Thirty five days and I never knowingly encountered another diabetic

[Dov of the Galilee]

The thought only occurred to me tonight as I lay in my bed in Santiago. After fruitlessly trying to find food with no luck I am faced with waiting till ten A.M. tomorrow in Madrid. I wonder how other insulin dependent diabetics fare here? Using this evening as an example I went into the center of Santiago looking for a meal. If you want tapas, beer,wine, cookies,cake, ice cream or coffee then you're in luck. But if you need protein I.e. real food good luck because everything around,here opens at 2000 to 2030 hours. In a city of one hundred thousand that makes a,good piece of coin from tourists I'd think that wouldn't be the case bur I'm wrong.

The back up plan is to go to a grocery store but despite walking 3 kilometers not a single one presented itself.


So if you're a diabetic make sure you have safety nets well in place that you don't find yourself hard pressed.

 

[SabsP]

Supermercado Froiz at Praza do Toural. Right in the old centre is open till 9.30 pm.

Froiz Santiago de Compostela - Plaza del Toural, 2 | Ofertas y horarios | Tiendeo

Buscas el ◴ horario de Froiz? Encuentra aquí las ofertas, teléfono y horario de Froiz en Plaza del Toural, 2, Santiago de Compostela.

www.tiendeo.com

Caarefour Market ar Rua Montero Rios open till 10 pm.

https://www.carrefour.es/tiendas-carrefour/supermercados/carrefour-market/santiago_-_s.aspx

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

Never saw either in my Journeys.

 

[SabsP]

Never saw either in my Journeys.

Of course I do not know where you are staying in Santiago but the two I mentioned are very central.

 

[trecile]

Never saw either in my Journeys.

When I need to find a grocery store, pharmacy, or any other type of business I look on Google Maps to find one close to me.

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

That's precisely what I did, I am quite familiar with Google. The problem has been incorrect information . The wise pilgrim app will tell you that an albergue opens at 11 and you arrive and check in is at 1300 or 1500 as the place I am currently in. Grocery stores are anything from what my say is a gas station to something substantial. Again in my walk today through the old town there was not a place open between 1800 to 1900 that person could buy a few ingredients and make a meal. It's that simple. If you can sustain on beer and olives you'll have no problem. Even "proper " pilgrim meals are mostly carbohydrates which is sugar.

I'm just warning fellow diabetics be super aware of what's available and have options.

 

[C clearly]

How about a Corte Inglés. They have liberal hours and a very good selection of food.

 

[SabsP]

How about a Corte Inglés. They have liberal hours and a very good selection of food.

Much further out of old town than the two I mentioned.

 

[C clearly]

Much further out of old town than the two I mentioned.

My mistake. I was thinking of Madrid!

 

[SabsP]

My mistake. I was thinking of Madrid!

Choice enough!

https://www.elcorteingles.es/centroscomerciales/es/eci/madrid

 

[trecile]

That's precisely what I did, I am quite familiar with Google. The problem has been incorrect information

I'm sorry to have made the assumption that you hadn't checked Google Maps first. Many of us don't bother using it when we are at home because we already know where all of our local shops are, so it may not be a habit to consult it when we are traveling. And you're right that sometimes the hours are incorrect.

 

[J Willhaus]

I don't know if you are going by plane or train. The airport coffee shop opens at 7:10. The train might have a dining car if you are taking that route.

I am not insulin dependant, but do have T2 diabetes and usually carry Baby Bell cheeses, walnuts, peanuts, etc. You may be able to buy something like a bag of nuts in an airport shop or on the train.

 

[Barbara]

Have you tried just asking a local? Any random person working in any shop will know, because they probably eat food too.

 

[Roland49]

Didn't you try the italian Restaurant "L'Incontro"?
Italian food is often very protein-heavy.

Was never disappointed with the dishes they offer!

 

[Kirkie]

Have you tried just asking a local? Any random person working in any shop will know, because they probably eat food too.

I hope you are younger than I am, @Barbara, because straight away came these words : out of the mouth of babes. A very sensible option. Having said that, I do sympathise with the OP. I only have type 2, but I gather diabetes type 1 is a much more serious matter. I presume the task for today will be to source non carbohydrate food, before any other activity.
Even without diabetes type anything, I can be deaf and blind to anything if I am hungry...

