Gestational Diabetes - Craving Control

VexyMommy · June 2015

I didn't see this answered in other gestational diabetes discussions on here so I figured I'd ask. What are some of your go to's for snacks and meals? I was recently diagnosed and am doing my best to keep my sugar in check through diet/exercise alone. I need variety and sweet stuff though.

Right now I'm doing green beans with parmesan, nuts, or a piece of fruit for snacks. I did have a 1/2 cup of ice cream the other night (the carb count was 18 for that amount) and it was heavenly. Any suggestions you've got to keep this mama on track with her goals would be greatly appreciated.

jessilee15 · June 2015

I don't have GDM, but I'm trying to watch my intake because I've got a strong family history of diabetes. I love the Dasani water flavors (especially pink lemonade!). Popcorn, while a carb, has so much fiber in it it doesn't bump your glucose levels much. Bell peppers and hummus is a great snack too. Edamame is a great snack food, as are nuts - some of the flavored varieties are especially delicious (like the cocoa ones) for few carbs...if you tell us what you're craving we can help more!

Also chobani makes lower sugar Greek yogurt in their 100 calorie line

VexyMommy · June 2015

Unfortunately I'm typically craving things like mashed potatoes and mac & cheese which except in really small doses (just enough to be annoying) are no no's. I'm also craving chocolate on occasion. Cocoa on nuts is a great idea. Thank you.

Edit: I've done a little more research into the information I was provided and online and realized I'd assumed all meals had to stay under 30g of carbs. What I've read since then is that's only for breakfast and I have up to 60g to play with at lunch and dinner. That's helpful.

Edit 2: It's almost less about what I'm craving than the fact that I'm constantly hungry right now. About every 2 - 3 hours I want at least a snack.

jessilee15 · June 2015

Have you tried the weight watchers "mashed potatoes" made with cauliflower? And it's still carbs, but they make some pasta with whole grain that is lower glycemic index. They also make a frozen Greek yogurt that comes in chocolate. Still carbs, but better!

Pontot31 · June 2015

Do you have access to a nutritionist as part of your managing plan? I bet they could give you ideas.

I bet there are some GD Facebook groups or blogs with ideas too.

I am fearing this. I failed my early 1 hour by 2 point and have to take the 3 hour. I still puke if I go more than 3 hours with out eating so my midwife gave me a few more weeks to do it. I had a 9 and a half pound baby last time so I have to test early.

VexyMommy · June 2015

Those are all great ideas. I haven't been able to see the nutritionist yet. I really can't take off work until next Friday at the earliest.

Ceridwen77 · June 2015

Try looking up some paleo recipes. A few good sites - https://nomnompaleo.com & https://paleomg.com

Those people know how to use cauliflower in some pretty amazing ways - rice, pizza crust, etc.

wedding crazed · June 2015

I snacked on a lot of cheese and nuts. Plain non-fat greek yogurt is about all you can have really as a snack. My hubby is a CPA at a nutritional supplement company and they make this low-carb protein bar for diabetics. Tastes great and only 15 carbs so excellent snack choice on the go. You could look for something like that. My sweet tooth "treat" was nutella on a mini bagel. Hummus and veggies. My worse was breakfast as I was so sick of eggs by the end. Good luck! The nutritionist should be able to give you some ideas.

pink*sheep · June 2015

Ceridwen77 said:
Try looking up some paleo recipes. A few good sites - https://nomnompaleo.com & https://paleomg.com

Those people know how to use cauliflower in some pretty amazing ways - rice, pizza crust, etc.

This. I made an amazing bbq pizza with the crust made out of ground chicken!!

ahowell88 · June 2015

I had GD with both my previous pregnancies and assume I will be diagnosed this time also. My go to snacks were Avocado with Sriracha (if you like spicy) or a little ranch (if you don't do spicy) or string cheese with pepperoni (high in fat and calories, but low carb). I always have a hard time keeping my calorie count up since I cut out so many carbs. Also, taco salads (greens, seasoned lean ground beef, cheese and salsa), tuna salad roll-ups(in lettuce) and Greek yogurt (Oikos Zero - sweetened with Stevia not an artificial sweetener). For sweet snacks, I really only did frozen berries with a little real whipped cream.

dogsombrero · June 2015

Pontot31 said:

Do you have access to a nutritionist as part of your managing plan? I bet they could give you ideas. I bet there are some GD Facebook groups or blogs with ideas too. I am fearing this. I failed my early 1 hour by 2 point and have to take the 3 hour. I still puke if I go more than 3 hours with out eating so my midwife gave me a few more weeks to do it. I had a 9 and a half pound baby last time so I have to test early.

