Gestational Diabetes Check in

SoulTermination

I couldn't do any sort of yogurt with fruit in it, my sugars went through the roof compared to normal. I have yet to try plain Greek yogurt with actual fruit in it, though, rather than the fruit syrup most yogurts come premade with. Maybe this weekend I'll make a smoothie and try it out!

snappyK

I definitely can't eat yogurt or any dairy first thing. I can usually get away with it as my morning snack, but I still keep the total carbs low. I've been eating some blended chobanis that have something like 10g carbs as snacks. I've been told that I can eat limited amounts of standard western fruits - apples, strawberries, blueberries - but no tropical fruits at all ever.

My GD nutritionist manager nurse people have really stressed keeping my numbers down, but haven't once checked in with me to make sure I'm getting enough carbs. Hopefully that's ok. I just keep eating things I know will keep me in the right range, and pay a little less attention to the exact carb numbers. I've been on this stupid diet since thanksgiving. I'm so over it.

christinanoelle

I have Silhouette vanilla greek yogurt (not sure if it is a Canadian brand) and it has the least amount of carbs and highest protein i've found. I add 1/2 cup Special K protein cereal and that seems to keep my numbers in check

newter135

My dietitian said to do plain Greek yogurt ideally the 0% fat one and to add fresh fruit as the ones with the fruit already in it isn't real fruit it's like jam/jelly

Rrrrrachel

I do Greek yogurt with fruit a lot. Always full fat, and generally canned peaches on top (like four slices) although today I have strawberries and like ⅛ c quinoa granola. I don't usually eat it in the morning, but that's not really on purpose it's just how it works out.

haziedaze

I put truvia in my FAGE greek yogurt and then do 1/2-1c berries on top. Seems to work well. I added some pecans and did it as a bedtime snack last night and my fasting was pretty good despite going over some at dinner.

Rrrrrachel

I've been doing a ounce of cheese and (this is gross) a shot of apple cider vinegar at bedtime. Like RIGHT before bedtime as late as possible. That's helped my fasting numbers as much as anything, although as usually it's hard to isolate any improvement to one specific thing. I saw an actual research study that supported this approach is why I tried it.

christinanoelle

Rrrrrachel said:

I've been doing a ounce of cheese and (this is gross) a shot of apple cider vinegar at bedtime. Like RIGHT before bedtime as late as possible. That's helped my fasting numbers as much as anything, although as usually it's hard to isolate any improvement to one specific thing. I saw an actual research study that supported this approach is why I tried it.

Yes! I've been wanting to try apple cider vinegar for a while..Maybe this is the motivation I need. I first heard about it on a blog and apparently it has many benefits..

newter135

christinanoelle said:

Rrrrrachel said:

I've been doing a ounce of cheese and (this is gross) a shot of apple cider vinegar at bedtime. Like RIGHT before bedtime as late as possible. That's helped my fasting numbers as much as anything, although as usually it's hard to isolate any improvement to one specific thing. I saw an actual research study that supported this approach is why I tried it.

Yes! I've been wanting to try apple cider vinegar for a while..Maybe this is the motivation I need. I first heard about it on a blog and apparently it has many benefits..

I have a friend who isn't even pregnant and drinks a little cider vinegar everyday and swears it's why she never gets sick, clear skin, fast metabolism etc. It supposedly has a lot of health benefits GD or no GD

haziedaze

Here's an idea for making the cider vinegar a touch more palatable. I've been wanting to try this:

2 cups of water 2 Tbs ACV 2 packets of stevia Juice from 1/2 a lemon 1/2 tsp of ground ginger 4 or 5 frozen strawberries Handful of ice Blend well and enjoy!

Jesster11

I'm with everyone frustrated about the carbs too... well, and frustrated with this whole thing in general.

I've been testing 4 times a day for over a week now, and only got 1 high reading - which took a quarter of a small cheesecake topped with Oreos (Valentine's) to get.  And it was still under the two-hour number on the GTT.

I started off following the diet very strictly, but it was too much carbs and cholestrol.  I got to the point where I was force feeding myself crackers right before bed to get my target carbs when I realized it was all ridiculous.

