Anyone with GD please come in!

PhillyJ33

Hi! I just started testing my blood on Monday and I am really struggling with my after breakfast numbers- anyone have any tips? I have been following the nutrition plan to a tee (my breakfast didn't really change anyways) and my numbers are high everyday one hour after breakfast.
All of my other readings are fine but this is making me nervous!
I have tried Whole grain English muffin with hard boiled egg (144), steel cut oatmeal and a cheese stick (147), 2 slices of rye/pumpernickel toast with a slice of cheese melted on too (175!!). I walk my dog after breakfast and that isn't helping either... Aargh frustrated!!!!
Sorry for the long message!

KristyLynn26

The first time around with DD I had problems in the morning too at first. Once I figured that out it was only occasionally after dinner. Sorry your having problems it was very tricky for me also.

What worked for me was two slices of the Pepperidge Farm Light bread (I preferred the Oatmeal) toasted. It has fewer carbs than almost any other bread I found. I would also have 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. Doesn't sound like much but it did the trick every time. I had to avoid milk/dairy at all costs. It really affected my blood sugar. You might be able to try substituting an egg for the peanut butter. I just couldn't do eggs or chicken for some reason the first time around. Good luck and hang in there. I promise it does get easier.

One more thing... I don't know if you keep a food journal but it really really helped me. I was able to look back through it and see exactly what worked and what to avoid.

Good luck again!

PhillyJ33

@KristyLynn26 Thanks! I will try PB tomorrow instead of an egg or cheese. I have been keeping a food journal- it is frustrating but hopefully I can find something that works soon and I will just eat it everyday until he decides he is ready to come out!

It is funny that what works for others, doesn't for some. I was having high fasting numbers until I added dairy in at night. Now if I have a glass of milk, my numbers are fine. I don't like milk so this is fun

thanks for your feedback though- I am going to try it and see what happens!

BzeetyD

Are you limited to how many carbs you are recommended in the morning? Mine was 30g - compared to lunch and dinner, where I could have 60g.

I'd skip the toast, muffin or oatmeal bit and opt for something with more protein and/or fiber.  Do you like greek yogurt? That's really good for packing in the protein. Greek yogurt and nuts. A scrambled egg or two and 1/2 a english muffin or 1 piece of toast might work too.

Some women with GD have sensitivities to specific foods. For me, for whatever reason, it's white rice. The 2 or 3 times I tried having Thai food my numbers were really wonky, but potatoes, oatmeal, grains and dairy were fine. You might have a grain sensitivity.

Sorry it's giving you trouble. If you keep having issues no matter what you're eating, I'd call your doc or diabetes specialist and see if you need insulin.

PhillyJ33

@BzeetyD. Thanks for your comments! The nutrition counselor gave me a plan that said to eat "2 starches, 1 meat and 1 fat" for breakfast. She listed several examples- I tried all of the combinations (oatmeal, toast, english muffin, etc) and my number was always high. I was only eating the bread/oatmeal because it was their suggestion- I used to just eat hardboiled eggs for breakfast before all this started. Maybe I will try it again and only have half the muffin or none. I emailed the nutritionist today because the rest of my numbers are fine but I can't get this one down and she was no help. Gave me the same meal ideas that I told her I would try. I asked about insulin (I will ask my doctor next week as well when I meet with her) and her response was "you should be able to control it with diet."....um, I am trying!!! My diet wasn't too bad to begin with- I feel that I am eating more carbs now than before... sorry for the rant!

@richzep- i haven't tried PB in the morning yet (I do eat it at other times though) so I will definitely try that too! Thanks- I did pick up tortillas so maybe I'll see if that works for me.

thanks again, Ladies!!!

thecuddleeffect

Try less complex carbs, I made a smoothie with plain greek yogurt, unsweetened almond milk, blue berries, srawberries (frozen) and 1/2 a tbs of sugar

I added a serving of peanuts on the side to get my carb count right.

ETA: I can have 40g carbs for breakfast. Are you carb counting or a different way

BzeetyD

PhillyJ33 said:

@BzeetyD. Thanks for your comments! The nutrition counselor gave me a plan that said to eat "2 starches, 1 meat and 1 fat" for breakfast. She listed several examples- I tried all of the combinations (oatmeal, toast, english muffin, etc) and my number was always high. I was only eating the bread/oatmeal because it was their suggestion- I used to just eat hardboiled eggs for breakfast before all this started. Maybe I will try it again and only have half the muffin or none. I emailed the nutritionist today because the rest of my numbers are fine but I can't get this one down and she was no help. Gave me the same meal ideas that I told her I would try. I asked about insulin (I will ask my doctor next week as well when I meet with her) and her response was "you should be able to control it with diet."....um, I am trying!!! My diet wasn't too bad to begin with- I feel that I am eating more carbs now than before... sorry for the rant!

@richzep- i haven't tried PB in the morning yet (I do eat it at other times though) so I will definitely try that too! Thanks- I did pick up tortillas so maybe I'll see if that works for me.

thanks again, Ladies!!!

THIS!
This was true for me on their diet. I just went back to eating the way I was (I typically didn't have toast or cereal for breakfast - usually just greek yogurt) I did try to fit a bit more carbs into my later meals or snacks because I've struggled to gain weight.

PhillyJ33

&cuddleeffect they told me no fruit until the afternoon. @bzeetyd that is my problem with yogurt. I like it... But with fresh fruit!
I guess I am sort of carb counting. They broke up foods into a few groups and basically told me how much of each group to have at one time.
The carb group is 15g per serving. I can have 2 servings so 30g.
I hope I get the hang of it and find something...maybe I should venture away from their plan!

BzeetyD

Berries have a very low GI - so I think you can have like a cup and a half of strawberries for 15g of carbs! Berries with your yogurt might work. or some berries and a teeny bit of honey (obvs carb rich) or teeny bit of granola.

PhillyJ33

Thanks Ladies for all your tips! I got it down to 116 today! Peanut butter seemed to do the trick