gestational diabetes menu

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Q: Gestational Diabetes Menu Options?
My baby mama has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. She is a boarderline (not severe) case but is, essentially, on the dietary restrictions of an normal diabetic. I want to be able to make good, healthy food for her that is both tasty and follows her restrictions. Any receipes would be appreciated.

A: I don’t really have recipes, but I have GD too, and I have struggled finding things to eat. I can tell you that there are a lot of options out there for diabetics today. Oatmeal is one very good option…unflavored of course, but if she can handle a couple of grams of sugar, you can get the no sugar added flavored kind. It is not all that bad. And you can sweeten with artificial sweeteners. Also, peanut butter (healthy choice is best) is a wonderful option, so peanut butter toast (wheat bread is all my doctor will let me have) is a good breakfast. Egg sandwhiches (eggs and mayo on toast) are good. Cheese is a very healthy option, so things with cheese are good. Proteins like chicken are also good. But just remember, if she has high blood sugar that day for some reason, try and avoid getting too much protein, it will make it harder for the sugar to come down. If she likes pancakes, they make syrup that is sugar free.

It is REALLY hard to find things that you can eat when you are diabetic. It is not about just the sugar, but also the carbohydrates. A lot of foods that claim to be sugar free, are extremely high in carbohydrates compared to the sugared up version of that same food. carbs digest just like sugar and will make her sugar go up! It stinks, but she’ll get used to it. Also, make sure that she starts with fake sugar slowly…especially splenda…it has a laxative effect, even in small amounts, until your body gets used to it. I have been using it for 3 months, and I still have problems with it. And sometimes that painful diarrhea can hurt the baby just as bad, make them have bowel movements in utero (which is bad) or maybe even make the uterus contract, so please be careful. And I got really dehydrated, and lost a lot of weight, because it would make me sick for half a day…just shooting food and water right through. Please be careful.

Also, I noticed that most fruits (fresh, not soaked in sugary syrup) don’t raise my sugar too much. Grapes have been a god-send to me.

Things to avoid are white breads, potatoes, cereals…pastas. But a good alternative to pasta might be a spaghetti squash, prepared according to directions, with spaghetti sauce, that might work out great actually. Squash is very healthy, and wouldn’t taste too bad with sauce on it.

Good luck, take it seriously. If she doesn’t watch her sugar, you will have a very large baby, and your baby’s mama could hurt her own kidneys really badly. And always remember to keep her on a healthy diet after baby is born, in hopes of her not developing the real thing later in life. I can’t imagine being diabetic my whole life! To those of you out there who are, KUDOS…it stinks!

Q: Gestational Diabetes menu planning and tracking?
I think I saw this on here the other day but now I can’t find it. I’d like some links to websites that allow you to keep track of your meals, suggest menus, etc. all for FREE! TIA!

A: Try the American Diabetes Association website. They should be able to meet your needs, or refer you to another site that can.

Q: Need some Gestational Diabetes Menu Ideas! Help?
I am 16 weeks pregnant and I have gestational diabetes. Well, i can only have snacks that are 15 carbs or less. Well, I eat my last snack around 2 or 2:30 but, I usually don’t eat until 5:30 & 6. I get so hungry during the time of 2:30 to 5:30…are there any no carb foods that you know of that I could eat during that time. I also I notice that I’ve been eating supper about 5:30 or 6 and then around 8. So is it okay to eat late at night.

