Cutting Carbs ::cry face::

LittleBitt · February 2016

So my Dr informed me yesterday that I passed my Glucose test by literally one point. He wanted to make me take the 3 hour but said as long as I promise to control my carb and sugar intake he won't. But he will be watching me. So now I'm freaking out for several reasons.

As someone that suffered from an eating disorder for years, I've found pregnancy to be wonderful and probably did go a little overboard on the sweets. I have not refused myself one thing that I wanted and it's been a novelty of a good time. I gained a sweet tooth that I've literally never had and I've found a love of food again that I hadn't had in years. So now comes the hard part of cutting back and forcing myself to be more aware of what I'm eating. I'm concerned a) that I don't know how to eat without carbs anymore, and b) with a fear of relapse due to a need to watch what I eat again.

Anyone have any advice on how to tiptoe this delicate line and also if you're having to watch your foods what did you eat instead of something else?

Thanks!

saladflambe · February 2016

I'm a huge fan of ThinSlim foods -- their bread, pasta, bars, etc. are really good and ridiculously low-carb.
https://www.thinslimfoods.com/

MrsO11/24/2006 · February 2016

In my honest opinion, I would probably go for the three hour test just to know for sure. Good luck!

LittleBitt · February 2016

saladflambe said:

I'm a huge fan of ThinSlim foods -- their bread, pasta, bars, etc. are really good and ridiculously low-carb.
https://www.thinslimfoods.com/

Thank you!! I'll take a look at them. Anything to not live without pasta and bread! Have you tried those from there? do they taste better than cardboard?

Chappy_jr · February 2016

I would cut back on refined carbs (bread, cereal & pasta) but keep something sweet each day so you don't feel deprived. My nightly snack when I need something sweet is an apple with nutella. The nutella isn't healthy by any means but it's also better than a bowl of ice cream! When you cut back on carbs you should replace them with healthy fats (nuts, quality vegetable fats) and veggies so you stay full.

cortney626 · February 2016

Try not to look at it as certain foods are off limits but focus on healthier alternatives. Instead of a pasta dish, use spaghetti squash as "pasta", etc. I like a chocolate protein shake to satisfy my sweet tooth. Setting up complete restrictions thought usually sets up people for failure and negative relationships with food.

mrstmoose · February 2016

Honestly, as a social worker, I would advise you to get assistance from a nutritionist or a mental health professional just to walk you through all of this. Eating disorders are very real and very scary and you don't want your mind to go back to "that place." If you google eating disorder clinics in your area, something should come up. Or discuss this with your OB and ask him to refer you to a nutritionist.

kbrands7 · February 2016

I agree with PPs that the focus shouldn't be so much on eliminating choices as it is about eating healthier versions of things. Another strategy is to limit carbs during several meals, but give yourself a free meal per day. For example, no or low carb breakfast and lunch, but eat what you want for dinner even if it's full of pasta/bread/potatoes etc. This is what I do to keep my weight in check to some extent. At breakfast, I usually have eggs and yogurt-- or I'll have a more protein-dense carb like oats. At lunch, I tend to have salads with veggies, nuts, and cheese. Dinner is then free-reign, but usually a balanced meal of some kind. Sometimes it's a fun calorie-splurge like burritos, pizza, or Chinese take-out. That said, this strategy is only viable if you truly don't have GD. If there's doubt, you need to be sure to balance your carbs with protein carefully. I'd definitely ask your doctor for a referral/recommendation to a nutritionist and to consider checking in with a therapist.