So now I follow the guidelines pretty loosely, and for lunch and dinner I just try to stick to balancing carbs, protein, and fruits/veggies.  And sometimes I even throw in a piece of chocolate, and none of it effects my numbers.  Also, I get the same numbers whether I have 1/2 a whole wheat English muffin or 1/2 a store-bought muffin with sugar on top.

I know a lot of you ladies are really having a tough time with your numbers, and I think you are all so strong for dealing with this so well on top of all the other fun pregnancy stuff. 

However, for me, I think my GD diagnosis is a little B.S.

rockstarlaw

First day of eating strictly for GD diet purposes has left me feeling hungry and like garbage. Mind you, I've been sick anyway the past few days and I didn't plan well enough so without enough vegetables & other low-carb options I was basically left with not enough food. Starving all day.

My concern is I actually have long-suspected in hypoglycemic....I had several episodes today where I was feeling woozy. My numbers all day were low (80, 70s, 90s).

Well, lesson learned. Definitely going to need to get more vegetables packed for future days so I have enough food.

Rrrrrachel

The first couple of days (before I had even met with the nutritionist) I went reaaally low carb, especially for breakfast.  I added back a piece of sprouted grain toast with breakfast and that helped me feel MUCH better all day.  I also had an adjustment period, I think.

I hope you adjust soon and tomorrow is better!

christinanoelle

Is it April yet??? I woke up this morning to a fasting level of 5.7 - a little discouraged thinking i'd have to increase my insulin tonight. I tested 10 minutes later and it was at 4.8. I just really, really don't get these levels and they frustrate me so! 

Dr Quarters

I'm so freaking frustrated with this whole thing.  I have not been able to get my fasting numbers under control. They are always in the 90's but never under. Yesterday the dr put me on night time insulin and this morning it was 106. WTF?!?! It's never been that high.  My number after dinner was 85 so I just dont get this thing.

It's also so weird how all of us seem to be getting different advise.  My doctor hasn't said a thing to me about carbs or food in general actually. I had to ask and even then didn't really get an answer. I'm actually jealous that most of you have guidelines and seem to know what you are and are not supposed to be eating.

Rrrrrachel

Your doctor didn't send you to a nutritionist or anything?!? I generally say cest la vie when doctors recommend different things, but that seems reckless.

What time of day do y'all test fasting?  I feel like if i can sleep in a little later and test closer to 8 my numbers are better, but I wonder if that's just because I'm missing a peak from sunrise syndrome earlier than that. 

rockstarlaw

I just test fasting as soon as I wake up - which is around 630am. So far so good, but I've only been testing for 2 days, so I'm probably not much help there

Dr Quarters

Rrrrrachel said:

Your doctor didn't send you to a nutritionist or anything?!? I generally say cest la vie when doctors recommend different things, but that seems reckless.

 

No, she didn't.  If I hadn't asked at my first appointment I don't think food would ever have come up. I'll be honest with you. Most of my food knowledge about what to eat and not eat is coming from you guys.  My numbers outside of my fasting have been great so I guess I'm doing something right.

I'm testing fast after I get my son ready for daycare but before I shower (around 630). I'm wondering if I need to just test right after I get out of bed which is at 6.

christinanoelle

Rrrrrachel I also test as soon as I get up which during the week is around 6:30 am. And i'll go to bed around 10:00 pm..During weekends, I have yet to get a high number and I am assuming that is because I am testing later (around 8:30/9)

sweetmelissa0707

Well I'm feeling a little more worried now. I've had higher fasting numbers than usual, two of which have been above the 90 mark. 92 and then 106 today. I'm hoping it's because I've not been as vigilant with my snack and my routine is off because of February vacation. I know the hormones go wonky around now, too. I'm really hoping to stay diet controlled. Hard core on the wagon from here on out. It's hard to force a snack when there's so little space and I still feel full from dinner!

rockstarlaw

Here's a new frustration of mine: testing consistency. First, I've wasted probably 4 test strips because my little droplet of blood doesn't go all the way up the strip and I get an error. Then today I got a post-breakfast reading of 113, which I though was high. I ate the same thing as yesterday for breakfast and yesterday's number was 91. I pulled the strip out and decided to retest SECONDS later from a different finger and got a 102! I literally didn't do ANYTHING other than change the strip and my number went down 11 points?!? Seems like garbage to me.

