Eating out with Type 1 diabetes has become a normal part of my life, but having a toddler at the table adds a whole different layer to dinner.
Until you have to decide what everyone is eating, figure out how long the food will take, keep an eye on your CGM, manage your Omnipod, and somehow feed a three-year-old who has very strong opinions about who is allowed to feed him.
Spoiler: sometimes it’s Mom. Specifically Mom. 😂
One of our family favorites is Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar.
And, of course, my toddler has his order figured out.
Mac and cheese and seasonal fruit.
Honestly, he doesn’t even need to look at the menu anymore.
My Toddler Has His Dinner Figured Out
The funny thing about going out with a toddler is that sometimes he happily eats by himself.
And sometimes he decides:
“Mommy, feed me.”
Not Dad.
Not “whoever is available.”
Mom.
So while I’m trying to enjoy my own dinner, I’m also helping with bites of mac and cheese, making sure he gets some fruit, answering approximately 47 questions, and occasionally wondering whether my own food is still warm.
That’s just dinner with a toddler.
What My Husband and I Usually Order
My husband and I tend to share our food.
When I’m looking at the menu, I usually gravitate toward meals with protein and vegetables and fewer carbohydrates because that’s what works better for me personally with Type 1 diabetes.
So I’m usually scanning the menu for:
- Chicken
- Steak or other meat
- Shrimp
- Tofu
- Vegetables
My husband?
Meat.
We’re very complicated people. 😂
Sharing works well for us because we can try different things without ordering two completely separate meals.
And I’m not looking for a “perfect” diabetes meal. I’m just choosing food that I know I enjoy, and that generally fits how I like to eat.
The Part I Think About Before the Food Arrives
One thing I always ask when we sit down is:
“About how long will it take for the food to arrive?”
That question has become surprisingly important.
With Type 1 diabetes, timing matters to me. And with a toddler, timing matters for an entirely different reason.
If the food is going to arrive in 10 minutes, that’s very different from hearing:
“It’ll be about 30 minutes.”
I usually try to take my mealtime insulin through my Omnipod about 5–10 minutes before eating, based on my usual approach and what I’m seeing with my CGM.
That little planning helps me avoid my glucose rushing upward while I’m still waiting for my food.
But the reality is that I can’t always predict exactly what will happen.
Sometimes the food comes quickly.
Sometimes it takes longer.
Sometimes my toddler suddenly needs Mom’s full attention right when my food arrives.
And sometimes I’m feeding him while trying to eat my own dinner.
That’s why having my CGM with me is so helpful. I can see what’s happening while I’m juggling everything else.
Dinner Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
What I like about eating out as a family is that everyone gets to enjoy something different.
My toddler gets his beloved mac and cheese and seasonal fruit.
My husband gets his meat.
And I’m usually looking for some combination of protein and vegetables that sounds good to me.
We’re all sitting at the same table, eating different things, and that’s okay.
Type 1 diabetes doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy going out to dinner.
It just means I have a little more to think about.
And honestly, these days I’m learning that the biggest variable at the table isn’t always the food.
Sometimes it’s a three-year-old saying:
“Mom, feed me.”
Right when my own dinner arrives.
A Note From Lady Clay
This post describes my personal experience eating out with Type 1 diabetes and using an Omnipod and CGM. My insulin timing and food choices are specific to me and aren’t medical advice or recommendations for anyone else. Always follow the plan you’ve made with your own diabetes care team.
