uk/

Full product list No longer providing nutritional information. only allergens

Added: 13/09/2015 Updated: 14th July 2017 
Krispy Kremehttp://www.krispykreme.co.uk/mediadownload/media/nutritionals.pdf (pdf download)

Added: 13/09/2015 Updated: 14th July 2017
M&S Cafehttp://health.marksandspencer.com/our-health-ranges/nutrition-information

Cafe: https://health.marksandspencer.com/uploads/pdfs/MS-Cafe-Nutrition-Information.pdf (pdf download)

Instore bakery: https://health.marksandspencer.com/uploads/pdfs/ISB%20Nutrition%20Information.pdf (pdf download)

Deli bar and counter: https://health.marksandspencer.com/uploads/pdfs/Deli-Bar-and-Counter.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017 to add deli bar information
Millies CookiesNo carb information provided.

Allergen information available:
https://www.milliescookies.com/wp-content/uploads/Millies-Cookies-Allergen-information.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 17/11/2016
Patisserie ValerieNo carb information provided.

http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/faqs.aspx
Starbuckshttps://www.starbucks.co.uk/menu

Information on drinks (pdf download)
Information on food (pdf download)

Updated: 17/11/2016 Updated: 14th July 2017



Fast Food


CompanyNutritional Information
Burger Kinghttp://www.burgerking.co.uk/menu

http://bk-uk-prod-2.s3.amazonaws.com/sites/burgerking.co.uk/files/documents/Nutrition_Feb.pdf (pdf download) Full product pdf no longer available

Allergen information (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
EAThttp://www.eat.co.uk/food

Updated: 17/11/2016
Greggshttps://www.greggs.co.uk/nutrition

https://admin.greggs.co.uk/assets/Uploads/Nutritional-leaflet.pdf (pdf download)

Regional nutritional information

Updated: 14th July 2017
KFChttps://www.kfc.co.uk/nutrition

https://www.kfc.co.uk/nutrition.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Little ChefNo carb information provided. Nutritional/Allergy information.

http://www.littlechef.co.uk/menu

Updated: 13/09/2015
Mcdonaldshttp://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/content/ukhome/meal_builder.html

Also note that nutritional information is provided on the reverse of the tray sheet.
Pret A Mangerhttp://www.pret.com/menu/

Allergen guide

Updated: 14th July 2017
Subwayhttp://www.subway.com/en-gb/menunutrition/menu

http://www.subway.com/~/media/united_kingdom/nutritionals/nutritional-table-dec-2016-master.pdf (pdf download)

Allergen guide

Updated: 14th July 2017
Upper CrustNo carb information provided

http://www.uppercrust-baguettes.com/menu/

Updated: 13/09/2015
West Cornwall Pasty CompanyNo carb information provided

http://westcornwallpasty.co.uk/our-menu
Wimpy
https://www.wimpy.uk.com/images/downloads/Menu/2017/NutritionalBooklet.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Yo! SushiOnly provides sugar content, not carb information

http://yosushi.mysaffronportal.com/Menus

Updated: 13/09/2015


Pizza Outlets


CompanyNutritional Information
Askhttps://www.askitalian.co.uk/media/2148/170612-nutritionalmenu.pdf (pdf download)

https://www.askitalian.co.uk/menu/

Updated: 14th July 2017
Bella ItaliaNo carb information provided. Allergen information provided.

http://www.bellaitalia.co.uk/menu/main-menu/

Updated: 14th July 2017
Dominoshttp://corporate.dominos.co.uk/nutritional-information

Information only available in pdf format. Allergen information available.

Pizzas: http://corporate.dominos.co.uk/Media/Default/CSR/Food/UKNutritionalsRegularMozzarella.pdf  (pdf download)
Sides and desserts: http://corporate.dominos.co.uk/Media/Default/CSR/Food/SidesDessertsNutritionals.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Pizza Expresshttp://www.pizzaexpress.com/our-food/our-restaurant-menu/

Carb information only available as a pdf download.

https://www.pizzaexpress.com/~/media/files/pdfs/nutritionals/pex_our-food-calories-and-nutritions.ashx (pdf download)

Allergen information available for food dishes
Allergen information available for drinks

Pizza Express have not provided the carbohydrate information of their winter specials online, however you can find them on my website here: Nutritional info for winter specials (pdf)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Pizza Huthttps://www.pizzahut.co.uk/nutrition

Allergen information available.

Updated: 14th July 2017
Zizzihttp://www.zizzi.co.uk/food

Carb information only available in pdf format. Allergen information available.

https://www.zizzi.co.uk/data/menus/static_menus/6/pdf/Spring17NutritionalMenu.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017



Pub/Diner Food


CompanyNutritional Information
Beafeaterhttp://www.beefeater.co.uk/steak-restaurant-menu

Allergen and carbohydrate information (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Brewers Fayrehttp://www.brewersfayre.co.uk/pub-restaurant-menus

Allergen and carbohydrate information available (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Ed's Easy Dinerhttp://www.edseasydiner.com/nutritional-values/

Allergen information available.

Carbohydrate information IS NO LONGER available.

Main Menu (pdf)
Breakfast Menu (pdf)
Drinks & Desserts (pdf)
Juniors Menu (pdf)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Fayre and Squarehttp://www.fayre-square.com/

Allergen information available.

Currently the website doesn't have nutritional information but an old version can be found here: https://www.fayre-square.com/Media/Documents/allergen-nutritional/fs-core-menu-nutritional-info.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Flaming Grillhttp://www.flaminggrillpubs.com/nutrition-allergen-information/

Allergen information available.

