GD Club Check-In

phoebecar · September 2016

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and Monday!

How are you numbers this week?

What's your favorite snack that you've found you can eat without your sugars spiking?

If you could travel one place in the entire world, and money is no object, where would you go and why?

Rants/Raves/Questions?

phoebecar · September 2016

phoebecar said:
How are you numbers this week? Overall, not too bad. I had a few spikes but I contribute that to my peanut butter and 1/2 of a banana sandwich I had one night for dinner- even though it was all well within my carb limit. I also had a really emotional night so my dietician thinks that could have been as much of a contributing factor as anything else. I haven't tried the sandwich again though.
What's your favorite snack that you've found you can eat without your sugars spiking? I eat 1/4 cup of nonfat, plain greek yogurt with 1 cup of cut up strawberries. It helps the taste of the plain greek yogurt and helps with my sweet tooth at the same time. Wins all around! I have also found that Wheat Thins have a bit of a sweet taste and if you combine that with chicken salad as a "dipper" it's not too bad. Those are my go-to's during the week.
If you could travel one place in the entire world, and money is no object, where would you go and why? Oh so many places- so many things to see and explore. I would love to go to French Polynesia (Bora Bora)- something about it seems so peaceful and romantic- but a week there at a nice resort can run you $20K for an over the water bungalow. I would also like to tour Italy. I'm a big wine person and that's something that would totally interest me!
Rants/Raves/Questions? I had my final appointment with my dietitian yesterday and everything went well. She said my numbers were pretty good but didn't analyze my diet at all for the previous week to determine if I was getting everything I should or if my diet contained too many calories. I was slightly disappointed in that, but I'm sure after looking at my numbers, maybe she thought it wasn't necessary?
I have my next OB appointment on Monday, which I'm kind of nervous about. The baby is already measuring weeks ahead and is already 3 pounds- I wonder if the rate of growth slows down as your sugars are contained? So I'm anxious to get that question answered.

Carly79 · September 2016

How are you numbers this week? So far really good. My doctor was happy with them today.

What's your favorite snack that you've found you can eat without your sugars spiking? The Monster trailmix from Target (1/4 cup).

If you could travel one place in the entire world, and money is no object, where would you go and why? England, France, and Italy...so much history there to see and learn about.

Rants/Raves/Questions? To follow up on my question last week, the doctor today said that if my sugars continue to be controlled with diet and I don't need to go on meds that nothing really changes in what they do. As we get closer I'll have another ultra sound to double check growth but if all is good I'm good to go.

sammyl1221 · September 2016

How are you numbers this week? great! No spikes. I did notice that when I had a donut on Sunday it was my highest number at 120...even after I went on a 20 minute walk. So goodbye donuts.

What's your favorite snack that you've found you can eat without your sugars spiking? string cheese and Greek yogurts - banana cream pie and strawberry cheesecake flavored.

If you could travel one place in the entire world, and money is no object, where would you go and why? definitely on the French Polynesian bandwagon.... either that or back to Italy for like 2 months. I would just eat and drink my way throughout the entire country.

Rants/Raves/Questions? my endocronoligist had my sugar log for a second week and thought my numbers were great. She said to keep it up and when I notice a change in trend to come in but other than that I don't have to go back. So that's good! Also seeing my obgyn this week put my mind at ease because I had a boatload of questions for them.

squiddy224 · September 2016

How are your numbers this week? Good! Had an appointment yesterday and my OB was very impressed with how stable they were.

What's your favorite snack that you've found you can eat without your sugars spiking? Nature Valley makes a nut crisp bar that I really like - it's almond dark chocolate. One bar has 11gm of carbs, so it hasn't been affecting my levels too drastically (I can have up to 30gm for a snack per my diet plan, and so far it's been working out pretty well.)

If you could travel one place in the entire world, and money is no object, where would you go and why? Ireland! DH and I both have Irish ancestry and would love to travel there. My in-laws went for their 40th anniversary a couple of years ago and had a really good time.

Rants/Raves/Questions? (Mini-rant) I asked at my appointment if the GD was going to affect my due date in any way, shape, or form, and was told probably not as I've been very well controlled with diet so far. But we will see when I have my growth ultrasound in a few weeks just how big the Bean is getting.

This coming weekend is my first baby shower so we will see if the numbers still look good after I have some food that I haven't normally been eating (like the cake that my sister has special ordered, so I will feel REALLY bad if I don't at least have a small piece!)