Are other people having similar issues, or do you think my testing monitor device just sucks?

haziedaze

@DrQuarters what are you having for a bedtime snack and what time is your snack?

@rockstarlaw also make sure to increase your fat a bit. I cook my morning eggs in butter and frequently have 2 wasa crackers with cream cheese, sea salt, and onion powder for a snack. You could dip veggies in a ranch like dip made with cream cheese for example. It really helps me feel full longer.

So I've long heard about the ice cream bedtime snack helping fasting number. I tried it last night because DH wanted to take his stepfather to a local ice cream place before he left town this morning. I got a small and saved it for bedtime snack, I ate about 2/3rds of it (probably 1/2-2/3 (edit) cup) and had my lowest fasting of the week this morning-84.

Not planning to do this every night because I don't want to gain like crazy, but nice to know it's an option. I hate eating a bedtime snack, I'm never hungry for it, but definitely need it to keep my fasting numbers in check.

bootsiebabe

I test when I first get up - around 6:30. My fasting numbers have been under 90 since starting meds at night, but they are close. 86 yesterday, 88 today. Hoping that numbers stay like this rather than having to up my meds.

@rockstarlaw - I eat some kind of fat and fruit with every meal, which helps me stay full and also have something on the sweeter side without cheating (grapes, apple, orange, pear). My nutritionist said that you may feel hungry the first week or two if you were eating a lot more, but it should get better after that and once you've figured out what works for you.

Rrrrrachel

The margin of error for most meters is like 15 points in either direction. So it's not that unusual for back to back tests to show widely different results. Your overall testing will still show trends. If I test over I always wash my hands and test again.

My fasting numbers vary a lot, anywhere between 87 and 106 (I am supposed to be under 95).  Definitely if I go off my routine (don't exercise, eat dinner late, don't sleep well) it can mess it up, but also sometimes for no good reason!  Stupid hormones. My current strategy is exercise and very few carbs after about 6. 

Buuuuuut, who knows, really. 

Dr Quarters

@mamrotu73 Thank you for the links! I'm definitely going to read through them.  I hate feeling like I have no idea what I'm doing.  This will help a lot!!

@haziedaze I've been trying different things for snack. I've tried the ice cream, cheese and nuts, cottage cheese ect and no snack at all and they all stay about the same in the morning. I'm usually eating it about an hour before bed. Should I maybe change that to closer to bed or does it need to be sooner?

Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it!

haziedaze

The main thing is to time your fasting check for 8-10 hours after that snack, so it probably depends on when you wake up. I find if I fast 11-12 hours my numbers are actually higher (which may explain failing my fasting draw on the 3hr after a 13 hour fast and a stressful morning). Can you ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist?

newter135

Does anyone else find it odd that for us to be 'healthy' with this that we have to add so much fat to our meals? I used to have a fruit smoothie (yogurt, banana, raspberries, a tiny bit of juice and chia seeds) and/or oatmeal for breakfast, salad for lunch (no meat but a little cheese) and then my dinners always varied but if ate those things now my numbers would be through the roof. Instead I have to add all this meat, cheese, and peanut butter for extra protein and it just makes me feel so heavy. It doesn't make sense to me that having cheese or ice cream keeps my numbers low but a banana or unsweetened applesauce sends them through the roof and thus is considered 'bad'. I just don't get it.

newter135

On a more positive note this tomato soup recipe is excellent and my numbers are always fine after eating it. I don't use as much cream as it calls for but that's more because I don't think it really needs it. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted-tomato-soup-recipe.html#!

Rrrrrachel

Personally I think fat is good for you and I already had a lot in my diet. So I am not alarmed

SoulTermination

Taco Bell Baja steak Gordita supreme for lunch - 109 reading.

