Gestational Diabetes Diet and Symptoms Guide

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Blood Sugar Goals for Gestational Diabetes

July 19th, 2010 Susan Posted in Diet

Keeping blood sugar levels down can be a scary thing to deal with when your expecting a child. Understanding the risks means understanding what gestational diabetes is and how it affects you and your baby. Set up blood sugar goals for a healthy and problem-free pregnancy by knowing the risks and maintaining preventative measures. Also add a gestational diabetes diet and weight management plan to your goals.

Gestational diabetes occurs when your blood sugar goes beyond the normal level. It strikes up to 7% of pregnant women across the United States. Children can be born bigger than normal, causing difficult deliveries. It may also lead to type 2 diabetes in moms after giving birth. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body can’t absorb glucose or sugar correctly. Prevention is a number one priority in fighting this condition.

Although this type diabetes strikes everyone, African American, Asian, American Indian and Latino mothers are at the highest risk. Mothers who have diabetic family members, gain too much weight or are already obese are at risk as well. This is a great time to have a gestational diabetes diet plan during your pregnancy

A proper gestational diabetes diet can lower the risks and often prevent problems. Keep blood sugar goals attainable by eating fresh fruits and vegetables to manage blood sugar levels. It’s not unheard of to receive advice from grandmothers, moms and even perfect strangers about how eating a hearty meal is good for the baby. That is correct, but eating properly is the key. Instead of giving in to the desire to eat ice cream, grab a low-fat or fat-free yogurt. Try a bowl of tasty grapes instead of cookies. It’s important to make correct choices in your diet when you’re pregnant.

Avoiding sugary snacks isn’t the only preventative method. Maintain blood sugar goals by including healthy meals. Begin mornings with choices like wheat toast, scrambles eggs and a slice of fruit. Even a bowl of wheat cereal is a good choice. Prepare salads with low-calorie dressings for lunch. Other good choices are tuna salads or sandwiches, grilled chicken and fresh vegetables. For dinner, cook lean meats and incorporate more servings of veggies into your meals. Fruit salad, sugar-free jello and pudding are excellent dessert choices.

If you have any of the risk factors, then your physician will order certain tests to check for excess sugar in the blood. Test results with high blood sugar levels need proper management and dieting.

More Information About Gestational Diabetes
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Meal Planning for Diabetes in Pregnancy

July 19th, 2010 Susan Posted in Diet

Pregnancy is a time of expectation, joy and lots of shopping! Books of baby names and wads of tissue for those out-of-control hormones are scattered throughout your house and car. Adding a condition such as gestational diabetes can be quite difficult, however, not impossible to deal with. According to the American Diabetes Association, “pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women – about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year”. Controlling your sugar during pregnancy is as important to the mother as it is to the baby both before and after birth. Knowing what and when to eat is a very important step in a healthy pregnancy and a healthy happy baby.

Gestational diabetes menu ideas can be found in cookbooks in your local library, the used book stores, garage sales, friends and neighbors, and even the internet. The American Diabetes Association website offers ideas and links to many different gestational diabetes recipes at no charge, as well as answers to commonly asked questions regarding living (or being pregnant) with diabetes. There are also many support groups to help individuals with questions and concerns, as well as food and meal ideas. Check with your OBGYN or family physician for more information regarding this condition.

A good breakfast idea for gestational diabetes is something as simple as one-hard boiled egg, about one-third pound of grapes, one slice of whole wheat toast, and 12 ounces of nonfat skim milk. If desired, a teaspoon of trans-free margarine can be added to the toast. Another breakfast idea for gestational diabetes is a one-egg-white only omelet, one slice of ham, and a single slice of multi-grain bread. This breakfast comes in at only about 13 carbohydrates, a little over three grams of fat and only 137 calories. It’s important to remember that it’s best to speak to your health care provider before following this or any other gestational diabetes menu ideas.

Gestational diabetes snack ideas are low-carb low-fat foods that help to keep your sugar under control while providing the necessary nutrients for you and your baby; ideas like peanut better, cucumbers with olive-oil and rice vinegar, cottage cheese, broccoli with melted cheese, tomato and mozzarella salad, pickles, nuts, and beef jerky. Other great gestational diabetes snack ideas include carrot sticks, cheddar cheese, vegetables dipped in humus, fresh strawberries and yogurt (plain, low-fat), fresh blueberries and yogurt (plain, low-fat), snap peas with Caesar dressing, sautéed spinach, rotisserie chicken, hard boiled eggs, and pepperoni and cheese.