A: fruits and veggies are low calorie! its OK to eat late just don’t go to bed right away stay up for about an hour after u eat

Q: I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and my nutritionist gave me a menu plan, the problem is…?
that I’m still hungry after almost every meal!! like for breakfast i can only eat one slice of bread with butter, and I eat that but i am still hungry, infact, this morning my stomach was growling! I have another appointment with my dietitian on the 23rd, but till then i don’t know, what am i supposed to do?? Yesterday i had a little more rice than the half cup they tell me to eat and my sugar shot up I’ve been eating the same bread n butter for breakfast everyday but today the sugar was still within the normal range but higher than what i get everyday after breakfast, like every day it’s between 97 to 101 and today it was 124! I just don’t get it. Although it was still under 135 which is what she said it should be but… this diet is really hard and very confusing and i not filling I am 28 weeks and 3 days by the way.
Oh I’m 8 lbs more than my pre pregnancy weight, but yeah i did lose 12 lbs in the first 5 months due to extreme nausea. SO i did gain a lot in 2 months time but I’m still not in the obese category, (thank God for that)
I knew i would get diabetes at some point in life ‘cos both my parents are diabetics, Infact almost every one i know, my aunt and uncles are all diabetics. I just didn’t know it would come soo soon and that too when i am pregnant !

A: You have made the right decision – to see your nutritionist. If your nutritionist is adequately qualified I would be inclined to follow her advice. Yes, I agree that you should not be “feeling hungry” after you have had what you are allowed. My feeling is that you are continually feeling hungry because you are now having to live with a lower blood sugar than you are used to. Over a period of time I have seen many patients get used to living with lower blood sugar, sedating medications and lower oxygen saturation. I feel you will be able to adjust but it will not happen in the short run. Good luck.

I used to manage a psychiatric unit. The motto of the unit was, “You have not failed until you stop trying.”

Good luck and best wishes. Continue to be under the care of professionals. Do not forget your contribution to your well being.

Q: I have gestational diabetes needing dinner ideas?
My doctor didn’t give me a menu to go by. I’m needing some healthy dinner menu ideas any help will do thanks! I’ve never been on a diet before so I’m ignorant to all of this.

A: I like Chef Salads for dinner! Almost a complete meal in one dish, low carb! I will have real dressing on mine in a while. And have some fresh fruit for dessert with a cookie. totaling about 30 to 40 grams of carb.

Sometimes I dice up the apple, chicken, a few grapes, some cherry tomato, cucumber, and put this on a bed of spinach leaves. Have some wheat thins with it. Mayo is a good dressing on that to give the meal its necessary fat content.

Dressing always on the side so I don’t eat too much of a good thing.

Q: I just found out I have gestational diabetes at 29 weeks.?
Does this mean I will get diabetes in future also? Some people in my family had too. Also where can I find a menu on what to eat. I dont go to clinic until they call me.

A: Gestational diabetes is a warning sign for Type II Diabetes. However, there is no garuntee that you will have gestational or Type II Diabetes in the future.

For now try to eat well balanced meals. Make sure you’re eating every 3 to 4 hours. You’ll be ok until your clinic appointment as long as you aren’t binging on cookies, cake & ice cream (as tempting as that is!).

Good luck and try not to worry too much!

Q: Gestational Diabetes — Need help with fasting levels?
Earlier this week I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and my doctor instructed me to meet with a dietician and take a course to help me manage it with diet. Neither is avaiable until next week, so in the meantime I’m just taking my glucose levels 4x/day and trying to adjust my diet with a sample menu I found online. My after-lunch and after-dinner numbers are great, but my fasting and after-breakfast numbers are still a little high. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can help lower these morning numbers between now and the time I am able to meet with the dietician? What has worked for you? I only have 53 days until I deliver, and I feel like the clock is ticking and every day I don’t get this right is a day that is harming my baby!

