Pour Some Sugar On Me! (Please Don't, On Second Thought!)

by Cait 5:00 AM 0 comments Diabetes Diet Gestational Diabetes Pregnancy Sugar

When I was pregnant, after the nausea of the first trimester subsided, I cherished the thought of eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. I was excited to see what my cravings would be. Would I send my hubby out at 2 a.m. for pickles and ice cream? Would I suddenly like foods that I had previously abhorred?

I didn't end up craving the pickles and ice cream, but I did regularly walk to the local ice cream parlor and indulge. Ice cream has calcium in it, right?

The things I craved most during my pregnancy were pizza, ice cream, pastas, cheese and crackers, and fruit. Lots of fruit. I think I had a serving a fruit with every meal. My favorites were the stone fruits, especially cherries and plums. In hindsight, I see that the things I especially liked were packed with carbs and sugars.

When the time came for the one-hour glucose test, I wasn't overly concerned. I wasn't overweight before becoming pregnant, always had a healthy diet, and exercised regularly.
I took the test, and though the drink was exceedingly sweet, I felt fine. I knew I'd pass it and continue on the road to motherhood unhindered.

A day or so after the test, I was informed that I had failed it. FAILED IT?! That couldn't be! They must have made a mistake. I freaked out, knowing that now I would need to take the dreaded three-hour glucose intolerance test. For someone who hates needles, this was a nightmare.

I sucked it up, and went to take the test. My husband came along with me for moral support (He's awesome). It wasn't fun having my blood drawn four times in a three hour period, but it was tolerable. If I can do it, anyone can.

Long story, short (too late for that now, right?), I failed the second test as well. I had gestational diabetes. Nightmare!

I spent A LOT of time on the internet, reading whatever I could find on GD. I learned that it was much more common than I had realized. I learned that I would need to check my blood sugar levels four times a day, which I dreaded. I also read that some people need to take insulin shots to help manage GD, while others can keep their sugar levels under control with diet and exercise.

I'm very thankful that I fell into the latter group. I adjusted my diet and walked after every meal, weather permitting.

When choosing a glucose meter, I went with the Accu Chek Nano.  It uses micro needles that you never see.  

Checking the sugar levels four times a day was very annoying but it was not painful. My levels needed to be between 60-89 for fasting and between 60-119 two hours after my meals.  I stuck to a strict diet because I was terrified of needing insulin. At the end of the pregnancy, I wound up with a healthy, happy baby.

I have posted a sample of what my meals were like and what my carb intake was.  I am not a doctor and what worked for me may not work for you, but I found any bit of advice helpful when I was in this situation.

 I hope you find this post helpful. If you had GD, please comment below about your experiences and what worked for you.



Carb Allowances 

Breakfast & Snacks: 30 g (plus or minus 5g)
Lunch & Dinner: 45 g 

Sample Breakfast
1 scrambled egg (Free), 1 light multigrain English muffin (21 g), 1 TBSP of peanut butter ( about 4 g), and 1 TBSP of Smucker's Low Sugar Concord Grape Jelly (6 g) 
Carb Total: 31 g

Sample AM Snack
1 small plum (15 g) and glass of milk (15 g) or large apple (30 g), cheese stick (Free)
Carb Total: 30 g

Sample Lunch
Large Salad with lettuce, tomato, carrots, and cucumbers (15 g), 1/4 c of slivered almonds, 1/2 c of chicken salad (8 g), 6 Multigrain crackers (16 g), one Laughing Cow cheese wedge (1 g), and a few prunes (about 5 g)
Carb Total: About 45 g

Sample PM Snack
Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Kind Bar (17 g) and a glass of milk (15 g) or yogurt (15 g) and 3/4 cup of blueberries (15 g)
Carb Total: 30-32 g

Sample Dinner
Baked or grilled chicken breast (Free), 1/2 cup of sweet potato (15 g), 1/2 cup of corn with butter substitute (15 g), and 1 glass of milk (15 g) - could add a small side salad for 5 g
Carb Total: 45 g

Sample Evening Snack
Kind Bar (17 g) and glass of milk (15 g)
Carb Total: 30 g