Peanut butter sandwich on wheat, 7 baby carrots and a teaspoon of hummus for dinner - 129 reading.

Taco Bell is apparently better than actually eating healthy...

boxerbabylove

rockstarlaw said:

So I was instructed yesterday that I should not eat any fruit before lunch, but then I was told Greek yogurt is a good snack - even with fruit in it. Do you guys avoid fruit in yogurt before lunch? Or is that taking it too far? I guess my tests will play out as they will....just not sure there is enough fruit in this Chobani to register?

I actually eat Chobani Greek yogurt with fruit on the bottom every morning for breakfast and I haven't had any problems but I can also eat a bowl of cereal in the morning without a problem so I'm probably not the norm.

Rrrrrachel

Healthy or not a taco probably had a lot fewer carbs than a sandwich.

haziedaze

Possible UO- I'm in the happily high fat camp. Our usual diet is pretty high fat low grain/rice/flour/etc. I don't believe that a calorie is a calorie and think villanizing fats while pushing increased servings of bread/cereal/potatoes/rice has actually led to a lot of the obesity epidemic.

Jesster11

rockstarlaw said:

Here's a new frustration of mine: testing consistency. First, I've wasted probably 4 test strips because my little droplet of blood doesn't go all the way up the strip and I get an error. Then today I got a post-breakfast reading of 113, which I though was high. I ate the same thing as yesterday for breakfast and yesterday's number was 91. I pulled the strip out and decided to retest SECONDS later from a different finger and got a 102! I literally didn't do ANYTHING other than change the strip and my number went down 11 points?!? Seems like garbage to me. Are other people having similar issues, or do you think my testing monitor device just sucks?

I've actually tested twice from the same finger/prick/blood within seconds and got about a 10 point difference.  It annoys me so much that out of spite I always record the lower number.

boxerbabylove

rockstarlaw said:

Here's a new frustration of mine: testing consistency. First, I've wasted probably 4 test strips because my little droplet of blood doesn't go all the way up the strip and I get an error. Then today I got a post-breakfast reading of 113, which I though was high. I ate the same thing as yesterday for breakfast and yesterday's number was 91. I pulled the strip out and decided to retest SECONDS later from a different finger and got a 102! I literally didn't do ANYTHING other than change the strip and my number went down 11 points?!? Seems like garbage to me. Are other people having similar issues, or do you think my testing monitor device just sucks?

My diabetes nutritionist said the meters we use aren't very accurate and that they can fluctuate within 5-8 points of your actual level. She told me that being 5 over my range isn't a big deal if it doesn't happen regularly. I've also heard that the alcohol swabs or any lotion on your hands can throw off your numbers. Make sure your finger is dry from the alcohol swab (if you're using them) and try not to apply lotion until after testing.

bootsiebabe

@soultermination - LOL.  I had a double quarter pounder w/ cheese for dinner the other night (don't judge) and was at like 98 an hour later.  Totally healthy!  Cheeseburgers are my favorite "splurge" food.  

boxerbabylove

I've given up on trying to figure out my evening snack. I'm now drinking Isalean protein shakes with 24 carbs 24 protein and I take my new meds and go to bed. my fasting is the only number that is a meds and the new meds seem to have that under control and in the mid 70s to low 80s.

I've got horrible heartburn and eating before bed makes me miserable. I hate the protein shakes but they seem to be doing the trick.

SoulTermination

Rrrrrachel said:

Healthy or not a taco probably had a lot fewer carbs than a sandwich.

Yeah, I'm pretty certain it did, but it just blows my mind that I can eat Toxic Hell, of all things, and be great so far as GD is concerned, but eating enough of something that's actually healthy to keep me from feeling like I'm starving feels like a sin. XD

Rrrrrachel

thanks for that, mamarotu.

christinanoelle

I was just coming in to start a WFD discussion but completely lost my appetite lol 

Seriously though, DH is going out tonight and I am lacking inspiration.. I want to eat mac&cheese but have a feeling that will not go over well with my numbers!