I've never heard of testing early based on large babies. My son was 10# 14oz and they kept checking my sugars because they were nervous I had GD and didn't. Crud I hate the testing.

oliviaann91 · June 2015

Oikos makes frozen Greek yogurt that is pretty good and comes in chocolate, I've been eating that when I want I've cream. And I made spaghetti the other night and cooked a spaghetti squash for the first time and ate that instead of noodles and it was really good! Pinterest has all kinds of pasta recipes you can make with it. I'm not sure if it's ok as far as carb counting and GDM goes, but I know it's a lot healthier in general than regular noodles.

Pontot31 · June 2015

dogsombrero said:

Pontot31 said:

Do you have access to a nutritionist as part of your managing plan? I bet they could give you ideas.

I bet there are some GD Facebook groups or blogs with ideas too.

I am fearing this. I failed my early 1 hour by 2 point and have to take the 3 hour. I still puke if I go more than 3 hours with out eating so my midwife gave me a few more weeks to do it. I had a 9 and a half pound baby last time so I have to test early.

I've never heard of testing early based on large babies. My son was 10# 14oz and they kept checking my sugars because they were nervous I had GD and didn't. Crud I hate the testing.

Apparently it is a new policy. Shocked me at my first appointment.
My daughter weighed 9#3oz by the time we got to weighing her 2 hours after birth but she had pooped 3 times! The nurses guessed she was actually closer to 10, if not more.

Edited to add: I was also a week overdue and had been on bed rest for 6 weeks due to high BP. Of course I grew a big baby! And my husband is 6ft3.

MargaretC5 · June 2015

Pontot31 said:

dogsombrero said:

Pontot31 said:

Do you have access to a nutritionist as part of your managing plan? I bet they could give you ideas.

I bet there are some GD Facebook groups or blogs with ideas too.

I am fearing this. I failed my early 1 hour by 2 point and have to take the 3 hour. I still puke if I go more than 3 hours with out eating so my midwife gave me a few more weeks to do it. I had a 9 and a half pound baby last time so I have to test early.

I've never heard of testing early based on large babies. My son was 10# 14oz and they kept checking my sugars because they were nervous I had GD and didn't. Crud I hate the testing.

Apparently it is a new policy. Shocked me at my first appointment.
My daughter weighed 9#3oz by the time we got to weighing her 2 hours after birth but she had pooped 3 times! The nurses guessed she was actually closer to 10, if not more.

Edited to add: I was also a week overdue and had been on bed rest for 6 weeks due to high BP. Of course I grew a big baby! And my husband is 6ft3.

I got tested for GD already also because DS was over 9lbs. He was 2 weeks late and I had been on bed rest for 4 weeks. Towards the end of your 3rd trimester the baby can gain up to a pound a week. Of course we are going to have big babies when they take their sweet time coming out.

My mom had GD when she was pregnant with my sister. She was a month early and almost 10 pounds.... in a situation like that I completely understand testing early for GD with future pregnancies.

thegingeravenger · June 2015

Ceridwen77 said:

Try looking up some paleo recipes. A few good sites - https://nomnompaleo.com & https://paleomg.com Those people know how to use cauliflower in some pretty amazing ways - rice, pizza crust, etc.

You can also check out some keto recipes. I don't know much about GD, but keto is a the low carb/high fat/high protein way of eating. I had some gooooodddd eats on that way of eating. I don't know how healthy it is for pregnant women, but a properly made fatbomb is amazing and low carb. They take some getting use to and some recipe tampering but yum! If they are a no no while growing a human, please disregard everything about them!

grapesoda1111 · June 2015

I'm not familiar with all the ins and outs of diabetes but if you are looking for low carb, Breyers makes this awesome low carb ice cream (in chocolate and vanilla) and I also use Dreamfields noodles, they are also low carb. In a black box.

ETA: or if anyone is looking for low carb, I love these 2 items.

EMLarie · June 2015

For DD, I also got tested early, passed it, but still had to do a 3 hour because I was gaining so much weight (still passed it too). My baby was about 10 lbs and we both suffered injuries at her birth. This time, my OB is trying to avoid my previous experience by having me count my carbs and not gain so much weight. It is awful because I love rice and pasta.

To curb my carb cravings, I've been eating cheese, pan-fried salami, olives, pickles, natural pb and banana (made like a sundae) and hard boiled eggs. These are for snacks and the eggs are for breakfast as well. It still stresses me out because I feel like where I'm cutting in carbs, I'm just adding a ton of fat and salt.

OP: I'm with you.