Carly79 · September 2016

@squiddy224 I was told the same thing at my appointment yesterday. So long as things are controlled with diet it shouldn't impact anything but we will do a growth scan when we get closer and see how big baby is. We had a birthday party the other day for my dad. My mom made chocolate cake. What I did was eat my meal and then check an hour later (I check 1 hour after meals). Then, I actually ate my small piece of cake as my snack right after I checked my sugars. Then about an hour later at my normal time I had some protein (nuts or cheese or something). Then had my next meal at the normal time and it spaced things out enough that my numbers were normal.

phoebecar · September 2016

@squiddy224 during my diabetes class they told us to have that piece of cake at your shower- just to make sure it wasn't half the cake . She said a 2 inch square is a good size. I'm not sure I could abide by just a 2 inch square- birthday cake is my all time favorite. I could eat an entire cake by myself. I swear I could.

What I have done in the past is "rob Peter to pay Paul" as my dietician put it- go low on my carbs for the meal and then make up for it by having dessert. It made me feel so much better to know that it didn't affect my numbers a great deal and I could STILL have my cake- and eat it too

@carly79 how did that affect your numbers? I assume it didn't swing them too much? I'll have to try that tactic and see if it works because the chocolate cake you are describing sounds pretty damn good right about now!!!

Carly79 · September 2016

@phoebecar It didn't have any affect on my numbers. Not something I do all the time but I wanted cake, didn't want to wait 2 hours after eating (by that time it would have been time to leave) for my snack so I just split it up over a couple hours. And I was also told, the 2 inch is a good size to go off of for cake, just be sure to count it as your snack or a part of your meal.

BenNSarah · September 2016

It looks like I am joining the club as of yesterday. So please have patience with me as I have so much to learn!

How are you numbers this week? I failed my 1 hour gtt yesterday. When the phone rang I knew it wasn't good news. My number was so high (206, they are looking for under 135 on their test) that they are skipping the 3 hour and have referred me to the specialists.

What's your favorite snack that you've found you can eat without your sugars spiking? This is all new. The snacks I have now to help control my nausea probably will not be allowed anymore so I will have to figure this out. Thanks for all of the ideas! I have to go grocery shopping tomorrow.

If you could travel one place in the entire world, and money is no object, where would you go and why? My mom, sister and I will be going to Europe and doing a 3-4 week tour someday. Since I was a teenager my dad has been saving his frequent flier miles from business travel, to save for this trip. The baby is definitely putting a delay in this.

Rants/Raves/Questions? I wish I didn't have to wait all the way till Tuesday to do my class/appointments with the dietician and doctor. I feel like I have so much to learn! Plus we do grocery shopping at the end of the week so on Tuesday I will have to go shopping again if I don't have the right foods. What are some of your staples that you make sure you always have on hand as part of your diets?

phoebecar · September 2016

@bennsarah- I'm so sorry for your diagnosis. I know it can be hard and overwhelming at first, but know you can still eat a lot of the same foods (within reason) that you are eating now- just in vastly different portion sizes. I have had cheesecake (twice) and @carly79 had chocolate cake for her dad's birthday.

For me, it was a big diet change- I've always been a carb lover and sweet eater whenever and where ever I wanted so it was a bit of a change for me. But it's totally doable and it's really not that hard once you get the hang of it.

My number was similar to that after my test. I took a 2 hour fasting test and I spectacularly failed mine but with worse numbers- so no need to go on to the 3 hour.

The one thing I've really learned is you have to limit carbs per meal- for example- my dietician gave me 2 carb servings for breakfast (a carb serving is 15g), 3-4 servings at lunch and again the same at dinner. Everyone's diet needs are different but it gives you a bit of a guideline as to what can expect. Your allotment may be higher or lower depending on your numbers, weight, etc.

I've also learned that I can't just eat 3 big meals- I have to eat 5-6 meals and a bedtime snack is a must. I'm a go forage in the pantry kind of person when I'm hungry so I tend to eat a lot of PB and crackers- which is an easy snack when I'm on the go so much. I eat a lot of greek yogurt and strawberries, and wheat thins with some kind of protein.

I have found this bread that's only 15g of carbs per slice and it's pretty good. It's whole wheat and doesn't taste like cardboard.

When I got my diagnosis my OB's office didn't send me to a class for 8 days yet I still had to test. so I was virtually flying blind and didn't know when, what or how to eat. So If you have any questions- please feel free to ask!!!

