gestational diabetes
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gestational diabetes diet

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Q: Is it normal to lose weight on the gestational diabetes diet?
I lost 3 lbs in 4 days & this seems weird to me being 30 weeks pregnant. Did anyone lose weight while doing this diet?

A: I think because you have to follow a diabetic diet it is normal to loose weight. My daughter in law lost 35 lbs during the course of her pregnancy she looks and feels great !

Q: What is your gestational diabetes diet plan?
Mine is 255 carbs a day, spread out as
Breakfast – 45
snack – 30
Lunch – 60
snack – 30
Dinner – 60
snack – 30
with no restrictions on anything but carb counts and monitoring blood sugar 4 times a day. Definitely not restricitive! So far I’ve had large cheeseburgers twice today for “snack”. lol.

A: since you cant control youre own diet and obviously are seriously over weight to be a gestational diabetic
You should really keep your ignorant mouth shut when offering people advice to feed 5 week old babies CEREAL.

Q: Have you ever LOST pounds while pregnant on a gestational diabetes diet?
I just want to know if controlling my blood sugar and caloric intakeand not gaining weight while pregnant is still ok for my baby?
I am looking for personal experiences here, I’ve had three kids and this is my first case of diabetes-so please refrain from “ask your doctor” responses, I already know what my doc has to say.

A: If you were not at your healthiest weight when you got pregnant…it is normal to lose some weight or not gain some weight during your pregnancy. With a gestational diabetic diet, you might lose weight just because it is the healthiest diet you can be on while you are pregnant. In general, controlled diabetics who follow their meal plans are eating how the normal population should eat.

I had my son 2 1/2 years ago and I am a type 1 diabetic and was for 1 year before we conceived our son. I was a little lower than healthy weight when I conceived and was aloud to gain a little more but I was told that if I wasn’t at my healthy weight they would have concern of weight gain or consistent weight loss.

I think typically women who are happy about their pregnancy (gestational or not) may lose weight just because they are eating healthier for their baby.

I wouldn’t be concerned unless the ultra-sounds are showing a baby who is significantly underweight or underdeveloped. I imagine you will be seeing a Perintologist soon or already have and they are the key in detecting possible problems for your baby.

Just stick to your diet plan; gaining 15 lbs during your whole pregnancy is healthy, for someone who is at a healthy weight. And remember that doctors are crazy about avoiding malpractice suits, and if you don’t like your doctor find another.

Good luck and congratulations!

Q: What kind of diet is for Gestational Diabetes?
I think I have the worst doctor. He told me today I have gestational diabetes and asked the nurse to give me some dietary education, but then everyone disappeared and I didn’t get any education at all. I’ve never had this before and have no clue what to do! All they told me was that diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise…. but no info on the kind of diet. we’re going into a holiday weekend so I know I won’t get any appointments with dieticians or specialists until next week or the week after at the earliest. Meanwhile, do you guys have any suggestions of simple foods to eat/diets to follow? Am I supposed to avoid sugar totally?
P.S. I am so angry at my doctor, and feel really guilty about having diabetes. Any suggestions on how to cope would be great!

A: Here are some general guidelines:

• Eat a variety of foods, distributing calories and carbohydrates evenly throughout the day. Make sure both your meals and your snacks are balanced. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat three small-to-moderate-sized meals and two to four snacks every day, including an after-dinner snack. Although your meal plan may contain fewer carbs than you normally eat, complex carbohydrates should continue to provide most of your calories.

• Don’t skip meals. Be consistent about when you eat them and the amount of food you eat at each one. Your blood sugar will remain more stable if your food is distributed evenly throughout the day and consistently from day to day.

• Eat a good breakfast. Your blood glucose levels are most likely to be out of whack in the morning. To keep your level in a healthy range, you may have to limit carbohydrates (breads, cereal, fruit, and milk), boost your protein intake, and possibly avoid fruit and juice altogether.

• Include high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and dried peas, beans, and legumes. These foods are broken down and absorbed more slowly than simple carbohydrates, which may help keep your blood sugar levels from going too high after meals.

• Limit your intake of foods and beverages that contain simple sugars such as soda, fruit juice, flavored teas, and most desserts — or avoid them altogether. These foods can quickly elevate your blood sugar. Ask your healthcare practitioner about using foods sweetened with an artificial sweetener if you need a sweet fix.

• Milk is high in lactose, a simple sugar, so if you drink more than two or three glasses a day, you may need to limit the amount you drink and find an alternative source of calcium. If you’re looking for a new beverage of choice, try club soda with a squeeze of lemon or orange, or unsweetened decaffeinated iced tea.

