The difficulty of avoiding sugar in Thailand.

[Felton Jarvis]

I am pre-diabetic and try to completely avoid sugar in my diet. Restaurants here in Pattaya make that difficult.

One high-profile Norwegian restaurant uses sweetened condensed milk in their scrambled eggs. Another popular 

restaurant, owned by an Australian, sprinkles sugar on French Fries. You can’t reason with them because they deny

using sugar in their recipes. Has anyone else noticed this???

[Tarteso]

Even myself, after a decade living here... I’ve become a sugar daddy.

 

[Crossy]

Thais really do like their sweet things ???? 

 

Sugar sprinkled on chips/french-fries sounds gross. I know Maccas etc. use sugar in their fries to promote browning, but the amount should be very small.

 

If the eggs are made to order, just order without milk, otherwise just don't go there.

 

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

30 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

sweetened condensed milk 

After years I did another attempt to find unsweetened condensed milk. Gave up.

Sweetened, sweetened AND mixed with palm oil (another "healthy" highlight) or completely from palm oil (faking).

So I remain tied to coffee mate. Made of:

palm oil ☹️

Edited September 8, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[VocalNeal]

32 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

I am pre-diabetic and try to completely avoid sugar in my diet. Restaurants here in Pattaya make that difficult.

One high-profile Norwegian restaurant uses sweetened condensed milk in their scrambled eggs. Another popular 

restaurant, owned by an Australian, sprinkles sugar on French Fries. You can’t reason with them because they deny

using sugar in their recipes. Has anyone else noticed this???

All you can do is do your best. In your two cases above don't order the things you know about.

[fredwiggy]

Avoiding processed sugar is one thing. White rice here is very high on the glycemic level, which cause spikes in blood sugar. It's not easy eating out because unless you know what they're putting in the food, you're at the mercy of the cooks. You can eat a lot of foods and I've included a link to help.......................https://www.lark.com/resources/low-glycemic-foods-list

Edited September 8, 2023 by fredwiggy

[KhunLA]

I don't think sugar is the demon ingredient it's made out to be.  Saying that, agree, sugar as an ingredient is way OTT at times here, and worldwide.

 

Really have to read the labels, and try to exercise moderation.  One of the reasons we avoid processed foods, and many restaurants.  

[cooked]

Thai street food is praised highly. However, it is a fact that sugar and sometimes salt is often surreptitiously scattered on food, obviously because people like it whether they know it or not. Then there is the use of vegetable oils (seed oils) just like in the West. Evidence is mounting that these are a major part of the diabetes (metabolic syndrome) epidemic that we have and didn't exist 100 years ago before the invention of seed oils. AND: used oil is sold, not to use in combustion motors but to be recycled, using bleach, and sold back to the restaurants. 

Most diabetics and pre-diabetics that take their diet seriously, as they should,  cook at home, I can't remember the last time I went to a restaurant or ate street food.

[cooked]

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I don't think sugar is the demon ingredient it's made out to be.  Saying that, agree, sugar as an ingredient is way OTT at times here, and worldwide.

Sugar is a lot worse than it's made out to be. You might want to do some research first, but of course if you are so addicted to it that  you can't imagine life without it, nothing will dissuade you from your unscientific opinion.

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, cooked said:

Sugar is a lot worse than it's made out to be. You might want to do some research first, but of course if you are so addicted to it that  you can't imagine life without it, nothing will dissuade you from your unscientific opinion.

 Yes. The reason so much sugar , and salt, is put into a  lot of food is the fact the companies know that people are addicted to it.

[scorecard]

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I don't think sugar is the demon ingredient it's made out to be.  Saying that, agree, sugar as an ingredient is way OTT at times here, and worldwide.

 

Really have to read the labels, and try to exercise moderation.  One of the reasons we avoid processed foods, and many restaurants.  

But I have little trust that the labels are correct. 

 

There's been many cases in the LOS where product labels incorrectly state ingredients, protein, sugar, calory levels etc., etc. Even falsely stating that products have been tested/approved by the Thai FDA equivalent, none of which is true. 

