My doctor gave me a list of foods that are low on the Glycemic index. (Meaning they don't peak your sugar as high.) If anyone is interested in it, I can try to scan it and upload here for all to see. Thanks @liljabeeand "No more Miss!" for the suggestions. The diabetic clinic is telling me that my meals should be 3 carb choices, which is 45 grams of carbs. That is more than I eat in a typical meal, and definitely not for breakfast. I do think 1 slice of peanut butter toast is one of the things I used a lot for breakfast last time and if I recall, that worked ok for me. That reminds me, I ran out of peanut butter and need to get some next time I'm at the store.
Well i still haven't had my diabetes class but I got my meter yesterday so I started taking my numbers and eating what I've read on here and researched is best. My fasting blood sugar was 95 and 2 hours after breakfast it was 85. It's kind of exciting to eat right and see the numbers be where they are supposed to be. It's only day 1 though so we will see how it goes.
@serah496 I've pretty much just cut out sugary drinks and limiting any processed white carbs, and my numbers have been good. I'm still having plenty of dairy and fruit - my dietician just said not to eat fruit before lunch and count my milk carbs toward my allowed amounts. Combining them with protein helps as well. Sounds like you're on the right track - good luck!
@lynnlove28 That's a great start - hopefully they'll stay that way! I think the whole testing thing is pretty interesting... I'm like my own little science experiment.
I am on day 6 of the diet and checking sugar. So far I'm responding very well to the diet. I get 30 carbs for breakfast, up to 60 each for lunch and dinner, and 3 snacks of 15-30. I bought the Quaker weight control oatmeal and my sugar was almost too low after breakfast so that might be an option for anyone really struggling with breakfast.
the only problem I'm having is forcing myself to eat all these separate meals and to incorporate the protein and fats. Before last week I primarily ate carbs (waffles, cereal) and I really don't like meat. I've lost a few pounds so we will see what my OB says about that this week.
Thanks for the replies! I appreciate all the support on this thread. Turns out my only high number is my AM fasting draw. I noticed that I need to eat something after dinner, but looks like all my choices were too carb-heavy (cheese, a few wheat thins, and an apricot, for example). My numbers are so close to being ok (usually 92-93). Anyone else in the same boat? Are people walking or exercising at night? Or do I just need to have no carbs before bed?
What have everyone's numbers been looking like and what did your nutritionist say they should be? I go to the class on Friday but I've started testing today and they've been good.
I had 2 cookies after I took my post-lunch sugar and then had mashed potatoes and corn with dinner and my 2 hour post dinner number was 69. All of this is so confusing to me right now.
@serah496 Lately my numbers are around 80-88 in the am. Have to be under 95. I eat a graham cracker, peanut butter, and 2% milk. It's worked for me for a long time, so I stick with it.
@Lynnlove28 my numbers have to be from 60-95 for fasting and under 120, 2 hours post meals.
My numbers have been under 90 for fasting. My post meal numbers have been all over the place. It really depends what and how much I eat. They've been anywhere from 60-145. Right now they're mostly around 110. I have about 3-4 high numbers (post meal, never have high fasting numbers) a week (mostly around 125) and my dietitian and Doctor think that's great. I've definitely had some ice cream, cake, and sweets here and there in between testing and those are the 145 type numbers. Last night I had an English muffin with my eggs and ham for dinner and I was at 136. That was sucky.
This is just me. I'm sure everyone is different though.
@Lynnlove28 I have not seen my dietician yet, but according to my OB today, fasting needs to be under 90. Most websites say 95. My fasting numbers have been 92-95, with the exceptions of a few nights when I had way too many carbs late at night (pretzels and hummus, popcorn) when the numbers were 110-120. 2 hours after eating, the level should be 120 or below. I have had readings from 85-120. Hope that helps.
@serah496 It's my first week testing, and my fasting numbers have been around 85-94. I found out if I stay up later (no sleeping at least 7 hours) and eat that bedtime snack too late, that fasting number gets higher. I tried adding some protein (like the unsweetened soymilk, only 5 carbs, or an egg) and/or fiber (cherry tomatoes) to the mix of snacks, and it helps a bit. Good luck!