Moderately increasing your activity level is also a good way to help keep your blood glucose levels at normal levels. Again, speak with your diabetes educator or practitioner about the right amount and intensity of exercise for you.

http://www.babycenter.com/400_what-type-of-diet-should-i-follow-if-i-have-gestational-diab_505181_1000.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%405157f6a2

I really think you should see another doctor if possible. Gestational diabets can be very serious to you and your baby. I had gestational with my last son. My doctor sent me home with a glucose monitor (which you should REALLY have) and had a dieticain come to my house to go over a personalized diet plan for me. I also had to test my glucose 4 times a day and call it in to the doctors office (of corse it was automatied, but at least they kept CLOSE watch on my results) and test my urine once a day int he mornings. I think you are very justified in feeling angry. This is nothing you did and this is your baby and you are just trying to care for it!! Please find someone who cares about your baby as much as you do….or at least acts like it!! lol I wish you the best!! good luck to you and your baby!! :)

Q: What should I expect to be on my diet for gestational diabetes?
I go to see the gestational diabetes nutritionist on thurs. I am 29 weeks and they diagnosed me at 28. She told me not to worry about what I’m eating until then, so I’m using these last few days to get my cravings satisfied! lol. When I see her though, what should I expect to be eating alot of? Staying away from? Is it going to be that bad? Or was it manageable for you?

A: mt friend had it and some of the foods she had to stay away from were fizzy drinks, especially coke, chocolate, pizza, lollies (candy), ice cream and a few others. i cant remeber them all. however i do know that she caved in occasioanlly and would have the odd can of coke or chocolate bar

Q: is it ok to drink diet coke when you have gestational diabetes?
I have gestational diabetes and ive been drinking diet coke what i would like to know is if that’s ok to drink?

A: yep any ‘diet’ drink is fine to drink! if you’re unsure check the carb content. they should all say 0!
just don’t binge on it like i do! or you’ll have tummy problems! :(

Q: preeaclampsia/gestational diabetes diet?
what kinds of foods /diet do you have to have to get gestational diabetes or preeaclampsia?

A: Its not a specific food/diet that you eat. You either have it or you don’t. If you do find out you have gestational diabetes (preeclampsia has nothing to do with what you eat), then it can certainly be controlled through diet, but nothing you eat brings about the condition.

Q: gestational diabetes/diet?
I’m 36 weeks along, and my doctor called and said I have gestational diabetes (it a long story, mostly my fault, as to why it took so long to be diagnosed). Anyway, she said to cut down sugars and carbs, and to try to follow a diet plan for gestational diabetes (I don’t need insulin injections)…. it’s too far along in my pregnancy to get me to a dietician (takes about a month to get in to see one here), so if anyone has gestational diabetes, could you let me know what kind of things are okay to eat, and how to tell the difference between good carbs and bad?

A: I’m 31 weeks and I also have GD. My Dr. put me on a diet constructed by the American Diabetic Association. So you may want to check out their website. It basically breaks down what you should have as far as protein, carbs, etc for each meal. The website is very helpful and will give you a lot of information. Hope this helps!

Q: What is a good diet to PREVENT gestational diabetes?
It runs in my family. I have insulin resistence and want to prevent gestational diabetes. I’m still early in the pregnancy so I want to take charge of this now.

A: The thing to remember is this- it’s not exclusively lifestyle based. I mean, a lot of women who do eat healthy and don’t gain too much weight end up with it anyway. You might not be able to prevent it, and if you can’t don’t feel bad about yourself. It’s not your fault!

However, everyone else has really great suggestions for keeping your blood sugar in check. Drinking the sugary sodas and things like that doesn’t necessarily cause GD – but it makes the symptoms worse. That’s why often the focus is on controlling it, not necessarily preventing it.

I would focus on exercise, because that alone will help your body become more sensitive to insulin. Additionally, you really want to increase your fiber intake. Studies have shown this to help reduce the risk. Best wishes!

Q: Not following gestational diabetes diet correctly.?
I know someone who is 39 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes around 30 weeks; her numbers are not very high usually like five or so more than what they should be. She is not going to put on insulin they just want her to control her diet. Well, she doesn’t really check her blood sugars and is not following a diet either. The doctors say that the baby is doing very well & I would like to know if her baby will be ok when it is born & are there any consequences she should be worried about? I just want to make sure they will both be ok! :]

A: The main worry with her not watching her diet is too much glucose (which her pancreas is not taking care of if she has gestational diabetes) passing though the placenta and to the baby, making the baby gain more weight then it should. This can result in complications during delivery (higher chance of c-section), and for the baby when its born (low blood sugar and jaundice).

Its important to follow a healthy diet when you have gestational diabetes, so please encourage her to follow it.

Q: Feeling worse on the gestational diabetes diet?
I was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It explains a lot because I’ve gained weight rapidly without changing my diet, have high levels of amniotic fluid and at 29 weeks my daughter’s weight is estimated at 3.9 lbs! Since the diagnosis last week, I have been following the diet religiously and have been eating small meals every two hours, cutting out sugar and juices and counting carbs. And I have to say that I feel AWFUL. I feel tired and lethargic and feel hungry all the time, and even feel nauseous at times. I felt MUCH better before I was eating worse (carbs, pastas, sugars). Anyone else had this happen? I have an appointment with my doctor in a few days so I’ll ask him there but wanted to know if anyone else has experienced something similar. Is my body just adjusting to this new diet? Or is something wrong? Thanks!!!!