A: Start doing this pranayam exercise and the levels will be under control.Be very patient.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume later.This is very good for the baby as well.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then – close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Q: Possible gestational diabetes and so hungry-starving!!! Menus?
doc said eat what i normally do(3 meals),and only snack on bananas,2 slices of bread,rice,oj, because i failed my first 1 hour glucose test.going for the 2nd soon- the 3 hour..so i have to be on this diet for 3 days prior.then fast from 11 pm until the test is complete the next afternoon….
what i normally eat is pastas,breads,veggies and cereals,milk,TONS OF WATER,a vitamin everyday. and other various healthy foods.
my concern is,i have to follow this diet.i have been eating no carbs/much sugary stuff AT ALL NOW. but 1 bagel for breakfast with a little butter and milk and water in the a.m. midmoring snack- a banana.
for lunch it is followed with a prenatal vitamin and water with a plain burger on a plate with no bread or chicken tenders by purdue…then later for a snack, i had a cucumber,then after that i was still starving,so i cut up a bowl of lettuce and ate that! and thank god its almost dinner time!! chicken drumsticks with a veggie and dont know what else… my point is, i am trying to lower my blood sugar so i have a healthy baby,but also want to pass my next test..
i am so hungry! anyone have any menus for a meal i can dive into and stuff my face and be full for more than an hour??? lunch,dinner..?
what about snacks.. the snacks they recommended were high in carbs and sugars!! at a level of 171,at the last blood draw,i dont know if i should be eating this..and want to know what other gestational diabetic moms eat so they arent so hungry!!?? i shouldve watched what i ate better,but with all my pregnancies i always ate pasta nd stuff.please help a lady out..

A: I am pregnant and a type one diabetic so I have to follow the same kind of menu. First off one banana is about 30 grams of carbs and drinking OJ and eating rice is awful. So I am confused as to why they would tell you this?

I eat a lot of veggies. Meat and eggs are good for you, as well as cheese. I limit my milk and juice intake as well. I do eat yogurt. Also I drink a lot of water as that helps to flush the sugar out of your system lowering you glucose.

Good luck

Q: Gestational diabetes snack ideas?
I just found out I have gestational diabetes a couple days ago. I go see my doctor on monday. I have been sticking with the sample menu they gave me to try out over the weekend and I am starving! I don’t have problems over eating so I am used to small amounts, but it seems like I am hungry all the time. They want me to eat snacks during the day and at night before bed but before bed they keep suggesting a peanut butter sandwich. I hate peanut butter. I cannot swallow it. What other things can I eat as a snack before bed? Can I eat like a bowl of honey bunches of oats or something? I don’t have a lot of money to go out and buy all kinds of fruits so I try to limit eating fruit until meals. I feel like I can’t eat anything! Someone please give me ideas of what I can eat and what is good for my baby. I am hungry and caffeine deprived (headache included). I would do everything and anything for my baby. I just need better ideas of foods to eat and things to drink.

A: Cheese and crackers. I know you said you eat fruit only at meals, but it’s a lot better for you between meals since it has fructose which is a form of carbohydrates, which you need between meals. Even a glass of milk is good for you as a snack. Foods high in nutrition and the least processed are the best.

Q: Gestational diabetes & the BABY SHOWER food?
I have gestational diabetes. My friend is throwing me my baby shower and was wondering what was ok for me to eat… she doesnt want to temp me too much. I cant have anything like cake & ice cream or even too much bread. Fruit & veges are good,yogurt, granola, etc… Protien & good fats (nuts) are good also. I want to tell her whats ok, but i dont want the food menu to completely suck for everyone else. Any ideas???? PLease!! Thanks
Should I tell her its ok to have cake? Maybe a cake I dont like… like carrot cake???

A: My husband is diabetic, so I have a hard time at holidays. I am not sure if gestational diabetes is exactly the same as regular diabetes, but I get a lot of recipes from this website.

http://www.diabetessymptom.net/news/news_search.cfm?searchem=diabetes+menu

They have some good desserts. Fruit salad is always good, too, for baby showers.

Q: Gestational Diabetes and the BABY SHOWER food?
I have gestational diabetes. My friend is throwing me my baby shower and was wondering what was ok for me to eat… she doesnt want to temp me too much. I cant have anything like cake & ice cream or even too much bread. Fruit & veges are good,yogurt, granola, etc… Protien & good fats (nuts) are good also. I want to tell her whats ok, but i dont want the food menu to completely suck for everyone else. Any ideas???? PLease!! Thanks
Should I tell her its ok to have cake? Maybe a cake I dont like… like carrot cake???