[JackGats]

A major downside of living in Thailand. Sugar in everything, even in "salty" food (salt mixed with sugar and/or chillies for maximum addiction). Fake yogurts (milk of sorts, with a thickener and plenty of sugar). Meat skewers dabbed with sugar sauce.

 

Even breakfast buffets in good hotels seldom have sweeteners available (deemed too expensive I guess).

[KhunLA]

14 minutes ago, cooked said:

Sugar is a lot worse than it's made out to be. You might want to do some research first, but of course if you are so addicted to it that  you can't imagine life without it, nothing will dissuade you from your unscientific opinion.

I came to my opinion, because of my research.  

 

Believe what you want, but sweets & pastry have been a mainstay of my diet, forever, and still no ill effects, coming up on 69 years.  

 

Though never a sugary soda pop drinker, or alky, so avoid most of the sugar others consume, along with avoiding overly processed food.

[still kicking]

34 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Thais really do like their sweet things ???? 

 

Sugar sprinkled on chips/french-fries sounds gross. I know Maccas etc. use sugar in their fries to promote browning, but the amount should be very small.

 

If the eggs are made to order, just order without milk, otherwise just don't go there.

 

 

 

My nephew sprinkles salt on strawberries.

[KhunLA]

1 minute ago, still kicking said:

My nephew sprinkles salt on strawberries.

In the past, never understood the salt on fruits, but now know the science of it, and it does seem to make sense.  Though i still don't do, myself.  Surely it's added to my Thai Spicy Fruit Salad, and a favorite of mine here/TH.

[EVENKEEL]

Sprinkling salt in draft beer was a thing.

[ChipButty]

the wife got me a Croissant this morning from 7/11 why does it have to be sweet? it would have been ok ham and cheese without the sugar, 

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, Felton Jarvis said:

I am pre-diabetic and try to completely avoid sugar in my diet. Restaurants here in Pattaya make that difficult.

One high-profile Norwegian restaurant uses sweetened condensed milk in their scrambled eggs. Another popular 

restaurant, owned by an Australian, sprinkles sugar on French Fries. You can’t reason with them because they deny

using sugar in their recipes. Has anyone else noticed this???

I think you need to change your class of restaurants. Sure, the scrambled eggs, are quite common to be made with sweetened condensed milk in Thailand. Only the better hotel breakfasts and higher class or more expensive restaurants will use the right stuff.

But, the french fries??? I just wonder how low you have to go to find a place where they sprinkle sugar on them? I know that they are sometimes not using salt, but never senn any sugar on french fries.

[ChipButty]

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

I think you need to change your class of restaurants. Sure, the scrambled eggs, are quite common to be made with sweetened condensed milk in Thailand. Only the better hotel breakfasts and higher class or more expensive restaurants will use the right stuff.

But, the french fries??? I just wonder how low you have to go to find a place where they sprinkle sugar on them? I know that they are sometimes not using salt, but never senn any sugar on french fries.

putting sugar on chips I have to be honest I've never seen that, salt ok, I mostly make chips at home I dont often order them outside, great done in the air fryer, 

[huangnon]

1 hour ago, Felton Jarvis said:

I am pre-diabetic and try to completely avoid sugar in my diet. Restaurants here in Pattaya make that difficult.

One high-profile Norwegian restaurant uses sweetened condensed milk in their scrambled eggs. Another popular 

restaurant, owned by an Australian, sprinkles sugar on French Fries. You can’t reason with them because they deny

using sugar in their recipes. Has anyone else noticed this???

Maybe move this thread to the Pattaya page, as I would imagine there is more advice on where to eat, or shops that sell whole foods without the usual ultra-processed cr@p inherent in most outlets..

 

[Gottfrid]

7 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

putting sugar on chips I have to be honest I've never seen that, salt ok, I mostly make chips at home I dont often order them outside, great done in the air fryer, 

Yeah, I make most of my food in home too. Maybe out eating Saturdays and Sundays with family. However, I´ve heard a lot of the air fryers, and also tasted it. Not too bad, but I just can´t live without my portion of fat. ???? 

[KhunLA]

To help you understand why 'table sugar' isn't the demon it's made out to be.

