lol, yea, I had a ‘co-worker’ who worked at same gym I do only different departments, when I’d go in to buy diet cokes regularly he finally one time said ‘you know you don’t have to get diet’ I smartly/loudly snapped back ‘I have diabetes…yea I do’, that caught me as well as him off guard and made him feel kinda bad… but I didn’t know what to say I was shocked and pretty annoyed
The answer to the carb know it alls is:
“If you don’t know how many carbs are in it, just say so.”
I might add “I didn’t say carbs are bad” and “if you can’t be polite to customers you shouldn’t work here.”
Of course, no one ever thinks about these come backs until they’re a block away and still steaming.
For the most part, though I don’t ask for nutritional information. I don’t expect them to know and I carry a database on my iPhone that let’s me look it up myself. After you’ve had an item enough times. you tend to remember the carb count anyway.
David, you’re right about this…
I have asked for it at larger chain ice cream stores and they had this huge binder. Though in this case the information may be available on their website.
As LeeAnn emphasized, we learn to guess (somewhat) accurately and that makes a big difference!
I do not ask anymore, I estimate all my food - after 20 years I am really good at that. Why to explain when in most cases the information about carbohydrates is not available or not reliable. Everytime a cook is involved the carbohydrate number will slightly differ. To prevent getting in trouble with unknown food I will increase my test frequency to catch misjudged carbohydrates early (30min to 1 hour after meal). The possibility for errors grows with the carbohydrate intake and therefore I try to stay below 6 CU (60g of carbs) for one meal. For me this increases the likelyhood that I will quickly regain good glucose control even for misjudged meals (too low, too high). While I stayed in USA for a month I had to overjudge many meals to catch all the hidden carbs. Quick learning process of sort trial and error.
But to come to your question: with the good old syringes I provoced many reactions in the student cafeteria where 1000 students took their meal - that was fun 
I think we have to live with these clueless people since we can not educate them all (but I am still trying).
I really don’t understand why people seem to be so shy about revealing that they are diabetic. It’s a fact so live with it. It’s not like you have an STD or other socially unacceptable illness.
Probably the majority of non-diabetics are totally ignorant of our needs. I try to enlighten them to make it (possibly) easier on the next person.
When people were allowed to smoke in restaurants I always asked for the non-smoking section. For years it was a habit for the servers to ask you upon entering. Nobody was ever ashamed to say that they wanted the non-smoking section.
You should not be ashamed that you’re diabetic and that is the impression that I get from a lot of diabetics. Stand up and be proud that you are doing so well and have control over this killer disease.
a lot of the times, though, i don’t feel like sharing that I have diabetes, because a lot of people assume i have it for different reasons. before i got it, i didn’t understand why people get it. and now, i’ve heard people talk about why they think kids get diabetes: “they let themselves go, they’re obese, can’t control their sweet intake”. None of these are true about me, and it’s sad to think that I may tell people, and they’ll assume it’s because i couldn’t take care of myself.
They are so dumb I have heard it all…they are lazy…eat too much candy…are fat…play too many video games…etc. Like they asked for it. How about genetics anyone?
I completely understand Emily and Phil is right, we have heard it all. I remember when I was 17 or 18 and had to attend family functions, going to an aunt & uncle and my aunt asking my mother what I wanted to eat because she knew that I was different. I got pissed about that and have been pissed about it ever since.
I can understand people who don’t understand diabetes … pretty much like I don’t understand most diseases. But I don’t accept ignorance … much like you have described. If you don’t know, don’t make comments.
One of my favourite sayings can be directly applied to such people … do not speak unless it improves on silence.
Peace and light
Your friend did what you did not think of doing. DO NOT let the IGNORANT people out there intimidate you.
Arm your self with information
You can purchase books that show the breakdown of foods INCLUDING many restaurant’s foods.
Here is one:
2008 CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter (Calorie King) (Paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/2008-CalorieKing-Calorie-Carbohydrate-Counter/dp/1930448163
After a couple of months using a book like this you will automatically know how many carbs are in 1 cup of pasta or one 7 inch banana, or 1- 4 X 2 inch potatoe.
Restaurants in most states are required to have a dietary breakdown of their menu. First research your state, continue to communicate on forums like this, build up your power, as a “person with diabetes” (You are not a diabetic) Ask for a dietary breakdown. If you know your states laws about restaurants and dietary breakdowns YOU WILL BE ARMED with the necessary information when you ask for a supervisor!
My son used to hate me doing this but now that he is away from home, and in college, and he does it himself. His friends are always impressed when he gets what he NEEDS.
Good luck to you.
Faith
I work around a restaurant and I am glad if someone identifies themselves as diabetic. We always go out of our way to help anyone with special needs whether it be dietary or medicinal. I have found that the best way to get around a problem waiter is to ask for the manager. The waiter primarily is working for the tip and a quick turnover. The manager wants to provide great service so you will come back. If you are polite, a good manager will be happy to assist in your needs. I had to draw the line at breast feeding in the middle of a comedy club, but that is an extreme. Just be nice, it really makes a difference on how much attention your problem recieves.
when people in general hear about carbs they think you are having weight “issues”. in my experience it is easier to go to the websites and make up then and then what i can eat or not. in general employees wont be helpful but it is not their fault either. some restaurant have the nutrition sheets in the front but other smaller franchises like mcdonalds, kfc, etc won’t. my doctor gave me a small booklet with the carbs of almost every common fast food joint. you can also visit the ada website they have a lot of info about different foods in such places.
in general, i am sorry to let you know that you will have to plan what you want beforehand. i have to agree with megan, i dont think nobody likes to pull the diabetes card, but sometimes you have to if you want the information you need.