Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you have to give up eating in a restaurant for good. The difference is that diabetics need a plan before eating out. That kind of takes away the spontaneity of eating on the fly but your blood glucose levels will appreciate the planner in you.

If you find yourself having to choose a restaurant where you don't know the ingredients or whether the menu items are healthy or not, use the following suggestions to help you guide your choice

1. No food is better or worse than others. The lone exception is fast food. Some people automatically think that vegetarian food is better than food made from animal sources. However, a plate of Fettuccine Alfredo is no more healthy than a Delmonico steak. Most restaurants have several items that will fit into your nutritional plan.


2. If you can, find a restaurant within walking distance. The exercise will help you burn the extra calories.


3. Many restaurants publish their menus on the internet. Check Urban Spoon's website if the restaurant doesn't have a menu. They have a good number of menus even if the restaurant does not. Look over the menu on the internet before deciding to eat there to make sure they have items that are part of your nutritional plan.


4. Give the restaurant a call before you go to find out if they allow substitutions. More specifically find out if you can:
   
   
   
   • Substitute whole milk for skim milk
   
   
   • Reduce the amount of sugar and / or butter in a dish
   
   
   • Ask if any sauces can be served on the side
   
   
   • Ask if they can bake, broil or poach rather than frying or sauting.
   
   


5. More established restaurants generally have more experience and trained staff who know what the kitchen is capable of based on what they have done in the past.


6. Ask if they have meal designed for chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart conditions.


7. If you know the restaurant serves huge portions or is a buffet style restaurant, stay away unless you plan to share your huge portions.

No matter what restaurant you choose, drink at least a glass of water and eat a small serving of veggies (carrot sticks, celery, cherry tomatoes, etc) before going to the restaurant. This will curb your hunger and prevent you from making a bad choice based on cravings.

Here is an example of what you want to avoid when going to a restaurant: Mr. Johnson goes into a sandwich shop. He knows that all of the sandwiches are quite large. He knows, even though he's never ordered it before, that they have "half versions" of their popular meal deals. He ordered a half version of the beef brisket sandwich. When the order came out to him he was surprised to find out that the half size was still nearly a full sandwich but didn't include the chips and coleslaw. He couldn't take half the sandwich home as he was on the way to the movie theater. "In good conscience" he couldn't leave perfectly good food to waste. He ate most of it. His blood glucose levels shot way up and he suffered through a rough night.

Mr. Johnson hypothetical situation is a perfect example of not asking exactly what he was ordering. To avoid a situation like Mr. Johnson's, take the necessary steps to find a restaurant to fit your nutritional needs. Most restaurants are willing to work with you to give you exactly what you want. If they don't, move on the next one. Soon enough you will find a few restaurants who will be more than happy to have your business.