hi Polly,
I'm not in Ireland anymore, but I lived there for 5 years and I'm afraid you will have to say goodbye to brown soda bread for a long time. Maybe when you're in maintenance you can have one slice now and then, like once a week or so, but for the beginning it has way too many carbs - it's a pity!

The Irish fried breakfast is a better choice, although you would have to leave the black and white pudding and also the bangers have way too many rushes, unfortunately. But you can have the bacon and the egss and half a tomato. I used to ask for mushrooms instead of beans, that works very well, too.
The best sweetner, imho, is Splenda and you could always find the tablets for your coffee and tea at Tesco's.
Well I don't know if there's anything else I can help you with, but it's good to see somebody from good old Ireland, I really miss it and will certainly try and visit some time soon.
Willeke

county Galway, 1999 - 2004