 

[Barbara]

I hope you are younger than I am, @Barbara, because straight away came these words : out of the mouth of babes. A very sensible option. Having said that, I do sympathise with the OP. I only have type 2, but I gather diabetes type 1 is a much more serious matter. I presume the task for today will be to source non carbohydrate food, before any other activity.
Even without diabetes type anything, I can be deaf and blind to anything if I am hungry...

Kirkie, I doubt if I am younger than you. It just seemed so blindingly obvious that feet on the ground would belong to someone who needed to buy food, rather than asking on a forum where members could be anywhere in the world, and had no idea where in Santiago the OP was. I do sympathise, but sometimes I wonder about common sense. But yes, when hungry my brains go on strike, too.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

The thought only occurred to me tonight as I lay in my bed in Santiago. After fruitlessly trying to find food with no luck I am faced with waiting till ten A.M. tomorrow in Madrid. I wonder how other insulin dependent diabetics fare here? Using this evening as an example I went into the center of Santiago looking for a meal. If you want tapas, beer,wine, cookies,cake, ice cream or coffee then you're in luck. But if you need protein I.e. real food good luck because everything around,here opens at 2000 to 2030 hours. In a city of one hundred thousand that makes a,good piece of coin from tourists I'd think that wouldn't be the case bur I'm wrong.

The back up plan is to go to a grocery store but despite walking 3 kilometers not a single one presented itself.


So if you're a diabetic make sure you have safety nets well in place that you don't find yourself hard pressed.

Centro Commercial As Cancelas is the big Mall in SdC. It can be easily found on any map app you choose. But it is up the hill from el Centro (downtown SdC). There are more than 100 shops there and includes a big grocery store.

 

[t2andreo]

When I need to find a grocery store, pharmacy, or any other type of business I look on Google Maps to find one close to me.

Googling "supermarket near me," or "supermercado cerca de aqui" (supermarket near here always works for me.

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

Kirkie, I doubt if I am younger than you. It just seemed so blindingly obvious that feet on the ground would belong to someone who needed to buy food, rather than asking on a forum where members could be anywhere in the world, and had no idea where in Santiago the OP was. I do sympathise, but sometimes I wonder about common sense. But yes, when hungry my brains go on strike, too.

There's been a misreading on your part, I shared an observation and that is I was never aware of any fellow diabetics on the Camino and then I shared my testimony of that day, I wasn't asking for anyone to problem solve my situation. Asking locals for advice has proven very shallow on this trip especially regarding buses or taxis, presumably because they themselves don't use them, that's just a guess. But to the point of my comment , if you can walk a three km circle in a tourist rich city and not encounter a grocery store that is open then that is ...well frustrating

 

[J Willhaus]

Hope you made it safely to Madrid.

 

[temiatwork]

I am a diabetic and insulin dependent. I always have enough ration with me enough to survive the opening or availability to re-supply.

 

[Barbara]

There's been a misreading on your part, I shared an observation and that is I was never aware of any fellow diabetics on the Camino and then I shared my testimony of that day, I wasn't asking for anyone to problem solve my situation. Asking locals for advice has proven very shallow on this trip especially regarding buses or taxis, presumably because they themselves don't use them, that's just a guess. But to the point of my comment , if you can walk a three km circle in a tourist rich city and not encounter a grocery store that is open then that is ...well frustrating

I'm sorry if I misunderstood your post. I suspect I am not the only one to do so, looking at other posts.
In answer to this post, I can only say that Santiago de C is like many medium sized cities with an 'old part' and 'new sector' Restaurants in plenty in the tourist occupied area, opening according to Spanish custom, but not many grocery shops other than expensive specialty shops. So, if you are in the tourist area, ask the workers. They might not use taxis, but they do eat. There will be a few tiendas tucked away but not, I agree, easy to find. Alternatively you go to the new part where there are plenty of shops selling stuff that is actually useful. Especially as there is a university, and usually where there is a university there are hungry students.

For your specific needs as a diabetic I suppose you carry some emergency rations? Maybe you didn't knowingly meet any others but I'm sure they are out there carrying what they need, because they don't seem to be dropping like flies.
Anyway, safe journey home and I hope you found food to suit your needs.