Carly79 · September 2016

@BenNSarah My biggest adjustment has been not eating everything I want whenever I feel like it, the planning and portioning is definitely hardest for me. However, there is very little that I have stopped eating all together, I just may eat less of it or eat it less often. I had icecream last night, the blue bunny single serve containers are 30g of carbs which is 2 carb choices and what my dietician recommends for a snack for me. My meal plan includes 6 snacks/small meals a day. My snacks are supposed to be 2 carb choices, breakfast 2-3, and lunch/dinner 3-4. I find sticking to the minimum in the range is best for my numbers. Fruit has been a big part of my snacks and meals because it gives me that sweet something but you do have to be careful with fruit, in some people bananas, watermelon, and grapes can spike numbers.

You will get the hang of it. I too had to wait a couple days before my class and I just wanted to get going and figure it out. My numbers the first week were good but had a few spikes in there as I learned what affected me how. For instance, I can't have greek yogurt before bed because for some reason it causes my fasting numbers to be high (either that or it just took my body a week to get with the program). I am from January 2017 BMB but the gals here have been gracious enough to let me jump in because I was diagnosed at 21 weeks due to an early glucose test and no one on my board had been diagnosed yet. Currently there is one other gal and a lot who have tests this week and next. This group is great, definitely ask any questions you have.

One thing I'll leave you with, since I started eating better and eating this way, I have felt so much better and am sleeping better. Not sure if that's the case with everyone but it's made a big difference. I also have lost 5 lbs and so far no one is concerned. My BMI is in the high range prior to pregnancy so at this point it's still ok. They are monitoring it though (and I feel like I'm eating a lot of food and very rarely hungry).

squiddy224 · September 2016

No worries, @BenNSarah, I got my diagnosis two weeks ago, and have already had my appointments with the dietician and the diabetes educator, and I still feel like I'm on a learning curve!

I'm going to echo what @phoebecar and @Carly79 have already said. It's definitely an adjustment; personally for me, the most difficult part is trying to keep to a consistent schedule with my meals and snacks because I haven't always been good at that (especially when I'm at work.) My diet allowance is very similar, 30gm (2 carb choices) for breakfast and snacks, and 45-60gm (3-4 carb choices) for lunch and dinner. I have found that I was able to have a small piece of apple pie without my numbers spiking TOO much (although they were definitely higher than my usual readings after eating something sweet like that.) It's a little bit of a balancing act sometimes and I'm paying much closer attention to my food labels than I was before.

The best advice I received was to always pair your carbs with a protein, this will slow the breakdown of the carbs and help you to avoid spikes in your levels. I've been eating a lot of chicken/seafood/lean red meat and veggies, and watching my portions of potatoes and pasta (but not avoiding them completely) for lunches and dinners, and in the morning for breakfast, I will do overnight oats, a small bowl of cereal with almond milk, or a piece of whole grain toast with peanut or almond butter and some cottage cheese with a little bit of fruit. Eggs are another good source of protein (but unfortunately I'm not a big egg fan - I have to be in the mood to eat them or it's just not going to happen!) For snacks, I will have something like hummus and crackers, or cheese and fruit, or a small bag of single-serve popcorn.

Good luck, just remember that sometimes it takes a little bit of trial and error to find out what is going to work for you.

BenNSarah · September 2016

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I am definitely overwhelmed and feeling a lot of emotions with this. I think my biggest stress is this diet. I lost 15 pounds in my first trimester and haven't gained a pound since. No one has seemed worried because I did start a little overweight, but that just shows how sick I have been. I still vomit every morning and feel sick with most foods. Most of the things on the DO list make me sick and the things on the DO LESS list my stomach can handle. My biggest hope is that this diet finally helps my digestion somehow figure things out and I stop feeling so sick every day. Maybe this is why I have been so sick for so long. (I'm 27 weeks) This all helps me feel a little less nervous about this so serious thank you to everyone!