A: I was diagnosed with GD last week at 30 weeks. I felt the EXACT same way-totally yucky. I asked my midwife and she said it’s your body’s way of reprogramming yourself. She said it can take up to two weeks to notice a difference. However she said each should be better. (which it has been) It’s your body’s way of going through a small withdrawl from the bad carbs. Are you meeting with a nutritionalist? I also find taking a brisk 30 min walk helps me out a LOT!! Good luck!!!

Also-try adding more bulk fiber like veggies to your plate. Or try mixing fiber with protein so you’ll feel fuller longer.

Q: Gestational diet and loosing weight and I am pregnant with twins.?
Hey everyone I just started the gestational diabetes diet and i am starting to loose weight. Just this week I have lost 3 pounds. My pregnancy weight was 110, My current pregnancy weight with twins at 29 weeks is 142….I was 146. Just wondering if this is healthy at this stage of my pregnancy?

A: tell your dr because twins come early as it is you dont want to lose weight so they have a better chance of being heathly

Q: How much does it hurt if you cheat on a gestational diabetes diet?
I’m curious about this. I’ve been on a gestational diabetes diet very strictly for the last month. My blood sugars are very under control, no sugar in the urine, and I’m managing it with diet and exercise. But I am wondering what would happen if I cheated once. Does anyone know? My doctor seems to believe I already cheat here and there (can’t believe I haven’t had a taste of chocolate or soda since he told me.) He only slightly believes me because my blood sugars, even the ones he surprises me with, are always lower than the targets.

So… what would happen if I cheated?

A: No one knows to be honest.

First, one time cheating is probably not going to kill the baby, cause the baby to have deformities (especially if you’re in the last trimester like most gestational diabetic moms), or hurt the baby. It WILL make the baby create more insulin to combat the higher blood sugar. The more times that a baby makes more insulin for themselves like that, the more danger they are in of putting on weight and having problems when born. But just one time of blood sugar spiking is not likely to hurt them (if it did, then doctors wouldn’t dare do the glucose challenge tests on pregnant women.)

And of course the more control you have over it then the less likely one time cheating is to hurt. I mean, if you’re having to use insulin to try and control it, then your blood sugars are probably higher at times than you know, and it’s not worth the risk.

However, if something DID happen, would you forgive yourself? Because you couldn’t wait a few months?

There are ways to ’safely cheat’ if you really need something sweet. Some sweetners don’t raise blood sugar, but you have to be careful with those when pregnant, still it may be safer to do that one time than to raise your blood sugars. And of course you can always work your diet around fruits, fruit snacks, roll-ups, etc. Like if you’re dying for pie, then getting a pumpkin pie and having a small piece as a part of your dinner, then exercising afterwards, may let you cheat without having your blood raise.

Q: how to reduce fasting values with diet?.gestational diabetes.?
Hi all,
I have gestational diabetes .Since past 2 weeks, i have been on diet for that.I am always under 140 after 1 hr of meals but my fasting is always close to the upper range..like 93, 95 ,96.I am not able to keep it low.I tried walking after my dinner snack, reduce my carbs in snacks…its not helping.Any tips to bring it down without medication..please advise.
I am grateful for all the useful tips.

A: That’s actually a decent fasting. Even if it’s close to the range it’s still okay – it’s not like you want to be 20 points lower every morning!

There are a couple of things you can try:

– walking after dinner (as you are already doing)
– eating a good protein oriented snack at bedtime, preferrably something that breaks down slowly. In other words, don’t make it a glass of milk, make more like a lean meat or some cottage cheese.

The most effective way is to take a long-acting insulin such as Lantus.

Q: Any tips re diet for Gestational Diabetes?
Just been diagnosed and now on 3 tablets per day – you build up over 6 days. Sugar levels are all over the place it seems no matter what I eat and feel wierd most of the time – like I need sugar and can’t have it! Any tips? I know what I should be eating as my dad was Type 2!

A: Your sugars should get better as you get more medication, but they start you slowly (metformin, right?) because if you get it all at once you have gastrointestinal distress.

For now, concentrate on switching over to 5-6 small meals a day, always with whole grains or other low-glycemic carbohydrates. Never have a carb without a protein. Get plenty of protein and veggies.

It helps to get away from sugars and sweet stuff because then you stop craving it. However, there are a few tricks. One trick I’ve used that really gives you a rich chocolate flavor is to take unsweetened cocoa powder (I like the dark chocolate variety) and mix it up with light cool whip. If you only have like a 1/4 cup at a time it’s about 30 calories and it’s not enough to raise your blood sugars. Eat it really slowly and it tastes like chocolate mousse.

Also, SF ice creams and all the products with splenda taste a LOT better than they used to! The danger is not to have too much, and as gross as it sounds, if you can have some protein at the same time as some SF ice cream it will keep your blood sugar from spiking as much. So I always make myself have like a piece of cheese first, then I have my little mug or bowl of SF ice cream.

Good luck, I know the metformin can make your stomach hurt, so hang in there. And there is always insulin! Insulin works very well in pregnancy, but I think they figure they are more likely to get women to take their medicine if they don’t have to inject it.

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