Pontot31 · June 2015

MargaretC5 said:

Pontot31 said:

dogsombrero said:

Pontot31 said:

Do you have access to a nutritionist as part of your managing plan? I bet they could give you ideas.

I bet there are some GD Facebook groups or blogs with ideas too.

I am fearing this. I failed my early 1 hour by 2 point and have to take the 3 hour. I still puke if I go more than 3 hours with out eating so my midwife gave me a few more weeks to do it. I had a 9 and a half pound baby last time so I have to test early.

I've never heard of testing early based on large babies. My son was 10# 14oz and they kept checking my sugars because they were nervous I had GD and didn't. Crud I hate the testing.
Apparently it is a new policy. Shocked me at my first appointment.
My daughter weighed 9#3oz by the time we got to weighing her 2 hours after birth but she had pooped 3 times! The nurses guessed she was actually closer to 10, if not more.

Edited to add: I was also a week overdue and had been on bed rest for 6 weeks due to high BP. Of course I grew a big baby! And my husband is 6ft3.

I got tested for GD already also because DS was over 9lbs. He was 2 weeks late and I had been on bed rest for 4 weeks. Towards the end of your 3rd trimester the baby can gain up to a pound a week. Of course we are going to have big babies when they take their sweet time coming out.

My mom had GD when she was pregnant with my sister. She was a month early and almost 10 pounds.... in a situation like that I completely understand testing early for GD with future pregnancies.

Exactly! All I did was eat and sleep for 6 weeks. Of course I grew a big kid! And she has stayed huge too.

Ceridwen77 · June 2015

thegingeravenger said:

Ceridwen77 said:

Try looking up some paleo recipes. A few good sites - https://nomnompaleo.com & https://paleomg.com

Those people know how to use cauliflower in some pretty amazing ways - rice, pizza crust, etc.

You can also check out some keto recipes. I don't know much about GD, but keto is a the low carb/high fat/high protein way of eating. I had some gooooodddd eats on that way of eating. I don't know how healthy it is for pregnant women, but a properly made fatbomb is amazing and low carb. They take some getting use to and some recipe tampering but yum! If they are a no no while growing a human, please disregard everything about them!

----------
What is this "fatbomb" that you speak of?

TallyKyle · June 2015

I was tested very early because I have a family history. I've known about my GD since 9 weeks. I am always hungry now, so I know your pain. Try chocolate covered nuts, fruit, or even fruit snacks. Carrots also have a natural sweetness that might help curb the craving. I also got myself some low sugar fudge pops and ice cream sandwiches. I also will make myself a peanut butter sandwich with a few chocolate chips! Just watch the labels and you will be able to find foods that fill that craving but are well within your carb budget.

thegingeravenger · June 2015

Ceridwen77 said:

thegingeravenger said:

Ceridwen77 said:

Try looking up some paleo recipes. A few good sites - https://nomnompaleo.com & https://paleomg.com

Those people know how to use cauliflower in some pretty amazing ways - rice, pizza crust, etc.

You can also check out some keto recipes. I don't know much about GD, but keto is a the low carb/high fat/high protein way of eating. I had some gooooodddd eats on that way of eating. I don't know how healthy it is for pregnant women, but a properly made fatbomb is amazing and low carb. They take some getting use to and some recipe tampering but yum! If they are a no no while growing a human, please disregard everything about them!

----------
What is this "fatbomb" that you speak of?

https://nobunplease.com/fat-bombs-low-carb-chocolate-bonbons/

This is the run down of what they are. They sound kind of icky when you just read about them, but they can be really good! They do make an unholy mess of your kitchen as a heads up and start to melt very quickly when you start to eat them.

Anyone who is just trying to be lower carb and not necessarily "keto" could probably play with a recipe to make it less fat/slightly higher carb. That website has a master list of several other fat bomb recipes that sound delicious!

VexyMommy · June 2015

These suggestions all sound great. I'm excited to try some of them. I found some other fat bomb recipes on pinterest and may make a few of them this weekend. I appreciate the help.

VexyMommy · June 2015

Another diabetes/diet related question. Do you measure your food? I've re-started using MyFitnessPal, a food and exercise tracking website so I can get a better idea of my calories and keep a food log to show my doctor's alongside my blood sugar log. I've considered measuring out my food (mostly snacks) into individual servings to keep me on track. Have you ever done it? Did you find it more help than hassle?

EMLarie · June 2015

I only measure the "carby" stuff so I know how many carbs I'm getting. Cereal, bread, rice, pretzels, etc.

ahowell88 · June 2015

What OP said! I kept track of the foods I ate in a food log, but only kept track of carbs number wise.

VexyMommy · June 2015

That makes sense. Thank you.

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