A: First off, the baby shower is for you and I assume that the guests will be there because they care about YOU. So don’t worry too much about the food sucking for everyone else. In fact, if you serve nothing but fruits, veggies, lean meats and nuts – do you honestly think people will complain? We live in a society that thinks in order to have a party, you have to have cake. Well, you don’t.
Secondly, carrot cake with cream cheese icing actually has more carbs than regular cake. I found that out after panicking for my son’s second birthday party (he was diagnosed on his birthday).
Thirdly, tell her what the good choices are and have her prepare most of the menu according to that. People actually love veggies, cheese, meats, and nuts. If she wants to include a little bit of something else, that is okay too, you don’t have to eat it all as long as there are other choices. You don’t want to make her nervous either. How about little parfaits with yogurt (plain), and fruit with a little granola? Sugar-free ice cream. You can keep track of your portions and hand the big piece of cake covered with icing to someone else. If you have lots of ‘good’ choices, no one is going to be unhappy.

The other side is that if others know you have gestational diabetes and see a table full of sugar, they will feel uncomfortable. They are there for you and your baby – not the food. Try to make it for that. Good luck and congratulations!

Q: Gestational Diabetes and the baby SHOWER food….?
I have gestational diabetes. My friend is throwing me my baby shower and was wondering what was ok for me to eat… she doesnt want to temp me too much. I cant have anything like cake & ice cream or even too much bread. Fruit & veges are good,yogurt, granola, etc… Protien & good fats (nuts) are good also. I want to tell her whats ok, but i dont want the food menu to completely suck for everyone else. Any ideas???? PLease!! Thanks
Should I tell her its ok to have cake? Maybe a cake I dont like… like carrot cake???

A: Make a list of things you can eat and things you really shouldn’t eat. Ask her if she can make 3/4 of the menu things that you can eat or eat parts of them . Such as meat and cheese trays which’ll be fine if you skip the bread or if she has whole grain options available. Green Salad w/ Italian dressing, seafood like shrimp cocktail (skip the sauce). Have lots of veggies with a protein rich dip like Ranch made with low fat mayo and sour cream and no added sugar. Deviled eggs again use low fat or no fat mayo. Avoid pre-made appetizers like mini quiches and breaded items like coconut shrimp. A fruit salad or fruit skewers with a yogurt dressing or dipping sauce on the side. Garnola, fruit & yogurt parfaits.

Q: 3 hr glucose test resulted in gestational diabetes. Now what?
I had the 1 hr glucose tolerance test Monday. Thursday I had the 3 hour test. (5 blood tests in 4 hours and two swollen and black and blue arms to prove it). I was told today I have gestational diabetes (just made the criteria). I was told I will make appts for learning how to prick my finger and I have another appt for diet.

I have to tell you…with the ligament pain so bad I cant walk, to finding out I have to cut out all my favorite foods, I’m not a happy camper.

No starches, potatoes, white breads, rice, even friggen juice which is one of the only pleasures I had left. No diet soda, crystal light because the artificial sweeteners are no good. I feel like all I have been told is no. (and dont get me started on how much I miss my beer and cosmos!)

They tell me I should exercise but I cant walk. The pain makes me cry! I have fibromyalgia and had to stop taking all my meds when I found out I was pregnant. I am in constant pain. (major mood killer) I am so defeated and unhappy its not even funny. I dread pricking my finger, the whole thought makes me gag. (Im a baby when it comes to stuff like this).

So what CAN I eat? I have to tell ya, many things I already don’t like, or dont want to eat before pregnancy or because of pregnancy. My list of food allies has grown thin. How do you eat out at a restaurant? Its like everything on the menu is bad for you!