More Information About Gestational Diabetes
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Gestational Diabetes Sample Dinner and Dessert Ideas

December 2nd, 2009 Susan Posted in Diet

Sample Dinner Ideas

Dinner Sample #1

• One cup of pasta or a small potato. A protein such as chicken, beef, turkey, pork and a salad.
• Tofu, brown rice and vegetables.

Dinner Sample #2

6 ounces of fish of choice
1 cup of steamed broccoli
1 cup of brown rice
1 cup of reduced fat milk

Dinner Sample #3

Grilled Chicken (about the size of your palm or a deck of cards)
1 cup of steam carrots (or another vegetable of your choice) – try to stay away from heavy starches like potatoes and corn)
1 small baked sweet potato or yams
1 tablespoon of butter

Sample Dessert Ideas

Dessert
• Slim a Bear ice-cream sandwich

See More Gestational Diet Plans:

See also: Complications at Labor with Gestational Diabetes

Do You Need Extra Help Finding Recipes?

Free Sample of Healthy GOLEAN Kashi Breakfast

Receive a FREE OneTouch® Glucose Meter (color is your choice)

More Information About Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes dietGestational diabetes sugar levels
Managing gestational diabetes


Gestational Diabetes Sample Lunch Ideas

December 2nd, 2009 Susan Posted in Diet

Sample Lunch Diets

Lunch Sample #1
• Sandwich with meat, cheese and 2 pieces of bread. Fruit and Veggies on the side.

Lunch Sample #2
1 cup of lentil soup (any type of bean soup)
1 serving of whole grain crackers
2 ounces of low fat cheese
1 cup of baby carrots

Lunch Sample #3:
2 slices of whole grain bread
Sliced turkey or chicken
Lettuce & Tomato
1 apple
1 low-calorie and low sugar drink or 8 oz of water

More  Gestational Diabetes Diet Plans:

Do You Need Extra Help Finding Recipes?

Free Sample of Healthy GOLEAN Kashi Breakfast

Receive a FREE OneTouch® Glucose Meter (color is your choice)

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Gestational Diabetes Snack Ideas

November 24th, 2009 Susan Posted in Diet

Diet for Gestational Diabetes

Many pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes struggle with the idea of limiting fruit and particular grains or carbohydrates from their meals, but it’s typically the route to lowering the insulin to manageable levels.
The Rule of Thumb:

1)  Always eat some protein with a carbohydrate.  If you have some berries, eat a little bit of cheese.  If you snack on some crackers, eat a little bit of jerky.  If you splurge for that one time on some ice cream, do it after you’ve had a good high protein meal, like salmon and veggies (see examples of gestational diabetes meal plans).  Eating protein and a little bit of fat will slow down the breakdown of carbs, thus slowing the amount of sugar entering your blood and keeping your blood sugar level somewhat stable.

2) Don’t go over 30 to 45 carbs per meal or 15 carbs per snack.

3) Aim for 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day.

4) Aim for whole wheat versions of foods in bread, pastas and rice.

5) Avoid obvious simple sugars and limit or eliminate fruit juices, sodas and “white” carbs such as white bread or white pasta.

It’s best to limit your carbohydrates when controlling your blood sugar to servings of about 15 grams.

Snacks

  • 3 graham cracker squares
  • 8 animal crackers
  • 6 saltine type crackers
  • 3 cups of popcorn
  • ¾ ounce of pretzels
  • 4 ounce fresh fruit
  • ½ cup of canned or fresh fruit
  • ¼ of dried fruit
  • 1 – 2 inch square of an unfrosted brownie
  • 2 small cookies
  • ½ cup of sugar free, fat free ice cream
  • ¾ cup of plain, nonfat yogurt
  • Mixed Nuts
  • Fruit and Cheese
  • 1 apple
  • 1 cup of cottage cheese
  • 20 raw almonds
  • 1 cup grapes
  • 5 cups of air-popped popcorn (plain)
  • ¼ cup of hummus
  • 1 cup of raw veggies of your choice
  • 6 ounces of yogurt
  • Mixed Nuts
  • Small smoothie made with fresh fruit: strawberries, bananas or kiwis. – Mix with crushed and soy-protein mix powder. Add a tablespoon of honey

