Gestational Diabetes- How many Carbs?

Phoebe623 · May 2011

I am going to start following the GD diet since I am high risk of GD, and I googled and found quite a few different amounts for carbs.

How many are you allowed to have each meal, and do you subtract the fiber to solve for net carbs or just use the straight carb number?

Thanks for your help in advance!

memali26 · May 2011

I was told to use straight carb counts and not to subtract the fiber, but to look for things that are high in fiber as it will help your blood sugar raise more slowly.

Number of carbs allowed depends on your tolerance level/activity level/size/how much weight you need to or should gain. Dietitians generally have a system to figure out a meal plan for each specific patient. My guidelines are:

Breakfast - 23 grams carbs (I usually only do 10-15 because my numbers spike early in the day, my dietitian is okay with that)

AM/Afternoon snack - 15 grams carbs

Lunch/Dinner - 30 grams carbs plus 8 oz milk (which is an additional 15 grams carbs)

PM snack - 30-45 grams of carbs. That's higher than most, but we're having trouble with me spilling ketones so I eat a more carb heavy snack and compensate with insulin to control the ketones.

memali26 · May 2011

Also, remember that the diet won't prevent GD. Following it before you're diagnosed (not everyone who is high risk for GD ends up with it) isn't a bad idea, though, as it will mean you're already in the habit of counting your carbs and that may be helpful in getting things under control faster.

Sarafuss · May 2011

I just eat the carb amount and don't subtract the fiber amounts.

For breakfast I am supposed to have 30g carbs, morning snack 30g, lunch 45g, afternoon snack 30g, dinner 60g, and evening snack 15g. I think the diet plan varies per person though.

Phoebe623 · May 2011

Thanks ladies!

I guess that is why I get different carb numbers when I googled it!

I know it doesn't prevent it from happening, but since baby is already 18oz at 21 weeks per ultrasound, I figure I need to do something proactively!

Thanks for your help!

soontobe05 · May 2011

It is different for everyone. Mine is 30 for breakfast 15 for snacks between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner, 45 for both lunch and dinner and 30 for after dinner/before bed snack.

memali26 · May 2011

Another thing - I'm not trying to sound "preachy" so I hope it doesn't sound that way - be very careful with low carb diets, especially while pregnant. Make sure to discuss it with your dr and make sure what you're doing is safe for you specifically. GD patients are closely followed and monitored by doctors and dietitians to make sure their plan and, if needed, meds are working for them and keeping them and their baby healthy. Please talk to your dr to make sure you can do the same.

Okay, getting off my soap box now

Phoebe623 · May 2011

memali26:

Another thing - I'm not trying to sound "preachy" so I hope it doesn't sound that way - be very careful with low carb diets, especially while pregnant. Make sure to discuss it with your dr and make sure what you're doing is safe for you specifically. GD patients are closely followed and monitored by doctors and dietitians to make sure their plan and, if needed, meds are working for them and keeping them and their baby healthy. Please talk to your dr to make sure you can do the same.

Okay, getting off my soap box now

No worries, I started overweight and my doc wanted me to follow a loose diabetic diet from the beginning.

Admittedly, I haven't been doing so well, and with the high baby weight he reaffirmed low carb diet.

Thanks for all of your help!

jcsumm0 · May 2011

My dietician said you can do net carbs but only if there is at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. I get 30 carbs for breakfast and snacks (3 per day) and 45 at lunch and dinner.

Nadiaz · May 2011

I don't subtract the fiber.

I'm allowed 20-30g carbs for meals and 10-15g carbs for snacks. This includes milk (so I switched to almond milk). They also told me not to eat any fruit in the mornings.

Dani0701 · May 2011

My GD diet just got a lot more strict. They told me to only look at the TOTAL CARBS on the nutritional info. This is what I'm allowed to have:

Breakfast: 15g

Snack 1: 15g

Lunch: 45g

Snack 2: 15g

Dinner: 60g

Snack 3: 30g

I also found a website that gives the info of lots of places and foods: www.calorieking.com

MrsCali_Bride · May 2011

I was allowed 30 for breakfast, 30 for each snack and 45-60 for lunch & dinner. My fasting numbers had to be between 60 & 89 and my numbers had to be between 90 & 129 one hour after the first bite of my meals.

Gestational Diabetes- How many Carbs?

Re: Gestational Diabetes- How many Carbs?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards