I was diagnosed with genstational diabetes: What should I be eating?

I’m a first-time mom. I’m 28 weeks and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and I don’t quite understand what’s good and not. I haven’t been eating so much bc I’m scared that it’s going to cause more problems for my unborn child and me. Does anyone have any suggestions?? Thanks in advance.

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You can pretty much eat anything you just have to watch your carb intake. I think I was allowed 60g for meals, with 3 meals a day. And then either 15g or 30g for snacks and allowed 2 snacks a day. I also had gestational diabetes with my second. I was terrified she was going to come out huge but she was 6lbs 12oz.

Sooo I had this as well… and it didn’t make any sense to me! I only had one time where my numbers were high-and I didn’t stop eating or drinking anything that I wasn’t already… I did do small snacks tho in between meals… sry no help but just trial and error… I guess

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Just watch your carbs and sugar. I have quit most dessert and limit bread,pasta, and rice

And when you check your sugar around 120 is normal after a meal.

See with your health insurance if they will cover you seeing a nutritionist, since you do have a diagnosis of gestational diabetes

I have gestinal diabeties at 33 weeks and had to cut back on sugars, breads, grain and soda also do you have to check your blood sugars?

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My ob referred me to a nutritionist, it helped so much. I was almost scared to eat but they explained everything so well and actually showed me with fake food what my portion sizes should be.

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Low GI foods are good, I was told to check ingredients list and make sure sugar below 10g per 100g
I ended up on 4 needles per day with both my boys - it is doable and for me it actually made me eat better as I am a self confessed sweet tooth and generally have piggie tendencies :roll_eyes::roll_eyes: also with my 2nd he was born with low blood sugar so they took him while I was in recovery and gave him a little formula just to get his levels up - FYI
good luck with the rest of your pregnancy x

They have some really informative GD specific groups on fb. They really helped me when I was pregnant with my son.

It really depends on your personal health. I could basically only eat oven roasted turkey, tomatoes and cheddar cheese.

Did you get a referral to an Endo? If not, you should set that up with your primary care ASAP! Family drs aren’t equipped to deal with gestational diabetes.

Get a glucose meter, and strips. Test when you get up, before meals, 2h after meals and before bed. Keep a log and meal diary.

Generally carb limit for pregnant women is 45 per meals, and 15 per snacks. Although it can vary per person. Learn how to carb count. Portion control. You can have generally anything like bread, rice, potatoes, etc but have it with a protein so it doesn’t spike up your sugars. You are going to have to figure out what spikes your blood on your own. Everyone is different.

Drink tons of WATER! It helps lower blood sugar.

If you have to take insulin, it’s okay. Don’t be afraid. Remember that insulin doesn’t cross the placenta but high sugars do! High sugars is very dangerous for baby. Insulin has more pros than cons.

Also just have to add that not all diabetic mother’s have big babies. While it’s not a myth, it depends on the person. Like if they have blood sugar controlled. I did. My last baby was only 5lbs! :slightly_smiling_face:

I was labeled as gestational diabetic but misdiagnosed and am actually type one!

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Your doctor should be able to refer you to a nutritionist. Or call your local WIC/planned parenting place and see if they can help

Something that I found helpful was cottage cheese if you like it with a little fruit

Only eat pumpernickel bread, lots of veggies and salads, protein, if I ate fruit I had to eat string cheese to balance it out , no cold cereal, lots of water, I only had high fasting sugars, when I ate bagels it would soar

Protein. All about portion control on healthy carbs.

Sodium. If I learned anything from the nutrition class I attended its not just that you eat so much sweets. Sometimes your body may not produce the insulin you need. Keep the sodium intake low. Try to stray away from the whites like pastas, rice, bread, flour potatoes.
Please do eat! Your baby needs food. Blessings!

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After I ate no matter what I ate I would walk. I would walk kind of fast. I ended up losing weight no complication with gestational diabetes. Don’t drink soda keep it under control! Just eat small portions. Good luck!!

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Look at the carbs on your food…the sugars are already counted in the carb count…for every fiber you can take away a carb… most md will tell you to eat 40 to 60 carbs each meal…protein is great eat all you want of that to fill up. Water is helpful in keeping sugars lower as well. You have to watch fruits and vegetables by they have more carbs than what you think they are good for you wat them just regulate how much at one time. Just keep in mind baby gets sugars too and baby’s body has to work to filter and process just as your body does so high sugars can can cause higher weight baby but more serious stillbirth due to baby not being able to process sugars. So make sure you ask your provider all your questions don’t hesitate. Bany can store fat in belly and shoulders which can lead to emergency c section as well as baby won’t be able to fit through birth canal…
I ate cheeseburger along with all the fixing just no bun…lunch meat and cheese no bread or look into low carb wraps… taco salad with right amount of chips… chef salads…just.make sure you intake the proper amount of carbs per meals. Its a trial and error thing as well.

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I had it for both pregnancies, and for the first one I would see a nutritionist once a week, would come to my house and basically would raid my fridge. But one thing stuck with me - if its white it ain’t right (with the exception of some things). But this pregnancy I wasnt able to see the nutritionist bc of covid so I’m not sure it would be the same thing with you ? Doesnt hurt to try.

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Make sure you watch your carbs but make sure you are getting protein. I saw a nutritionist and the plan they gave me did not work for me at all sugars were still way to high and I was miserable. I redid my own meal plan with and watched my numbers go down and was still able to have the things I enjoyed with ideal sugar range. They told me my daughter would be large 10-12 pounds and she was born at 38 weeks at 5 pounds 7 oz. She was my smallest baby of all. My second born was born at 40 weeks exact no diabetes at 8 pounds 15.5 ounces. Fiber one little packets make great snacks with a glass of milk.

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Portion sizes and balanced meals is what worked for me… had it twice…

Meat and cheese and more meat and more cheese and eggs

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Was on insulin from start of end of 2nd trimester. Endocrinologist advised less to no sugary foods, less carbs, less salty/oily/fried foods, & more water. Even have to minimize natural fruit juices as they also have sugars. Had to check glucose levels 3x a day & inject insulin 4x a day. Basically, if I got preggy cravings I can still eat those but had to observe minimal quantities.

Protein! Green leafy veggies. Limit pastas breeds and sugary drinks.

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Your Dr should be setting you up to see a diabetic educator who will teach you about diet and glucose testing.

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I failed by a couple points doc isn’t concerned that much he just told me to watch the carbs. He gave me a number connected to my hospital to call for nutrition guidance if I wanted it.

Go to a diabetic pregnancy specialist, I’m type 1 diabetic and it’s different for everyone

Lots of whole grains and proteins. Minimize the sugars and carbs. Also talk to a nutritionist

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Watch your carbs, no sodas.proteins good

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Talk to your OB and see a dietitian for a meal plan :blush:

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Things like two poached eggs on one slice of toast and chicken veges and a tiny portion of carbs helped me. Look at processed food packets and only buy things that are 10gms of carbs per 100gms and that will be OK.
Also think of each meal as 60-70% vege, 20-30% protein and 10% carbs and you should be all good. Hopefully you will have a dietician to work with you to help xxx good luck!! :heart:

watch carb and sugar intake mostly. I had it with my first pregnancy and found myself eating a lot of veggies and proteins.
have my test on Monday for this pregnancy. :crossed_fingers::crossed_fingers::crossed_fingers:

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Try to find things with more fiber than sugar. Your nutritionalist should have given you a sheet of good and bad foods. Basically stay away from white and eat whole grains.

Yeah contact your medical professionals not the internet

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I’m 34 weeks pregnant with the same thing! Take sugars totally out and watch your carbs. When you do eat carbs like pasta and bread switch to whole wheat instead of white. Eat lots of protein especially in the morning.

Lots of protein!!! Try not to eat carbs in the morning as the morning is when it’s has a tendency of spiking sugars and harder to lower them. Your body tries to hold onto them since you hadn’t eaten in the middle of the night. I literally put peanut butter on everything since it’s a good source of protein. Sugar is ok as long as it’s natural sugars like what you find in fruits. Bread is the hardest to stay away from… bagels, English muffins, things like that… rice, try and stay away from all those types of things. While you don’t think of it as “sugar” because it’s not sweet, that’s all it is. Carbs=sugar I was diagnosed GD my last pregnancy and was able to keep it under control with diet. It is hard, but you can do it! Drink plenty of water and try to exercise when you can.

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I have GD. Stay away from sugary foods and drinks and for breakfast need to stay under 30 carbs and lunch/dinner needs to be under 60. Stay away from breads and pasta and eat lots of healthy protein.

Hi I work in Healthcare in Nutrition and help Mothers with GD usually they put girls on 2200 calories per day so how it works is for Bk is 50 carbs, Lunch and Dinner will be the same!!! You will eat 3 snacks 1 in mid morning, afternoon, and evening! Snacks could be 1/2 sandwich of Turkey, cheese cubes n crackers, Lite yogurt and piece of fruit, or graham crackers n PB? Maybe consult with a Nutrionist who can guide you so you can eat well during your pregnancy!

Veggies, meat , lots of water, and take small walks after you eat. (Even 5 mins helps)

Greek yogurt a few frozen berries and a scoop of granola was a great breakfast for me. (If you aren’t a fan of eggs)

In the beginning, I just tracked what I ate, what my sugar was, and most importantly, HOW I FELT after eating it. Then just made my diet from there.

And be careful you can develop diabetes after 5 to 10 years after having your baby. I did my son was 7 when I got diagnosed with being type 2 after my 2nd miscarriage. That miscarriage saved my life. I didn’t have any symptoms.

Eat a lot vegetables, fruits, lean protein, low- fat dairy, legumes and whole grains. Also carbohydrates to help you control your blood glucose level.

Hey now you’ll have it for life. Or at least I did. What is good is vegetables chicken turkey and salmon. Go light on the red meat make sure you get milk and cheese in you because your building a body. Stay away from salads too many things have gone wrong with spinach or lettuce. Don’t forget to take your sugar test after you eat. And your medicine as well. Oh and it’s ok to look at frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.

Yes my dr sent me to a dietician and it was very helpfull

The best thing you can do is cut carbohydrates out of your diet.

I also had that with 2 pregnancies. I ate a lot of vegetables and meat. Kept carbs to a minimum

Most things are ok. Avoid cookies and the like for now. Proteins and veggies and eat 6 meals a day small ones breakfast, snack lunch snack dinner snack. I ate lots of string cheese and corn tortillas for a snack. One string cheese and one small corn tortilla. Had eggs for breakfast and chicken and steak for different suppers. They should send you to a class to learn about it and give you what you need. Call your doctor if all else fails.

Your carb and suger intake is important watch starches. Google low carb diet. And im sure facebook has a diabetic page just for your type which will also help you figure out how to eat better and also ask your ob

Avoid any white foods like potatoes, rice, bread. While grain is best for carbs. Lean meats and lots of veggies. Specifically green leafy veggies are best. Look at labels for anything that ends in “ose” like "sucrose " that’s basically another word for sugar. Warch what fruit you eat too. High fiber is best. Stay away from citrus fruits and all fruit juices.

Eat small helpings drink lots of water if you want an. Apple eat half of a small one. Eat fish grilled or baked and. Green vegetables

If you have insurance go to a dietician. They will be a big help.

Lots of veggies, lean meat, water, some fruit. If possible avoid carbs

Stay away from anything WHITE: bread, rice, pasta, potatoes break down quick into sugars so you want to stay away from those, and sweets, soda pop, desserts…the way to shop is to look for the bright-colored fruits and vegetables…
Purples, oranges, reds, dark/bright greens, because those are loaded with great vitamins and nutrients…stay away from fatty cuts of meats…use olive oil instead of butter or margarine or lard…that is basically the Mediterranean diet…and it will serve you well!

Look up ADA (American diabetes adsociation). They have great plans and explain simply how you should eat, etc. Eat plenty protein, veggies. Decrease bad carbs, white, processed, sugar. Limit healthy carbs like whole grain or brown rice, sweet potatoes, etc. Limit fruit.

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You could also as your OB/GYN if they could refer you to a dietician or nutritionist to help.

Consult a dietitian or nutritionist.

Join this group. Sooo helpful when I had GD. Gestational Diabetes Support Group

A healthy diet is important with or without doctors orders. I knew someone who gave her child all sorts of health problems because she ate nothing but fried junk food. Her son is now 3.5 has tons of allergies and severe skin dermatitis.

Dont try keto! The diabetes educator told me that. I had 2 meetings, the 2nd was with her (she also gave me the blood sugar monitor) and 1st was with a dietitian.

Talk to your doctor, a dietitian or a nutritionist. Don’t seek advice from Facebook when it comes to medical issues… :roll_eyes::expressionless:

I had gestational diabetes & my insurance covered me going to a diabetes nutrition class; might want you check into that.

When you say you arent eating so much do you mean not eating much or not eating a wide variety? If it is the first one, you need to eat or it’ll cause issues… other than that just cut out or very small quantities of carbohydrates like fizzy drinks, white rice, potatoes, sugar etc