LittleBitt · February 2016

Thank you everyone! I have looked into alternatives for ways to cut carbs but still be left satisfied. For sure I will need to curb my cupcake and ice cream addiction but I think looking for healthier snacks will keep me full. I was mostly concerned with feeling like I couldn't eat anything anymore but I see that's not the case. I also have an appointment with my therapist, who has been through everything with me, so that she can help keep me on the path that I've chosen vs the path the ED chose for me. I feel better already. Thank you all again. And if you have any specific brands or foods to try please let me know as I'm all ears!

nerdymama15 · February 2016

The carb thing isn't that bad actually. I have to do it for GD. 15g of carbs counts as 1 carb. So you can pretty much round up or down with things that have weird numbers. You can fit your sweet stuff, your pasta, and your bread into your carb counts. Lots of veggies are free and don't count. For example for lunch I'm supposed to have four to five carbs. The other day I ate a Lean Cuisine meal that was one carb. Then I had 6 Tottino pizza bites where were one carb. I had four Halos which were 2 carbs. That was a lot to eat. You can still figure out ways to get by. You can fit your sweet tooth into your daily carb counts as well. You just have to watch portion sizes. Like a pp mentioned spaghetti squash is an alternative to pasta. You can find several delicious recipes online or even youtube. You can use cauliflower and make a no carb bread, or substitute it for potatoes.

Knottie30128190 · February 2016

As a registered dietitian who counsels gestational diabetes patients, I agree with pp and say don't worry so much about cutting carbs but choosing better carbs like whole grains, fresh fruits, and drinking more water than sugar sweetened beverages. Also think about the timing of when you eat. For instance if you had breakfast and you are already hungry an hour later, what can you chose that will make you feel fuller longer or can you eat some protein or raw vegetables?
Keep the mindset you seem to have found again of enjoying food and not letting things get labeled or stigmatized. Listening to your body is just as important if not more important than the numbers.
Good luck!

JennyS86 · February 2016

Seeing an RD is a great choice if you have that option.
I personally agree with your doctor to talk about eating healthy rather than do the 3 hr test - I hope my doctor will do the same!
Lately, dessert is my downfall, so rather than the ice cream and candy, I eat a greek yogurt and a small portion of candy or a cookie. There is no reason to completely abstain from sweets - but I feel better if I eat less in the long run anyway!

michellabanana · February 2016

cortney626 said:

Try not to look at it as certain foods are off limits but focus on healthier alternatives. Instead of a pasta dish, use spaghetti squash as "pasta", etc. I like a chocolate protein shake to satisfy my sweet tooth. Setting up complete restrictions thought usually sets up people for failure and negative relationships with food.

michellabanana · February 2016

Ooops lol... I meant to say I love spaghetti squash! Have not gone back! I also will wrap my turkey burger in lettuce. I wonder if gluten free pasta would help? I guess it depends on the amount of sugar in it? I had spinach spaghetti before, and if you don't mind green spaghetti its pretty good (its kind of fun lol)

I have just kept to fruits for sweet snacks (I know so boring lol) still sugar but I guess better

JoMunson · February 2016

I can only speak from my experience as also someone who had disordered eating and has found comfort in pregnancy. From what I've read, the one hour GD test has some flaws to it, and tends to "catch" more women as positive or near positive than is actually true, so you passing by one point means you passed and are fine. That said, if you feel like cutting back on sugars and carbs would be good for your health, go for it! I try and stick to whole wheat grains and avoid simple/white grains. I've also taken to avoiding soda, as it contains about 50 grams of sugar (aka, the same amount as the glucose test!). You can totally do it!

gardenandread · February 2016

I had GD with my son and I'm following the diet this time around rather than do the three hour test after I failed the one hour by 2 points. That said you don't necessarily need to cut carbs completely but should limit them. My nutritionist said 60g per meal, 15g for morning and afternoon snacks, and 30g at bedtime. I love my carbs so I tend to use all of them that I can while focusing on upping my protein. Exercise also helps control your sugar levels. I still have sweet stuff everyday I just switched what it was I was eating. Sugar free pudding instead of regular, or an ice cream bar instead of a bowl (that way I know for sure how much I am eating.). If you don't want to worry about the diet maybe try the three hour and see if you pass. I got horribly sick the last time I took it so for me I opted straight into the diet.

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