You may want to skip through to 23:11, just after the sponsor advert:

 

[watchcat]

39 minutes ago, JackGats said:

A major downside of living in Thailand. Sugar in everything, even in "salty" food

They even sell popcorn with sugar (no salt).

[patman30]

Why i eat at home and cook everything from scratch
unless you want to be diabetic it might be time to devise a new eating strategy
it is not just Thailand, and even in expensive places, chefs do not give a flying duck about your health
they cook for the crowd and the crowd has a sweet tooth, the boss has a sweet tooth and the chef has a sweet tooth
if i eat out now it's carnviore, just give me the steak, don't put anything on it

[patman30]

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

To help you understand why 'table sugar' isn't the demon it's made out to be.

You may want to skip through to 23:11, just after the sponsor advert:

 

Guy talks about fructose
"table sugar" is SUCROSE (which is 50% fructose, 50% glucose)
just to add the guy is also a foodie with a cooking channel
(see comment above about crowd/boss/chef)

i would advise everyone to watch "that sugar film" at least once
there is a great section explaing what happens in the body when consuming sucrose
Dr. Eric Berg on YT also got lots and lots of great info

Edited September 8, 2023 by patman30

[bkk6060]

I think you should consider changing your diet.  Get poached eggs and drop the fries all together.   Ordering lean meats and veggies is not difficult.  But yes, you are right sugar is in many things here just make better choices.

[mfd101]

If you're serious about diabetes and your health in general, then cooking at home is the solution. Lots of vegies (especially the 4 cruciferous greens), nuts, eggs, berries, apples. Some red meat, lots of fatty fish (salmon). Avoid all dairy products. No alcohol, no 'sports' drinks. Black coffee & green tea are fine.

 

Make eating-out a once-a-fortnight change.

[ignis]

1 hour ago, Felton Jarvis said:

I am pre-diabetic and try to completely avoid sugar in my diet. Restaurants here in Pattaya make that difficult.

One high-profile Norwegian restaurant uses sweetened condensed milk in their scrambled eggs. Another popular 

restaurant, owned by an Australian, sprinkles sugar on French Fries. You can’t reason with them because they deny

using sugar in their recipes. Has anyone else noticed this???

Think you need to read up on Diabetes

 I am from England Diabetic over 35 years, so tend to read up on the NHS websites

 

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/food-groups/sugar-and-diabetes#:~:text=You don't need to,diabetes is a bit complicated.

 

Can diabetics eat food with sugar?

 

You don't need to cut out sugar from your diet if you have diabetes

 

Diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when someone with diabetes doesn't have enough sugar (glucose) in his or her blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body and brain, so you can't function well if you don't have enough

 

sprinkles sugar on French Fries = No but then as I have CKD [kidney problem] I do not sprinkles Salt on French Fries ether 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

I don't think sugar is the demon ingredient it's made out to be.  Saying that, agree, sugar as an ingredient is way OTT at times here, and worldwide.

 

Really have to read the labels, and try to exercise moderation.  One of the reasons we avoid processed foods, and many restaurants.  

Nonsense, it is exactly that, and this is not the first time that you have tried to trivialise its effects on this forum. Added sugar increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, it increases the risk of both Prostate and Oesophagus cancer, and increases the risk of fatty liver. Excessive sugar can also increase cellular aging, and significantly increase the risk of inflammatory conditions, such as gout. Please stop telling people otherwise.

[moogradod]

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

After years I did another attempt to find unsweetened condensed milk. Gave up.

Sweetened, sweetened AND mixed with palm oil (another "healthy" highlight) or completely from palm oil (faking).

So I remain tied to coffee mate. Made of:

palm oil ☹️

We became desperate after years, too. In Europe they have what is called "coffee milk, which is perfect for coffee. No sugar in it, low fat and you can keep it even outside the fridge. The milk comes in coffe cup aligned portions and is not expensive.

 

Here we use "Carnation" or better - buy the smallest cartons of whipping cream you can get, unopened they last as well a considerable time. That is the luxury solution - but with a very good coffee - why not ? It just comes at a price.

Edited September 8, 2023 by moogradod