Hi,

I was just diagnosed w/ having gestational diabetes at 29 weeks. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what type of nutrition program you are doing? I won't see my dietian until November and my doctor wants me to start ASAP! I have already picked up my lancets, alcohol wipes, etc...

Thanks.

Gwendolyn


[This message has been edited by ivfgirl02 (edited 10-16-2003).]

There are a couple of ways to manage diet. One is to count carbs, but you need a dietician to figure out how many carbs/meal you should be having. For most women, 50-60 grams per meal is maximum, but it may be different when pregnant.

The other ways to manage diet is through the exchange system You get a list of food exchanges by categories. The categories are protein, milk/dairy, breads/starches, fruits, vegetables. The lists show how much of a food is one exchange, and you're given a meal plan by exchanges. For example, breakfast may be 2 bread/starches, 1 milk/dairy, 1 fruit and 1 protein.

The high-density carbs (which will raise your blood glucose the most) are breads/starches, including bread, rice, potatoes and pasta. ONE serving of rice, for example, is only 1/2 cup cooked, same for pasta, so just watch your portion sizes for those foods. A small potato contains 50 grams of carbs, which is usually your entire allotment for a meal - better to have only 1/2 of a baked potato! With pasta, try to add lots of veggies/meat, and use way less pasta.

Also, while bananas are good in that they contain a lot of potassium, a serving size is only 1/2 of a banana (15g carbs). Most berries, a serving (10-15g carbs) is about 1/2 cup, and other fruits, such as applies, 1 small is 15g.

I think you can get the exchange list from the American Dietetic Association's website at www.eatright.org (http://www.eatright.org)

Problem is, you need the help of a dietician to sort this out. I would think that, since you're pregnant, they should get you in to see the dietician within a week at most.

Wonderful information! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I called today to make an appointment w/ the dietician and her schedule is not up for us to make appointments and the guy on the phone told me to call back next week too see if it's out yet. She is away and won't be back *so they say* until the end of the month or early part of November. That is why I'm on the 'net looking for information.

I'm familiar w/ the diabetic exchange program just wanted to know how much food would be good for me during the remainder of my pg. I have been eating whatever - I LOVE potatoes and have been eating alot of them - also juice w/ sugar. I'm going to sit down over the weekend and journal my little heart out.


Thanks again and I'll check out that website you gave me. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Have a great weekend!!


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Gwendolyn
TTC #1 since June 1995
Tubal Factor discovered October 2001
IVF #1: 10/02 - 12/02 Negative
IVF #2: 3/03 - 4/03
Positive
EDD: December 31, 2003
It's a GIRL!
http://www.ivfgirl02.com

Gwendolyn,

Congratulations on the pregnancy. It must be a very exciting time of your life. My kid are teenagers now and let me tell you that is a little different!

You may want to look into the glycemic index of foods (actually carbs). For example potatoes are one of the worst carbs. Drinking juice instead of eating fruit is less desireable.

The Glucose Revolution is probably the best book on the subject. See this link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569245061/103-2218424-6003024?v=glance

Here are some other links to look at:
http://www.glycemicindex.com/
http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/glycemic.asp

Ron

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Type 2, diagnosed Feb 01, Prandin (GlucoNorm), Diet & Exercise

Just a comment on using alcohol wipes. I took a Diabetes Education class at our local hospital and the nurse teaching said that alcohol wipes will dry out the skin and cause it to crack. I have been testing my blood sugar 2 - 3 times a day now since January of this year. I get things ready then wash my hands with soap and water and dry them good. That is all that is necessary. Just make sure they are good and dry.a