@Lynnlove28 Here are the numbers given by my GD educator and endocrinologist: Before breakfast: <95 2 hr after meals: <121 (count 2 hours when start eating)
I've found out if I could take a walk after meals (even just 10-15 minutes), it helps my numbers a lot. When I got stuck in a long car ride or when it was crazy busy at the office (ate lunch at my desk and sat a lot all day), my glucose after meals were not pretty (130-140). If I had time to walk (I try to do 30 min after lunch), the 2 hr post meal number was usually 100-110.
Thanks for the numbers everyone! It is kind of frustrating how there isn't just a universal system that they go by. I guess we will see what they tell me at the class on Friday.
My Dr. wants me to be below 90 for fasting, and below 140 an hour after meals. I've been doing pretty well and have only had like 1 or 2 numbers above my goal do far this week. Today, my highest was after dinner in which I ate a decent portion of mashed potatoes and i was only at 117. I'm pretty much staying away from carbs almost completely for breakfast, but since I got more peanut butter today, I'm going to give peanut butter toast another try tomorrow and see how it goes. I want to eat more than eggs for breakfast!
I ate 1 slice of peanut butter toast and a little bit of cottage cheese and stayed 1 point below my goal this morning! Yay for eating something other than eggs!!
I'm told to have 3 carb choices (45 grams of carbs) for breakfast. Most days (Mon - Fri) I really don't have time to cook eggs in the morning, so I go for 2 slices of peanut butter toast or a sprouted grain cereal with unsweetened soymilk. Husband bought a plant-based protein shake from Costco that only has 13 grams of carbs, so I have that as well to get my protein. It's quick and convenient and so far it's working out for me (staying below the glucose limit after breakfast), but it gets a little boring.
What do you have as bedtime snacks? I rotate between combinations of a few items (milk, multigrain chips, apple, banana, cheddar bunny crackers, yogurt, cashews, etc.) and would like to throw more into the mix.
@jjang27 at my informational meeting they told us that we could have a cup of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for the night time snack. Most of them are under the carb count.
So I saw the dietician on Friday, who thought my diet choices were spot-on, which is great. Less great is that despite increasing my night time snack to 3/4 c of ice cream with almonds to meet my carb intake goal on her advice, my fasting numbers remain too high (95-96 usually). I was told to start testing ketones yesterday, and they are all the way up at moderate. It looks like I may be in for insulin or medication. Anyone else in this boat?
@serah496 My dietician hasn't said anything about testing for ketones, but I'm curious about it. Do you know what the indicator to start testing was? I'm actually worried about not getting enough carbs (I have two modes apparently - eat all the carbs or eat very low carb) but my dietician said as long as I don't feel weak or lightheaded, I'm fine. FX crossed you won't have to go the medication route!
I tend to eat pretty low carb except breakfast has been a struggle. I go back to my OB tomorrow and he'll look at my numbers and my food journal and tell me if he thinks I'm doing ok. He had no complaints last time, and I'm eating similarly this time. So I think I'll be good. I also have to take me pee cup with me to every visit, and they test for sugar and all that good stuff, so we'll see. As a side note, I found some Carb Smart ice cream and had some for a bed time snack last night. Super yummy!
@Lynnlove28 Ice cream sounds yummy! I'll have to look into that and find one that works for me. Thank you!
@serah496 My fasting numbers are borderline (90-94 recently). The FMU ketone has been at trace level consistently. My doctor looked at my first week's number and said he didn't want me to change anything yet. I have an appointment this Friday, and we'll see. Good luck to you! Fingers crossed for us both.
Has anyone else started losing weight since being diagnosed with GD? I was just to the Dr today, and i lost another pound. That's 2 pounds lost in a month, during a time when I would expect to be gaining. I know I'm eating healthier, and cleaner, and I remember losing a little when I had GD last time, I just wondered if it was common. This brings my weight gain total to only 8 pounds, and I'm 31 weeks.
@ShanRum3 I've lost 5-10 lbs in the last month from doing this gd diet. Which brings my total weight gain to around 15 or so lbs. My doctors weren't worried since baby boy is measuring big so obviously he's not suffering from my weight loss and he probably needs me to be healthier so he doesn't end up too big!