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

I've had a roller coaster ride with diabetes. During my thirty years I've known people who can take sweets or a snickers bar to stabilize their situation. For me it only makes me sicker. My two top poisons are honey and orange juice either one spikes my numbers to the hundreds. Protein is the key for me however most nuts I can't eat, peanut butter if you can find it is the worst available and heavy in sugar but at home I can source good pb. So what you're left with is tuna fish. This is all according to taste mind you but there is good brands and not so good. None sold in Spain,were familiar to me so,it was,trial and error, I never found a,brand that was marginally good. In the past few years I,developed a severe allergy to shrimp and shellfish even though I ate it my entire life. So carrying epipens was a new combined with the concern that any restaurant I might eat in could cross contaminate. I was in a small restaurant in O Ceibera and saw a plate of food that looked really good, I told the waitress was allergic to seafood by a written card. She,went off to get it for me, I was,trying to learn the name, of this dish Pulpo or something. Now I was told this was pork which was fine until a young man also a patron got involved and sId what I ordered was,not port but octopus! I did my do diligence and had it written in Spanish to prevent and problems and I almost had a very fatal one. So the wonder dish of paella can be toxic, that's the very thing that put,me,into,anaphylaxis shock three years ago not in Spain.
Now that I've bored you with all the extra details you can,get a better feel of all,my angst in just trying to stay comatose and hopefully healthy.

 

[nickyvee]

I'm T2 and stayed next to the cathedral. No problem looking for sustenance. No problem looking for a Foz or neighborhood grocery either...thanks to Google map or wave. If I have to and about to drop like flies, I would have eaten the bar food!

No problem with food as well on the C.Ingles where support was somewhat limited.

Your experience was weird, in that you had to get to Madrid to get 'real food'. The airport alone had several options. Some options too near the train station.

 

[OTH86]

Just for future referance, ask at a farmacia where you can find what you need. They know the neighborhood, there is almost always an English speaker, they are familiar with YOUR health problem, this sort of help is free, and there is always one open or a sign on the window that indicates where the nearest one is.

 

[LTfit]

I've had a roller coaster ride with diabetes. During my thirty years I've known people who can take sweets or a snickers bar to stabilize their situation. For me it only makes me sicker. My two top poisons are honey and orange juice either one spikes my numbers to the hundreds.

The imagine of a roller coaster ride resonates with me. My mother was a type 1 "brittle" diabetic as she called it. It was a battle to keep her numbers under control but in her case a coke did the job, something she always had with her. It is no laughing matter and the consequences can be devastating.

Protein is the key for me however most nuts I can't eat, peanut butter if you can find it is the worst available and heavy in sugar but at home I can source good pb.

Too late for you now but you can actually buy 100% peanut butter in Spain without going to a health food store. The large supermarkt chains Mercadona and Carrefour (express smaller store also) sell it. Of course the added sugar and fat alternative is also available like most brands in the US but I agree, they belong on the shelf.

So what you're left with is tuna fish. This is all according to taste mind you but there is good brands and not so good. None sold in Spain,were familiar to me so,it was,trial and error, I never found a,brand that was marginally good. In the past few years I,developed a severe allergy to shrimp and shellfish even though I ate it my entire life. So carrying epipens was a new combined with the concern that any restaurant I might eat in could cross contaminate. I was in a small restaurant in O Ceibera and saw a plate of food that looked really good, I told the waitress was allergic to seafood by a written card. She,went off to get it for me, I was,trying to learn the name, of this dish Pulpo or something. Now I was told this was pork which was fine until a young man also a patron got involved and sId what I ordered was,not port but octopus! I did my do diligence and had it written in Spanish to prevent and problems and I almost had a very fatal one. So the wonder dish of paella can be toxic, that's the very thing that put,me,into,anaphylaxis shock three years ago not in Spain.
Now that I've bored you with all the extra details you can,get a better feel of all,my angst in just trying to stay comatose and hopefully healthy.

Again too late for you but I always carry sugar free, low carb protein bars with me (Body & Fit). They have 20 grams of plant-based protein (I'm vegan). In addition you can always find different types of beans although you have more options since you eat meat.