Carly79 · September 2016

@BenNSarah I sobbed the entire afternoon after finding out. We were heading to my in-laws that night for the weekend and I was not ready to talk about it with anyone. I had a good weekend and then Tuesday morning when I started making my calls for insurance and signing up for class it became real again and I was in tears again. At my first class they asked how I was doing and the waterworks started again. Once I got my meter, had a plan for what I should be eating with more information than a DO/DO LESS list I felt a lot better. I felt like I finally had some tools and could start figuring out what worked for me. It definitely took me a little bit to figure it out and I'm still learning. The other thing that helps me that I'm not sure we've mentioned yet is walking. I walk after dinner before checking my numbers. I also try to get up and take a 5-10 minute walk around my building after lunch (If I don't go outside and walk or go to the gym).The activity really helps. My husband has been great as telling me I'm doing a good job with my tracking and portioning. Support helps, whether it's in the form of a community like this or your partner or your family and friends. You'll get there, give yourself a chance to get it all figured out.

ava.vaudine · September 2016

Hi ladies, I failed the 3 hour so I am here also. I haven't attended my class yet so I am trying research and read as much as I can on my own. I do have a question, in testing 2 hours after a meal, does this mean 2 hours from when I sit down to start eating or 2 hours from when I end my meal? Does this matter? I can't seem to find anything that addresses that specifically so I'm hoping one of you may know!

mjgf · September 2016

ava.vaudine said:

Hi ladies, I failed the 3 hour so I am here also. I haven't attended my class yet so I am trying research and read as much as I can on my own. I do have a question, in testing 2 hours after a meal, does this mean 2 hours from when I sit down to start eating or 2 hours from when I end my meal? Does this matter? I can't seem to find anything that addresses that specifically so I'm hoping one of you may know!

I test one hour after meals, but I was told that it should be exactly one hour from the first bite I take. If for some reason I'm not able to do it exactly an hour after I was instructed to just do it at two hours.

Carly79 · September 2016

I test one hour after meals and my internist told me an hour from my first bite. But, if it takes me more than 15 minutes to eat, add that on. So if I take 20 minutes to eat, I would test 1 hour and 5 minutes after I started eating. I have a timer on my phone so when I start eating I start that and the alarm goes off at an hour. It's the only way I remember to test.

lindsaym2106 · October 2016

Hey all....I was looking for a gestational diabetes board....
I am 29 1/2 weeks and just told I have gestational diabetes.. I am sort of freaking out a bit. For the past couple weeks I have been craving chocolate (I normally don't like chocolate...) So wondering how I am going to get around some of those cravings. I am just super worried about baby, I want my little one to come out healthy and happy

Words of advise would be awesome!!
Thanks mamas!

Carly79 · October 2016

@knottie29389287 One of my snacks that I really enjoy is 1/4 cup of the monster trail mix from Target. Its one carb choice so then I add one of the small 1/2 cup natural applesauces for my second carb choice. I get protein with the peanuts plus some sweet from the chocolate and pb pieces and m&m's.

I also have had icecream (whatever the appropriate portion is for 1-2 carb choices for the specific icecream). You can typically still have some of those sweet things or salty things that you are craving, just have to watch the portion and how often and pay attention to what impacts your numbers and play with it a little.

bookworm8622 · October 2016

Knottie29389287 said:

Hey all....I was looking for a gestational diabetes board....
I am 29 1/2 weeks and just told I have gestational diabetes.. I am sort of freaking out a bit. For the past couple weeks I have been craving chocolate (I normally don't like chocolate...) So wondering how I am going to get around some of those cravings. I am just super worried about baby, I want my little one to come out healthy and happy Words of advise would be awesome!!
Thanks mamas!

You can definitely still have chocolate! I get the 85% cacao "Dark Chocolate Lovers Chocolate Bar" from Traders Joe's and 2/3rd of ONE BAR is 13g of carbs. Each bar has 4 rows of 4 small pieces of chocolate (think like the Hershey's bars you use for smores) so its easy to just add a little snack to the end of a meal. SO GOOD!

phoebecar · October 2016

I eat a lot of sugar free chocolate pudding which is less than 1 carb choice but it gives me that chocolate taste that I'm looking for. I'll also echo PPs in that there are ice cream choices (sugar free and not) that you can eat which are right at 1 carb choice.

You can still eat what you want, or an equivalent but with moderation. Someone said (it might have been you @carly79) that one reeces pb cup is roughly 1 carb choice- or am I dreaming that? I do so love my reeces~

Carly79 · October 2016

@phoebecar Yes, I love my Reeces. I especially love the holiday ones (pumpkins, trees, hearts, eggs). One pumpkin is 1 carb choice so I pick one up on occasion to have with a snack.

lindsaym2106 · October 2016

question for you ladies. I was told on Tuesday the 18th I have gestational Diabetes. They were supposed to call me before week end to make an appointment and never did. So i called today and they made an appointment with the nutritionist/diabetic educator but not until Nov 7th. I am already going to be 32 weeks pregnant by then! I am so worried that is too late and I have NO CLUE what to even be eating right now. I could use some advise!!! I really don't want to walk about of that hospital after having my baby and be type 2 diabetic. I especially don't want anything to be wrong with our baby.