Daytime Snack Choices: (15-20 grams of carbohydrate)

  • Small piece of fruit
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 cups popcorn
  • 1 cup no-sugar-added pudding
  • 6 ounces light yogurt
  • Granola bar

Protein Choices

  • Beef or Turkey Jerky
  • Sliced Chicken Breast
  • Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Egg Salad
  • Tofu
  • Beans

Bedtime Snack Choices: (20-30 grams of carbohydrate plus protein)

  • 3 graham cracker squares with peanut butter
  • 1/2 sandwich on whole grain bread
  • 1/2-1 cup unsweetened cereal with 1/2 cup lowfat milk
  • 1/2 pita bread with 2 tablespoons hummus
  • 1 medium piece of fruit with 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 4-6 crackers with cheese

Gestational Diabetes Diet Plans:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner


More Information About Gestational Diabetes
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Gestational Diabetes Sample Diet Breakfast Plans

November 23rd, 2009 Susan Posted in Diet

You’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and now you are wondering… “What CAN I eat”? After being told what not to eat, how do you figure out WHAT to eat?

gestational diabetes food guide pyramid

Here are some suggestions of Gestational Diabetes Diet Plans

Sample Breakfast Diet

• 1 egg on English Muffin with melted cheese and Crystal Light Juice
• Special K Plus Protein Cereal (only 14 carbs and 10 g of protein)
• Veggie sausage patties

Sample Breakfast #2

2 slices of whole grain toast with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
½ cup of 100% fruit juice

Sample Breakfast #3

2 scrambled egg whites
1 scrambled whole egg
1 whole wheat English muffin
1 slice of melon

Make sure to ask your dietitian for a recommended sample meal plan for your gestational diabetes as they may also give you some meal planning tips or snack ideas.

See Gestational Diet Plans:

Gestational Diabetes Lunch Ideas
Gestational Diabetes Dinner Ideas
Gestational Diabetes Snack Ideas

Do You Need Extra Help Finding Recipes?

Free Sample of Healthy GOLEAN Kashi Breakfast

Receive a FREE OneTouch® Glucose Meter (color is your choice)

More Information About Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes dietGestational diabetes sugar levels
Managing gestational diabetes


What Meal Plan is Right For Me?

April 24th, 2009 Susan Posted in Diet

The amount of carbohydrates, calories and other nutrients depends on a number of factors which include your weight prior to pregnancy, your current weight gain, your physical activity and your blood glucose level.  A dietitian can tell you the proper amount of carbohydrates to eat each day.  Eating the correct amount of carbohydrates is important in controlling blood sugar levels.  There are some meal planning methods that requires carbohydrate counting and diabetes exchanges.  Your doctor will be able to help you with planning a method that works for your gestational diabetic specific needs.

Eating Tips

Try spreading your carbohydrates through the day eating 3 small to medium meals and 2 to 4 snacks each day.  To avoid low blood sugar at night, you may need to eat a small snack before bedtime and eat the same amount each day at each meal from day to day.  This will help keep your blood sugars under control.

For some women eating carbohydrates in the morning for breakfast will cause a quick rise in blood sugar.  It may be helpful to eat more protein at this meal such as eggs, chicken or turkey to satisfy your hunger.

You will need to lower your amount of sweet intake such as soft drinks, sweetened drinks, candy and desserts that are high in carbohydrates and low in nutrients.

Do not skip meals or avoid eating carbohydrates altogether to control your blood sugar as carbohydrates are quite important part of anyone’s diet.

Managing glucose levels during pregnancy can be quite difficult without the right plan of action and diet plan to follow.

Limit your carbohydrates by following simple plans:

Limit your carbs for:
Breakfast = 30 grams
Lunch = 45 grams
Dinner = 45 to 60 grams (depending on how your body tolerates glucose/sugar)
Snacks to 15 grams

Gestational Diabetes and Controlling Blood Sugar Level

Upon first waking up in the morning, your blood sugar will be at a normal low. It’s important to not eat a breakfast high in carbohydrates or starch (sample breakfast ideas). Avoid food items such as pancakes, syrub, sugarded cereal and high-glycemic fruits such as grapes for breakfast, otherwise your glucose levels with skyrocket. A small and high protein meal that protein plus a small carbohydrate, such as a slice of whole wheat toast can do the trick. Depending on your body, you may be able to add yogurt or a cup of low calorie yogurt.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is waiting too long before eating your next meal. If your sugar level drops too low, it will tend to bounce higher when you finally do eat. A snack of vegetable sticks with hummus or another low calorie dip, cottage cheese with some fruit, whole wheat crackers with peanur butter or a handful of nuts can help you get through until your actual meal. If you are always on the go and have trouble finding something healthy to eat, prepare early and keep the snack items in the fridge.