Carbohydrate information in pdf format only:

http://www.flaminggrillpubs.com/Media/pdf/SS17-flaming-grill-nutritional-information.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Harvesterhttp://www.harvester.co.uk/ourmenus/

Allergen information available.

Nutritional information (pdf download)

Updated: 14th July 2017
Hungry Horsehttp://www.hungryhorse.co.uk/food-menu

Allergen information available.
http://www.hungryhorse.co.uk/sites/default/files/hh-aw15-main_menu_allergen_sheet.pdf (pdf download)

Added: 18/11/2016
JD Wetherspoonhttps://www.jdwetherspoon.com/food

Allergen information is available.

Nutritional information for UK outlets (pdf download)
Nutritional information for ROI outlets (pdf download)

Updated: 18/11/2016
Slug and Lettucehttp://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/food/

Allergen and nutritional information available, click on the apple symbol to the right of a dish to see the carbohydrate value.

Updated: 18/11/2016
Table Tablehttp://www.tabletable.co.uk/pub-restaurant-menus

Nutritional and allergen information (including carbohydrates) (pdf download)

Updated: 18/11/2016
Toby Carveryhttp://www.tobycarvery.co.uk/nutrition/

Allergen information available (pdf download)

Nutritional information available (pdf download)

Updated: 18/11/2016


Restaurants


CompanyNutritional Information
AagrahNo carb information provided.
Gluten/Nut information provided on menus.

http://www.aagrah.com/the-menu/
Cafe RougeNo carb information provided.
Allergen information provided on menus.

http://www.caferouge.co.uk/faqs
CarlucciosNo carb information provided, just sugar for certain items sold in the shop.
Allergen information provided.

http://carluccios.mysaffronportal.com/Search?terms=&trigger=searchbutton

http://www.carluccios.com/getattachment/Menus/Menu-Partial/Allergen/Allergen_and_Nutritional_Info_8_4_15.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf (pdf download)
Chiquitohttp://www.chiquito.co.uk/menus

No carb information provided.
Allergen information provided.
Coal Bar and Grillhttp://www.coalgrillandbar.co.uk/eat

No carb or allergen information provided online.
Frankie and Bennyshttp://www.frankieandbennys.com/menu/breakfast

No carb information provided.
Allergen information provided.
Giraffehttp://www.giraffe.net/menus/main-menu

No carb information provided.
Allergen information provided.

Updated: 18/11/2016
Handmade Burger Companyhttp://handmadeburger.co.uk/get-in-touch/faq/

No carb information provided.
Allergen information provided (pdf download).
Jamie's ItalianClick on each dish to see carbs and allergen information listed in pop up.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/menu

Updated: 15 March 2015
La TascaNo carb information provided.

Allergy information provided (Excel spreadsheet).

Updated: 18/11/2016
Nandoshttps://www.nandos.co.uk/eat/menu

Click on the "i" for carb and allergen information

Updated: 18/11/2016
Prezzohttp://www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk/menu/

No carb information provided.
Allergen information provided.
Restaurant Bar and Grillhttp://www.individualrestaurants.com

No carb or allergen information provided.
Wagamamahttp://www.wagamama.com/our-menu

Select dish and click on nutrition + allergy dropdown


London Chains



CompanyNutritional Information
Itsuhttp://www.itsu.com/nutrition/calorie_counter_and_allergens.htm

Allergen information provided. (pdf download)

Nutritional information provided. (pdf download)

Updated: 18/11/2016
Ping Ponghttp://www.pingpongdimsum.com/menu

Click on nutrition fact for carbohydrate information.


Schools


CompanyNutritional Information
Gwent School MealsGwent Children's Diabetes - School Menus
Pasta KingNutritional (and allergen) information

Primary: http://pastaking.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Primary-Meals-Range-Meal-Nutritionals-New-Range-2015.pdf (pdf download)

Secondary: http://pastaking.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/S4-Pasta-King-Core-Range-Meal-Nutritionals-2015.pdf (pdf download)

Updated: 13/09/2015


Cinemas and other venues


CompanyNutritional Information
Alton TowersNo carb information provided by any of the food outlets in the theme park.
Allergen information provided on site not online.

http://www.altontowers.com/info-help/places-to-eat/theme-park#restaurants
Cineworldhttps://www.cineworld.co.uk/xmedia-cw/repo/nutritionalinformation_june2015_3.pdf (pdf)

Added: 17/11/2016
Odeonhttp://www.odeon.co.uk/food-concessions/nutritional-info/

http://m2.odeon.co.uk/_uploads/cached/sites/odeon_co_uk/uploads/documents/nutritional_info/Complete_Version_-_2016_Coke_Nutritional_Info_PDF_version_UK_V.2.pdf (pdf)

Added: 17/11/2016
Vue Cinemahttps://www.myvue.com/legal/nutritional-information

Food (pdf)
Drinks (pdf)
Sweets (pdf)
Icecream (pdf)

Added: 17/11/2016

Hotels


CompanyNutritional Information
Premier Innhttp://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/food.html

Allergen and carbohydrate information provided.

Change Log


1st July 2014: Flaming Grill Pub and Eds Easy Diner added.
1st October 2014: Full refresh of all links.
12th October 2014: Added Schools section.
13th September 2015: Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme added. Links to allergen information added.
22nd September 2015: Millies Cookies added.
13th December 2015: Added Hungry Horse. Updated Ask with older menu that includes carb info. Added new category of hotels.
3rd February 2016: Added Pizza Express winter specials
17th February 2016: Added ASK carb values
17th November 2016: Added Cinemas to venue section