MrsGreco143 · October 2016

@Knottie29389287 I was diagnosed last week too. Do you have MyFitnessPal? If you do you can add me and see my diary of what I eat everyday. So far I've been keeping all my numbers in check.

MrsGreco143 · October 2016

@Knottie29389287 This is what my plan looks like. May be able to get you through until you can see your dietician. (picture below)

MrsGreco143 · October 2016

CMarie9980 · October 2016

Well...I was diagnosed with gd at 28 weeks...I am almost 34 now.

I tried intensely to control with diet and exercise only to find my fasting am numbers were just a little too high. As the weeks passed my day time numbers began creeping up also.

My doctor and I decided it best to start insulin and I was petrified! But, surprisingly it hasn't been so bad. Woke up this morning after 4 days on insul I n and my numbers have been spot on! Glad that it is helping.

I found that Outshine bars are good snacks that don't make me spike. Also brown rice doesn't make me spike either...not my favorite...but not about me right now.

Fajita shells raise my sugar like terrible which was a huge bummer for me.

If anyone has to go on insulin I just want to tell you it doesn't mean you failed at anything! Some women are just more resistant during pregnancy and we do what needs to be done for our little ones health!

Finally, if I could go anywhere and money wasn't an issue (as well as logic and physics) I would go to heaven and visit my momma ♡

CMarie9980 · October 2016

@Knottie29389287 Go low carb...not no carb but lower your carb intake. No pasta...be careful with bread and rice. Also, milk is loaded with lactose...which is sugar (if you are a milk drinker). Watch out for juice too...personally I just don't drink it. If you do eat something higher in carbs, eat with a protein source, eggs or something like that. :-)

lindsaym2106 · October 2016

This is all VERY helpful!! thank you so much ladies!! Luckily for me my sister also had GD with her first pregnancy so she was able to fill me in on some pointers as well. I have to this week I have been eating pretty good. I can't wait to me with my educator and start testing my blood sugars so I know what really works for me and what doesn't.
You girls Rock!!

lindsaym2106 · November 2016

Just checking in.....I FINALLY met with a nutritionist to talk, very helpful!! Started test 4 times a day....my numbers look good...except for my first thing in the morning number. That one has been high (104,104,107 ect) Looks like they might put me on medication....not sure what to expect. Anyone else had to be put on medication??
Also since my due date is approaching 7 1/2 weeks!!! I am starting to get tired, especially at work I need a GD approved food to give me some energy....any suggestions??
Thanks!

bookworm8622 · November 2016

@Knottie29389287 I can't speak to the high fasting numbers/meds, but some of the snacks I love are:
-apples with peanut butter or cheese
-granola bars made by Kashi and Trader Joe's
-carrots and hummus
-multigrain tortilla chips (Utz brand) and salsa

BenNSarah · November 2016

I had high fasting numbers and still do if I do it after I get out of bed. I literally have to be lying in bed still when I take my fasting test, before I do anything, to make sure that it is under. If I get up first it is always over. I don't know that it works for anyone else but it did for me. This week I took it after I got up and it was high again.

ashleygorokhovsky · November 2016

I had high fasting numbers (98-105) regularly for about 2 weeks before they put me on metformin. Just as an fyi-- It also seems to be pretty standard (from what I've seen) to require induction prior to 39 weeks when GD is controlled by medicine. I forget what it's called, maybe "A2 GD"? I never had problems with after-meal, just that fasting number. It's gotten a bit better with the medication, although my preference definitely would have been to avoid introducing LO to any kind of medication prior to birth.

lindsaym2106 · November 2016

Checking in....
Met with doctor last night to go over numbers and I will be going on medication. Glyburide. Feeling very nervous! I am not great with pills so we will see how this goes!
I am also feeling nervous about the fact that this baby could be big and I might need a c-section. It's my first baby would I really would like to vaginally, but of course I will do what is best for baby and me.
How is everyone else feeling?? Doctor said I will not be going back my due date so it looks like only about 5/12 -6 weeks left!!! Could be a Christmas baby!!!

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