@Mfuller76 I think my OB office tests ketones as a matter of course with GD. I did some research, which basically says it is an indicator of either insufficient carb intake (body is breaking down fat cells for energy) or increased insulin resistance (plenty of blood glucose, but body thinks it needs to access fat stores because it is starving). Either way, many drs worry about the effects of ketones on the baby's body. I was told to call in if my fasting glucose was over 100 and if my ketones were small or above, since it might mean that I need medication/insulin. Really bad ketosis will make you super nauseated and headachy, so I would guess many drs just expect patients to report that. Also, my OB has been checking ketones in my normal urine tests.
@ShanRum3 I lost 3 pounds in a week. I am hoping that trend doesn't continue, though in a non-pg state I would be delighted. However, I did read that many drs worry about any weight loss in trimester 3 because it can indicate ketosis from insufficient carbs. But if your OB isn't worried, I wouldn't worry. (I have gained less than 10 lbs, and over 3 of them are baby).
Is anyone else having trouble keeping their after meal numbers down even though you are counting carbs and taking insulin? I am so frustrated by this. They started me out on 5 units of insulin before breakfast and dinner. Tonight I know I had fewer than 45 g of carbs, and my 2 hours after dinner number was still 133 (120 is what I should be under).
@meow719. Does your glucose spike with certain types of carbs? For instance I know I can handle whole wheat breads and milk products well but cirn on the cob, potatoes, or white bread spike my glucose. You might also consider the order you are eating in and how balanced your carb to protein and fats intake is. Counter intuitive though it might seem more fats can help slow down your digestion and slow the spiking of your glucose.
Hi ladies, I just received my test results today and failed (not a surprise, this runs in my family). My only concern is that I am almost 9 weeks away from my due date and due to work won't be able to meet with anyone for another week.... I am waiting on the dr's office to call me back to set-up appointment, but am not sure what to do in the meantime....
@sbelle474 I would recommend cutting out sugary drinks and processed white carbs, and making sure you're spreading the carbs you it (whole grains, veggies, fruits, milk) throughout the day.
I was in the same boat with having a week and a half between getting the call and my appointment, so that's what I did, and my dietician said to stay with that. I also started tracking food right away so that when I went in, we could look at any specific things I might need to change. hope that helps!
@liljabee I haven't really paid attention to that. I will try to keep track and see if I notice any patterns. I sent a message to the endocrinology office today, and they upped my insulin from 5 to 6 units.
Just got told I will be a diet controlled as I was doing the finger sticks instead of the three hour because my body couldn't handle that. Does anybody have some good recommendations for breakfast other than eggs?
@Gymmonkey, I seem to usually be ok with 1 slice of peanut butter toast. But it doesn't fill me up for long. Maybe you could have an egg with it. This morning, I had 2 eggs and 2 sausage patties, and was good. You can also dress up your eggs by adding meat, cheese, and or veggies and make an omelette.
@gymmonkey I've been eating avocado toast with cheese, tomato and hummus. Or else I'll eat leftovers from dinner - I'm not big on breakfast food to begin. I've also made a breakfast hash (sweet potatoes, onion, turkey sausage) when I'm sick of eggs.
I've started to see a few high numbers. I've had 2 so far and I have to check in with the diabetes center on Wednesday. I have a feeling they are going to refer me to an endocrinologist. Are they guaranteed to put you on insulin if they refer you?
Last friday was my nutritional class. Im 33 weeks today and found out I did not pass my One hr. Test 2 weeks ago.. Was going for my 3 hr. Testing and they skipped that test and sent me directly for the class and the whole gestational diabetis thing. A lot of emotions and anger is what I still feel and frustated because it seems I cant eat anything now. I have to measure my food, can eat this but cant eat that, and forgetful at times still. The other day i missed checking my blood for breakfast and lunch because i left it home. This just tops off what I currently have to do before labor. Work full time, cant seem to rest on my days off with all errands i do, cleaning, looking for a place.... Is just too much. And i still forget stuff... Uuugh. Just venting over here because this definetly sucks.... But all for the baby and his health. Hoping that all goes back to normal after baby is born and i learn to eat with out sugar beign too high. Hard to get the right meal when you dont have lots of $$ to buy what is good, and get the things needed. I can go on and on but ill stop. Hope to get better and dont have to poke myself for the rest of mylife... ✌
Re: Gestational Diabetes, management check in and discussion thread
Thanks @liljabee and "No more Miss!" for the suggestions. The diabetic clinic is telling me that my meals should be 3 carb choices, which is 45 grams of carbs. That is more than I eat in a typical meal, and definitely not for breakfast. I do think 1 slice of peanut butter toast is one of the things I used a lot for breakfast last time and if I recall, that worked ok for me. That reminds me, I ran out of peanut butter and need to get some next time I'm at the store.