Foods to Avoid

Even though they seem healthy, they may not be. Avoid foods like white processed bread, juice, or dried fruit (typically they are laced with sugar). Instead eat whole grain pasta, pita bread, water, unsweetened 100% fruit juice and fresh fruit high in fiber (like an apple!).

Snack Ideas

We gotta love our snacks. Finding a diabetic friendly snack is actually not too hard. Probably limiting the amount will be the hardest challenge, especially when pregnant!

For snacks, try eating:

  • 3 graham crackers squares or 8 animal crackers
  • 6 saltine crackers
  • Three cups of popcorn (probably the most filling)
  • Three-fourths of an ounce of pretzels

Dinnertime

It’s probably the trickest meal to plan for in the day. If you eat late you are inclined to crash into bed shortly afterward. You’ll need to choose carefully to minimize overeating. A whole grain wrap stuffed with chicken and salad trimmings is quick to make and good to eat.  Check out some sample dinner ideas.

If you are up for later than 3 hours after dinnertime, you will need to get a light snack to keep from your sugar level from dipping to low. It can be as simple as an apple, small whole grain muffin, or peanut butter crackers.

Here are a list of sample carbohydrates that can be consumed, but consult your dietitian on specific meal plans:

Breads: Each serving of food listed below contains about 15 grams (g) of carbohydrate .

  • One-ounce slice of bread.
  • One ounce of a bagel (equal to about one-fourth of a bagel from a bagel shop or bakery).
  • One four-inch pancake (about one-fourth of an inch thick).
  • One six-inch flour or corn tortilla.

Cereals and grains: Serving sizes of ready-to-eat cereals vary. Look at the serving size and the total carbohydrate amount listed on the food label. Each serving of food listed below contains about 15 g of carbohydrate .

  • Three-fourths of a cup of unsweetened, ready-to-eat cereal or one-fourth cup of low-fat granola.
  • One-half cup of cooked cereal or oatmeal.
  • One-third cup of pasta or rice.

Starchy vegetables: Each serving of food listed below contains about 15 g of carbohydrate .

  • One-half cup of corn, green peas, sweet potatoes, or mashed potatoes.
  • One-fourth of a large baked potato.
  • One cup of winter squash (acorn, pumpkin).

Beans, peas or lentils: Each serving of food listed below contains about 15 g of carbohydrate .

  • One-half cup of beans and peas (garbanzo, pinto, kidney, white, split, black-eyed).
  • Two-third cup of lima beans.
  • One-half cup of lentils.

Crackers and snacks: Each serving of food listed below contains about 15 g of carbohydrate .

  • Three graham cracker squares or eight animal crackers.
  • Six saltine-type crackers.
  • Three cups of popcorn.
  • Three-fourths of an ounce of pretzels.

Fruit: Each serving of food listed below contains about 15 g of carbohydrate .

  • One small (four ounce) fresh fruit. Weigh fresh fruit at grocery store. Large pieces of fruit usually weigh more than four ounces and count as more than one serving.
  • One-half cup of canned or fresh fruit.
  • One-half cup (four ounces) of unsweetened fruit juice.
  • One-fourth cup of dried fruit.

Sweets: Each serving of food listed below contains about 15 g of carbohydrate .

  • One two-inch square of an unfrosted brownie.
  • Two small cookies.
  • One-half cup of sugar-free, fat-free ice cream.

Milk and yogurt: Foods from the milk and yogurt group contain about 12 g of carbohydrate per serving.

  • One cup of milk.
  • Three-fourths of a cup of plain, nonfat yogurt.
  • One cup of fat-free, flavored yogurt sweetened with artificial sweetener.

Non-starchy vegetables: Each serving contains about five grams of carbohydrate .

  • One-half cup of cooked vegetables or one cup of raw vegetables. Some of these vegetables include beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini.
  • One-half cup of vegetable juice.


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