Hope you get through the night safely.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I was never aware of any fellow diabetics on the Camino

I found this heading and comment rather surprising. Both my mother and grandmother are /were type one diabetics. There is certainly no outward sign, nor would they tell everybody that they met. So short of questioning fellow pilgrims as to their dietary choices or medical issues I'm not exactly sure how or when this would come up.

o if you're a diabetic make sure you have safety nets well in place that you don't find yourself hard pressed.

Well of course, that's essential for a diabetic when traveling, or for anybody with any serious medical issue. Including in your home country. Surely you do that in your normal day-to-day life as well?

Pulpo or something.

I'm not trying to be rude (although it may sound like it, if so, my apologies) however you've been on the forum since 2016.
I am very surprised that you haven't come across this in multiple posts over the years - including with the translation into English. It comes up very frequently.

Personally I use Google translate for all menus because there are a few things that I am intolerant of (not allergic to, simply intolerant of). I think your use of a card is a very good idea however somebody's interpretation of it can be questionable. For example a vegan friend of mine was served a salad with tuna, despite having a similar card. Others on here requesting vegetarian food have reported being served chicken because 'it's not meat'. (Odd in this day and age but apparently it can still happen).

Hence why I check each and every time. A quick photo of the menu in Google translate is extremely quick (and much easier for me to read).

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

The thought only occurred to me tonight as I lay in my bed in Santiago. After fruitlessly trying to find food with no luck I am faced with waiting till ten A.M. tomorrow in Madrid. I wonder how other insulin dependent diabetics fare here? Using this evening as an example I went into the center of Santiago looking for a meal. If you want tapas, beer,wine, cookies,cake, ice cream or coffee then you're in luck. But if you need protein I.e. real food good luck because everything around,here opens at 2000 to 2030 hours. In a city of one hundred thousand that makes a,good piece of coin from tourists I'd think that wouldn't be the case bur I'm wrong.

The back up plan is to go to a grocery store but despite walking 3 kilometers not a single one presented itself.


So if you're a diabetic make sure you have safety nets well in place that you don't find yourself hard pressed.

As others have noted, the nearest pharmacy might be a good place to check for a location/supply of diabetes-compatible food.

1/ Most pharmacies, other than in very small towns, seem to have someone who speaks at least some English.

2/ Diabetes is fairly common in Iberia--both Spain and Portugal. We live in a Portuguese town with a lot of seniors, and when we go to neighbourhood social events, I used to be surprised at how many people were avoiding sweets and carb-loaded foods, and the number of comments and questions I encountered about "Are you diabetic?" "So and so is diabetic." Not surprised any longer. Seems to be part of life, here.

So likely, somewhere there are options for you!

https://diabetesatlas.org/idfawp/resource-files/2021/11/IDF-Atlas-Factsheet-2021_EUR.pdf

Note that Spain is 2nd in Europe and Portugal 4th, in terms of 20-79 years old prevalence of diabetes!

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

I'm T2 and stayed next to the cathedral. No problem looking for sustenance. No problem looking for a Foz or neighborhood grocery either...thanks to Google map or wave. If I have to and about to drop like flies, I would have eaten the bar food!

No problem with food as well on the C.Ingles where support was somewhat limited.

Your experience was weird, in that you had to get to Madrid to get 'real food'. The airport alone had several options. Some options too near the train station.

Wouldn't know about the airport since I never went there. The train had a vending machine which only took cards but the wifi was out; no dining car from Santiago to Madrid.

 

[Opiemoore]

My mistake. I was thinking of Madrid!

One of my fellow pilots recommended an app called “pocket earth”. Operates on WiFi but also allows downloads of selected areas, cities, countries to work without internet.

HIGHLY detailed - shows roads with names, stores, restaurants, lodging, etc. I’ve used it all over the world (well, okay, not Russia or North Korea) to great effect.

In Spain and Portugal I could always find some kind of grocery in towns, and the stores were generally open - except LOTS of the stores were only open mornings on Sundays. Total shutdown on Sunday afternoons so then the only option was waiting for restaurants to open.

Also used Camino tool, not quite as detailed. Haven’t used gronze while walking yet - so haven’t really figured out how to use it