Diabetic Friendly Food Options?
Posted by nikas zekeval

A couple weeks ago I got diagnosed as having diabetes.  I'm covered on the prescription front (don't need to take insulin, so far).

However I do have to seriously watch my carb intake.  Which means doing my best to avoid sugar and limit my intake of things like bread, pasta, and starchy vegetables like potatoes.

Yeah, which describes much of the food at Gencon.  Anyone know of low carb/diabetic friendly dining options?  I can make Subway work, if I can get over to the mall, and they are still there.  Not sure about anything else.

Posted by urielblue

Hey there, Diabetic (Type 2, in remission) here. I was diagnosed in Oct 2019, and immediately stopped drinking booze (I'm a bartender...Ha), and tried to eliminate sugars completely. I lost 80 pounds (From 298, I hover in the 220s currently).
I know that there's a lot of fear and anxiety inherent when you first get diagnosed, and worrying about eating options when out-of-town adds to that.
Fat is your friend, as it slows down sugar absorption into the blood, so things like cheese and gravy are actually pretty beneficial. As well, just walking 20 minutes post-eating does wonders for your blood sugar, which plays into at least one of my preferred eateries.

My go-to fave places...

Eagle Tavern, which is about a mile from the ICC, so a pleasant 20-minute walk. Fried chicken, gravy (Yes, and potatoes/biscuits) are still possible, as long as you don't go overboard with them. I eat there 2-3 times/Gencon, and it's a highlight for me/my crew.

Pearl Street Pizza: Have you heard the phrase "The Pizza Paradox"? I hadn't, but a longtime friend with D2 told me about it; Despite the dough, a pizza loaded with meats, cheese, and even veggies significantly slows-down blood sugar absorption, as mentioned above. Can you eat half a pie? Well, no...but I eat a quarter Lg and split a Ceasar salad with a buddy, and with the walk back to the ICC, and within, I'm fine. Salad is great, as the fiber in the lettuce helps, as fiber pretty much negates carbs on a 1:1 basis (If you look at foods, the Net carbs is the total minus the fiber).

First Watch: I also don't eat red meat, and this place has turkey/chicken sausage, as well as great breakfast gravy. I skip the biscuits, but I get the potatoes, with extra gravy. As above, fat is your friend. 

All of these places have unsweetened iced tea, which is my go-to, unless I'm feeling a Coke Zero.

There are lots of options with the food trucks, including Vegan, and plenty of lower-carb choices. Corn tortillas are lower Carbs than Flour, so tacos over burritos are my choice. 

For snacks, I carry turkey jerkey, nuts, Trader Joe's Grainless Granola, and a few SF Candies. If you like iced tea, Klass has little 1-use teas and aguas frescas (Stevia) for sale. I get them on Amazon, and they're about $11 for 44 of them. 

While I avoid giant piles of carbs in general, I will partake when in a group, with friends eating the bulk of it; If getting Chinese, I can have a bit of Chow Mein, and friends eat the bulk of it, etc...

Any day where you will be walking for long periods (Dealer Hall) will be much easier overall, as even than casual exercise lowers your sugars.  Any specific questions about other eateries, etc...I'll be glad to answer to thebest of my experiences.

The Eagle – Menu (eaglerestaurant.com)

Starters | Pearl Street Pizzeria (securetree.com)

First Watch Menu | See All Options | Gluten-Free, Vegan & More

Posted by dingodefalco

I have Bluebeards and Greek Islands for carb-free or carb-light meal options.

Posted by gamerlaura

If you still want the experience of Italian, Old Spaghetti Factory will sub broccoli for pasta.

Posted by alexasmith132
#5

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Posted by sam_jonathan993

For low-carb, diabetic-friendly dining at GenCon, here are a few tips and options:


  1. Protein-Centric Meals: Look for grilled meats, salads with leafy greens, and protein-based dishes like grilled chicken or fish, often found at various vendors.
  2. Fast Food Hacks: At Subway, you can get a salad or a sandwich without bread. Most other fast food spots offer similar options if you skip the bun or opt for lettuce wraps.
  3. Nearby Malls or Grocery Stores: These can offer healthier choices like salads, pre-made protein packs, and veggies.

Remember to check with vendors directly about carb content and opt for water or unsweetened beverages. Planning Private Endocrinologist ahead with snacks like nuts or low-carb protein bars can also help keep blood sugar steady while you're on the go.

Posted by dampskat urielblue

urielblue wrote:
Hey there, Diabetic (Type 2, in remission) here. I was diagnosed in Oct 2019, and immediately stopped drinking booze (I'm a bartender...Ha), and tried to eliminate sugars completely. I lost 80 pounds (From 298, I hover in the 220s currently).
I know that there's a lot of fear and anxiety inherent when you first get diagnosed, and worrying about eating options when out-of-town adds to that.
Fat is your friend, as it slows down sugar absorption into the blood, so things like cheese and gravy are actually pretty beneficial. As well, just walking 20 minutes post-eating does wonders for your blood sugar, which plays into at least one of my preferred eateries.
My go-to fave places...
Eagle Tavern, which is about a mile from the ICC, so a pleasant 20-minute walk. Fried chicken, gravy (Yes, and potatoes/biscuits) are still possible, as long as you don't go overboard with them. I eat there 2-3 times/Gencon, and it's a highlight for me/my crew.
Pearl Street Pizza: Have you heard the phrase "The Pizza Paradox"? I hadn't, but a longtime friend with D2 told me about it; Despite the dough, a pizza loaded with meats, cheese, and even veggies significantly slows-down blood sugar absorption, as mentioned above. Can you eat half a pie? Well, no...but I eat a quarter Lg and split a Ceasar salad with a buddy, and with the walk back to the ICC, and within, I'm fine. Salad is great, as the fiber in the lettuce helps, as fiber pretty much negates carbs on a 1:1 basis (If you look at foods, the Net carbs is the total minus the fiber).
First Watch: I also don't eat red meat, and this place has turkey/chicken sausage, as well as great breakfast gravy. I skip the biscuits, but I get the potatoes, with extra gravy. As above, fat is your friend. 
All of these places have unsweetened iced tea, which is my go-to, unless I'm feeling a Coke Zero.
There are lots of options with the food trucks, including Vegan, and plenty of lower-carb choices. Corn tortillas are lower Carbs than Flour, so tacos over burritos are my choice. 
For snacks, I carry turkey jerkey, nuts, Trader Joe's Grainless Granola, and a few SF Candies. If you like iced tea, Klass has little 1-use teas and aguas frescas (Stevia) for sale. I get them on Amazon, and they're about $11 for 44 of them. 
While I avoid giant piles of carbs in general, I will partake when in a group, with friends eating the bulk of it; If getting Chinese, I can have a bit of Chow Mein, and friends eat the bulk of it, etc...
Any day where you will be walking for long periods (Dealer Hall) will be much easier overall, as even than casual exercise lowers your sugars.  Any specific questions about other eateries, etc...I'll be glad to answer to thebest of my experiences.
basketball starsThe Eagle – Menu (eaglerestaurant.com)
Starters | Pearl Street Pizzeria (securetree.com)
First Watch Menu | See All Options | Gluten-Free, Vegan & More
Hey, thanks for sharing your experience and tips! Your journey through managing Type 2 diabetes is really impressive, especially with the lifestyle changes you've made and the thoughtful approach to eating out while keeping blood sugar levels in check. As someone who's gone through a lot of trial and error with food choices, it's clear you’ve figured out a system that works for you—and it’s awesome that you’re sharing this to help others with similar health goals.

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