Gestational diabetes

[Guest guest]

Carol,

 

My sister had gestational diabetes and had a healthy pregnancy. I queried her

about what she did, and her answer follows. She has been a vegetarian for about

30 years.

 

" If she's a vegan it will be harder but if not, it was pretty easy to

manage. The most important thing to do is make sure to eat protein and

carbs together, never carbs alone. The protein slowed down the whole

glucose/insulin reaction so glucose levels stayed more even, without the

big highs and lows. So peanut butter sandwhiches, cheese and crackers,

rice with nuts and lentils....those kinds of combinations work, and every

meal with a big glass of milk. I also had to eat every couple of hours to

maintain an even glucose level. I remeber eating almonds and raisins (for

iron) as a snack, with a cup of milk. I checked my blood sugar three times

a day to keep an eye on it. The absolute worst food for sending glucose

levels up, aside from the obvious ---candy and sweets -- is white potatos.

I gave them up when I was pregnant, except for a few fries every now and

then. Also, stress and illness raise glucose levels and it sounds like if

she's on bed rest she's probably stressed and sick so that doesn't help.

 

My doctors never ever suggested I eat meat to have a healthy pregnancy. "

 

Terry

 

 

It certainly is challenging to maintain a vegetarian diet in the face of

these types of medical problems. Has anyone else had gestational diabetes? If

so, I would really like to hear how you dealt with it.

 

Carol

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Thanks, I am very nervous about this. I am reading PCRM's Healthy Eating for

Life To Prevent and Treat Diabetes. They discuss eating a high fiber, low fat

vegan diet. In my head it make sense but I am afraid to eat so many carbs. I'm

not sure how to proceed. Most dietician do not understand the vegan diet so to

make recomendations regarding veganism would be beyond them. I already have so

many complications with this pregnancy this was really a big blow.

Carol

 

" Cindy W. " <gratefulveg wrote:

I had Gestational Diabetes with both of my pregnancies

and had to test my blood sugar several times a day. I

found that my blood sugar did really well when I ate

beans. The dietitian said that it was because those

types of carbohydrates are absorbed slowly. I was

working at the time and would often stop at Taco Bell

for lunch. My blood sugar tested great after I had a

bean burrito or tostada. I also found that I could eat

refined carbohydrates (like pasta) if I cut down on

portion sizes. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Hi Terry

Thanks so much for the info. Nobody ever suggested that I eat meat. I had been

vegan but since all this occured I added back eggs and cheese. I could never

add meat. I don't think I could even get it down. Your sisters suggestions

seem to be similar to what they say from PCRM (Physicians Committee for

Responsible Medicine). I am still afraid to eat things like rice and beans and

some of the other things she says she ate. I was told by the dietician that I

shouldn't eat more than 40g of carbs per meal. If I ate some of the high fiber,

low fat veggie food I would have to eat very small portions in order to have

only 40g of carbs, even if it included protein. I think I am going to have to

do more research. My sugar is great as long as I stay at 40g or lower. As a

vegetarian that is very challenging. 1 cup of rice has 45g and that is not

adding anything else. I'm assured by a friend that this child will be my best

friend after all I am going through for her. I'm sure we

will get through but it isn't always easy.

Thanks again

Carol

 

Terry Somerson <terry wrote:

 

My doctors never ever suggested I eat meat to have a healthy pregnancy. "

 

Terry

 

 

It certainly is challenging to maintain a vegetarian diet in the face of

these types of medical problems. Has anyone else had gestational diabetes? If

so, I would really like to hear how you dealt with it.

 

Carol

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

It's hard to know where it comes from isn't it? I was gestationally

diabetic with both my pregnancies. The first I craved fruit. I was not

allowed to eat fruit before noon and everything had to be laced with fat and

protein--my sanity salvation was nuts and nut butters! I had to do insulin

for the first preg( only once at night), and 15 min of activity right after

eating small meals kept my blood sugars under control.

 

the second preg. my ob was watching for it so caught it early. I controlled

it with the small meals, protein and veg, only water, very little fruit, and

exercise after every meal 15 min. My second was very stressful ( 2 cars

stolen,earthquake), and I found that I would rebel-- I remember eating 5

different fruit desserts at a party--DH got very angry. My mother is

diabetic though, so she just said work it off and you will be fine, so we

walked.

 

Just know that this is not because you did or did not do something. This is

a dance between your body and the uterus. The uterus puts out an enzyme to

stop the insulin in your body from processing all the sugar so the baby can

get it. The uterus is just more successful getting more of the sugar for

the baby.

 

I hope this helps!

 

Julie