I think I might need some happy thoughts or support. I’m feeling very angry and depressed. My first baby was 10 lbs 2 oz. This dr thinks first child was large and the 3rd degree edema (swelling) was due to gest. diabetes too. First dr just thought I was eating “too much ice cream” and probably should have retested me in my 7th month again for diabetes.

We ARE tall parents. Husband is 6 2 and I am 5 7. I had my first child naturally (NO MEDS!). Granted I ripped to Kingdom Come but I did it in three pushes. I just dont want to have to have a C Section or another super large baby.

Im at the point now I dont even want to eat. It just causes problems (too much cholesteral, too much fat, too much sugar, too much salt, blah blah blah).

Any ideas as to what I can eat? Thats actually yummy? Sorry to be Debbie Downer. Just really finding it hard to see the silver lining. Im SO over this pregnancy. Any advice?

A: oh, i feel ur pain! i was diagnosed at 11 weeks, they caught mine so early cuz they noticed i had suger spilling over into my urine. and im even worse than u are when it comes to needles and blood, it makes me so naseated, i was so upset when i found out! the diet is hard, i will agree. my husband came to the rescue when it comes to diet. he is ahealth nut who works out alot (i dont, i hate it!) so he was right there to help. i would snack on mixed nuts, string cheese, sugar free jello cups, peanut butter crackers w/tall glasses of milk. i made sure to eat a small somthing every 2-3 hours, which was a pain at first, then became more natural. for dinner, my husband would grill us chicken breasts or steak, then we’d eat some steamed veggies w/it, and i drank lots of crystal light, my dr said it was fine cuz there is no actual proof that artifical sweetners are bad for ur baby. the hardest part for me were the insulin shots, i am terrified of needles, so i chickened out at first, and had my hubby do it for me while i looked away and shut my eyes lol. eventually, i learned to do it myself, and honestly, u get used to it. i had teh same problem u do, it was so painful for me to walk, even tho mine was just cuz i was so huge! i am only 5′1, and i had a 9 lb 2 oz baby, lol. the last 2 months of my preg, i thought i was gonna die! as for a restaurant, try ordering some grilled chicken, or tilapia, w/steamed veggies, maybe some unsweetened iced tea. and even tho ur not supposed to, every now and then, i had to cheat. im only human! i found that if i gave in and had a tiny bit of sweet, it made the craving go away. also, i always kept sugar free candy like jolly ranchers or life savers in teh cabinet, they taste exactly the same, and usually satisfied my hunger. i know its hard, but its not for long, and it willonly help ur baby, and u, be healthy and happy in the long run. good luck!

Q: Gestational Diabetes Dinner ideas?
Im struggling to find different ideas. I’ve had baked chicken with veggies but can’t think or find any other sample menus. I’ve never had to diet before so any help will do thanks

A: Baked steak
SMALL portion of baked potatoe
with corn on cob

pork cops with salsa (really good fried together)
With beans

sausage & eggs sorry but it works

instead of looking at sugar on lable look at carbs
u shouldnt eat more than 70-75 carbs per meal & 20 per snack with 2 snacks a day or no more than 300 carbs per day
this will help so much including drinks

Q: help!! just diagnosed with gestational diabetes!!?
what can i eat?? i understand less or no sugar. but like what? what specifically is ok.? and what is ok to drink? i am seriously lost amd clueless about all this. i need good breakfast lunch and dinner ideas, and snacks too i guess. please someone share your menus with me.!!

A: I know it’s tough. I was diagnosed with GD early on in my pregnancy. Here sample of what worked for me…

B’Fast: 2 scrambled eggs, 1 slice toast w/ butter
Snack: Light n’ Fit Yogurt
Lunch: Salad and a burger from Wendy’s (minus the top bun)
Snack: 2 string cheeses
Dinner: SmartOnes! I lived off of those when I was on GD!

Hope this helps you.. I know it can be tough.. but hang in there!

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