Type 1 - Getting enough calories?

Heartwood0519 · March 2014

At my first visit with my Diabetes Specialist, I asked if there was a specific carb limit per meal. She said I shouldn't go over 45 carbs each meal and only have 15 or so per snack. I've been having a hard time sticking to that guideline because I feel that I'm not getting enough food to eat. So far today (it's 1:30pm here) I've been following that guideline and I've only consumed approximately 650 calories. By the time dinner time rolls around, I feel so hungry that I choose unhealthy meals that are usually high in fat and end up affecting my blood sugar.

I should be eating around at least 2000 calories a day, but I just can't seem to find the balance of eating healthy, limiting carbs, and feeling satisfied. Any ideas on good meals for us T1 pregnant ladies?

heie0008 · March 2014

No offense to your diabetes specialist but I think she may be limiting you too much.

I have diabetes myself and I have worked with patients with diabetes in the past with some meal planning. I tend to limit most people (myself included) to about 60 grams of carb per meal and snacks can go up to 30 grams. Not all my snacks and meals have that much carb but some do.

In general you want about 45-50% of your calories coming from carbs...so at a 2000 calories that puts you around 225-250 carbs per day. You can probably go a little lower than this but I wouldn't go too much lower. So if you ate the way you were told and ate 3 meals and 3 snacks you only end up with 180 carbs/day...this is too little.

Granted...I am not YOUR medical professional but I would question that amount of carbs you were told to eat. I would call and talk to someone about this or ask your next appointment.

As for snacks and meals...I tend to have fruits (an apple or a prepackaged fruit cup), veggies w/dip (I'm a huge fan right now of cucumbers with salad dressing), applesauce, cheesesticks, nuts, fiber 1 one bars (or something like that)--the higher fiber helps me a lot, mini sized bagels w/cream cheese, salads

kks4471 · March 2014

I met with a dietician in my first trimester, and she told me I could eat as much as 60 grams of carbs per meal, and about 2000 calories per day. I typically eat around 50 grams of carbs for each meal. I've been eating more fruit, veggies, yogurt, and peanut butter for snacks.

tpete12 · March 2014

I tend to eat 30 carbs for breakfast and 50 to 60 at lunch and supper. My snacks vary on the day. If I know I am going to eat something high in carb, I simply do a unit or two of extra insulin. What is ideal for you, may not be ideal for me and vice versa. Good luck!

wells2010 · March 2014

That sounds a bit low to me, especially since during the 1st tri you aren't experiencing insulin resistance yet. When I was pregnant, I barely had an appetite, so I just ate what I could. A lot of times I'd need to eat more carbs since I would drop low frequently. I would do what works for you and just make sure you are keeping your blood sugar levels within range. I had to cut out any oatmeal or breakfast cereals since I would spike sky high, but I could eat the same amount of carbs in other foods without the same effect.

TaylorHam86 · March 2014

Oh man. My doctor has never given me any limits, during or before pregnancy. I feel like that would be helpful for me. As far as you're concerned, those limits do seem very low. I think PPs covered it though.

Heartwood0519 · March 2014

Thank you, everyone. I'm just having a really hard time right now with having diabetes. I've never been one to accept that I have this disease, so a really strict change like this is super hard.

TaylorHam86 · March 2014

Heartwood0519 said:
Thank you, everyone. I'm just having a really hard time right now with having diabetes. I've never been one to accept that I have this disease, so a really strict change like this is super hard.

I've always been pretty resistant to it, too. Partly because my body never responds the way it "should." My blood sugars have always been completely unpredictable. Highs and lows all over the place. It's extremely frustrating and it makes me feel like well, if it's not going to do what I want it to, I might as well eat whatever I want anyway, enjoy it and just take extra insulin. I'm a bad diabetic. How long since you were diagnosed? My blood sugars have actually been better than ever since I got pregnant, although they're still far from perfect. Knock on wood, it hasn't presented any problems for me or LO that anyone is aware of. I wish the same for you and yours.

Heartwood0519 · March 2014

TaylorHam86 said:

Thank you, everyone. I'm just having a really hard time right now with having diabetes. I've never been one to accept that I have this disease, so a really strict change like this is super hard.
I've always been pretty resistant to it, too. Partly because my body never responds the way it "should." My blood sugars have always been completely unpredictable. Highs and lows all over the place. It's extremely frustrating and it makes me feel like well, if it's not going to do what I want it to, I might as well eat whatever I want anyway, enjoy it and just take extra insulin. I'm a bad diabetic. How long since you were diagnosed? My blood sugars have actually been better than ever since I got pregnant, although they're still far from perfect. Knock on wood, it hasn't presented any problems for me or LO that anyone is aware of. I wish the same for you and yours.

I was diagnosed in 2006 right after I turned 21. My blood sugars have been great since being pregnant and even the months leading up to pregnancy. But I've always eaten whatever I wanted and just take the extra insulin for it when needed. If I had a high after a meal, it didn't bother me; I just corrected and went on my way. I also have never limited my carb intake and had gotten pretty good at guessing the carbs in any given meal. I knew pregnancy would change that, but I didn't think it would be as hard as it is!

TaylorHam86 · April 2014

I'm the same way. I haven't gotten much better with pregnancy though. I was a lot better for the first half, but the second half the cravings really hit me hard and I fell off the wagon. I'm really hoping it won't affect/hasn't affected my baby. I know that sounds really selfish and naive. I'm envious of women who can handle it. I wish you lots of luck!

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