@lynnlove28 That's a great start - hopefully they'll stay that way! I think the whole testing thing is pretty interesting... I'm like my own little science experiment.
the only problem I'm having is forcing myself to eat all these separate meals and to incorporate the protein and fats. Before last week I primarily ate carbs (waffles, cereal) and I really don't like meat. I've lost a few pounds so we will see what my OB says about that this week.
I had 2 cookies after I took my post-lunch sugar and then had mashed potatoes and corn with dinner and my 2 hour post dinner number was 69. All of this is so confusing to me right now.
Lately my numbers are around 80-88 in the am. Have to be under 95. I eat a graham cracker, peanut butter, and 2% milk. It's worked for me for a long time, so I stick with it.
@Lynnlove28
my numbers have to be from 60-95 for fasting and under 120, 2 hours post meals.
My numbers have been under 90 for fasting. My post meal numbers have been all over the place. It really depends what and how much I eat. They've been anywhere from 60-145. Right now they're mostly around 110. I have about 3-4 high numbers (post meal, never have high fasting numbers) a week (mostly around 125) and my dietitian and Doctor think that's great. I've definitely had some ice cream, cake, and sweets here and there in between testing and those are the 145 type numbers. Last night I had an English muffin with my eggs and ham for dinner and I was at 136. That was sucky.
This is just me. I'm sure everyone is different though.
It's my first week testing, and my fasting numbers have been around 85-94. I found out if I stay up later (no sleeping at least 7 hours) and eat that bedtime snack too late, that fasting number gets higher. I tried adding some protein (like the unsweetened soymilk, only 5 carbs, or an egg) and/or fiber (cherry tomatoes) to the mix of snacks, and it helps a bit. Good luck!
@Lynnlove28
Here are the numbers given by my GD educator and endocrinologist:
Before breakfast: <95
2 hr after meals: <121 (count 2 hours when start eating)
I've found out if I could take a walk after meals (even just 10-15 minutes), it helps my numbers a lot. When I got stuck in a long car ride or when it was crazy busy at the office (ate lunch at my desk and sat a lot all day), my glucose after meals were not pretty (130-140). If I had time to walk (I try to do 30 min after lunch), the 2 hr post meal number was usually 100-110.
I agree. Eggs are pretty blah these days. Of course there's ways to spice them up a little. But still I'm a little turned off right now.
@ShanRum3
That's great! Did it fill you up?
Good to know. Breakfast is now upon me. Ugh what to eat? Lol
What do you have as bedtime snacks?
I rotate between combinations of a few items (milk, multigrain chips, apple, banana, cheddar bunny crackers, yogurt, cashews, etc.) and would like to throw more into the mix.
As a side note, I found some Carb Smart ice cream and had some for a bed time snack last night. Super yummy!
@serah496 My fasting numbers are borderline (90-94 recently). The FMU ketone has been at trace level consistently. My doctor looked at my first week's number and said he didn't want me to change anything yet. I have an appointment this Friday, and we'll see. Good luck to you! Fingers crossed for us both.
@ShanRum3 I lost 3 pounds in a week. I am hoping that trend doesn't continue, though in a non-pg state I would be delighted. However, I did read that many drs worry about any weight loss in trimester 3 because it can indicate ketosis from insufficient carbs. But if your OB isn't worried, I wouldn't worry. (I have gained less than 10 lbs, and over 3 of them are baby).
I was in the same boat with having a week and a half between getting the call and my appointment, so that's what I did, and my dietician said to stay with that. I also started tracking food right away so that when I went in, we could look at any specific things I might need to change. hope that helps!
@mfuller76 Thank you. I hate to think I am somehow "damaging" the little guy while waiting for the doctor to get it together.