Ohhhh KRISTI!!!! Where are you? Hope you come by soon cuz I still think about you even though you're not dieting and wonder how you are. Bet you're busy but swing by and say hi when you get a chance

I'm agreeing with Lisa... we all really really really really really miss you!!! Lol! No, I mean really!!! Tell us how you are and how the pregnancy is going... still waiting to see some preggy pics too Sent with lots of love n lots of hugs!!!
Natasha

Im Jelly Belly.. Just stopping by. Hope you are doing good with the pregnancy and all. You take care and drink lots of WATER!!!

It was so good to come in here tonight and read y'all's sweet comments. The support and friendship of you all means so much to me!!!


It looks like I'm back on the wagon sooner than expected and I will be updating a lot more often. Today my doctor called me and said that I have gestational diabetes and he has put me on a diabetic diet and an exercise regimen of walking at least 4 times a week for at least 20 minutes at a time.

Soooo, I'm back in full swing with the accountability, measuring my food, counting calories (2,000 calories a day) and this time around counting carbs. Carbs are not evil for diabetics, but they do have to be monitored. I think I can have 15 carbs for snacks and about 50 carbs for each meal. From what I understand so far, a lot of it has to do with portion control. Not too much is off limits, it's just monitoring how much of whatever it is that I can eat at one time. Since I'm just starting off, it might take me a little while to get it right. I'll be taking my blood sugar to see what works for me and what doesn't since everyone is different. I hope this is just a pregnant thing and not something that I will have for life. In the meantime I am going to look at this as a blessing and see it as a motivator to live the healthy life that I want to live anyway. If anyone has any advice about diabetes I would love to hear it. I'm going to the hospital tomorrow to pick up some info on gestational diabetes and hopefully it will be informative enough for me to know what I need to do. Also, I have another glucose test next Wednesday or Thursday to see how my body does just being on this diet and walking four times a week. If my blood sugar is still high I will have to start giving myself insulin shots everyday. I hope I can monitor it with my diet. We'll just see how it goes! I'll be catching up with all of you very soon! BIG HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I copied the following from this website as a reference for when I am at a loss of what to eat. I will eventually make my own list similar to this.

Pregnancy | High-Risk Pregnancy | Gestational Diabetes: Menu Ideas


The following menus contain 30 grams of carbohydrates:

Sandwich made with:
Two slices of bread, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Egg, cheese, meat or tuna
Mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato

One-half sandwich, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
Eight ounces of milk, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates


Two small six-inch size corn or flour tortillas, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Cheese, meat, avocado, lettuce, tomato, low-fat sour cream, salsa

One hamburger or cheeseburger, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates

Twelve saltine crackers, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Cheese or sugar-free peanut butter

One English muffin, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Cheese, eggs or peanut butter

One cup of cooked oatmeal, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Butter, cinnamon or Equal

Three graham cracker squares, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
One cup of milk, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

One cup of aspartame sweetened yogurt, equaling approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates

One piece of toast. Butter or margarine, if desired

One cup of unsweetened yogurt, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

15 grapes or one cup of melon or one very small banana, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

Six cups of popcorn, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates

One cup of sugar-free pudding, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates

One small bag of pretzels or baked chips, read label for 30 grams of carbohydrates

One cup of plain yogurt or aspartame sweetened yogurt, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

Three tablespoons of Grapenuts cereal, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

14 Ritz Crackers, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
Broth

One-half of large bagel, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Peanut butter or cheese

Two rice cakes, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
One cup of milk, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

One small piece of fruit, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
One cup of milk, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

One cup of soup, read label for 15 grams of carbohydrates
Six saltine crackers, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates

Two-thirds cup of buttered noodles, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Parmesan cheese

One small apple, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
Seven Ritz crackers, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
One string cheese

One whole pita bread, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, onions, lettuce

One-half cup of cooked grits, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
One piece of toast, equaling 15 grams of carbohydrates
One or two eggs

Muffin-pizzas made with one whole English muffin, equaling 30 grams of carbohydrates
Sugar-free pasta sauce
Vegetables, cheese

Sooo glad to see that you are back. However wish it was under different circumstances.
How much longer do you have before baby Ivy gets here?
Sorry this is short but I got's to get on outta here.
Ciao Sweety!

This is just another helpful website for gestational diabetics. Sample meals and great info.....


Copied the following from this website:

Managing Gestational Diabetes


According to the American Diabetes Association, the following is an approximate range for carbohydrates.

Breakfast: 15-30grams. Gestational diabetic moms may find that their blood sugar levels are high in the morning. It is suggested that no fruits be consumed with breakfast along with staying away from milk and cold cereals. This is also dependent on the individual.

AM Snack: 15-30grams

Lunch: 45grams

Snack: 15-30grams

Dinner: 45-60grams

Bedtime Snack: 45grams

You will be getting into the routine of eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of larger, more spaced apart ones.

Meal planning should include a good variety of different foods from each food group. Limiting or eliminating sweets from your diet will help you with your blood glucose regulation. Try to also limit or eliminate sugary or sweet beverages like soda and fruit juices. It is also important to eat proteins with your carbohydrates.

You’re probably curious about what you can actually eat and what foods have carbohydrates in them. When you’re reading food labels, you’re going to want to pay special attention to serving sizes and total carbohydrates.

Below are some examples of serving sizes. Keep in mind that each food listed in each group is equal to the grams of carbohydrates indicated.

15 grams of carbohydrates from the bread group looks something like this:
-One slice of bread or one pancake or one flour tortilla or ¼ of a bagel

15 grams of carbohydrates from the cereal and grains group looks something like this:
-1/2 cup of oatmeal or cooked cereal or 1/3 cup pasta or rice or ¼ cup low fat granola

15 grams of carbohydrates from starchy vegetables looks something like this:
-1/2 cup-corn, green beans, mashed potatoes or ¼ of a large baked potato or 1 cup winter squash

15 grams of carbohydrates from beans, peas and lentils is approximately
-1/2 cup beans or 2/3 cup lima beans or ½ cup lentils

15 grams of carbohydrates from some snack foods is approximately:
-3 gram crackers or 6 saltines or 3 cups popcorn or ½ cup pretzels

15 grams of carbohydrates from the fruit group is approximately:
-1/2 cup canned or fresh fruit or ½ cup unsweetened juice or ¼ cup dried fruit

12 grams of carbohydrates from milk and yogurt is approximately:
-1 cup milk or ¾ cup plain non-fat yogurt or 1 cup fat free yogurt

For those who can’t eliminate sweets or would like an occasional treat:
-1 2” brownie or 2 small cookies or ½ cup of sugar and fat free ice cream is approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Non-starchy veggies:
-1/2 cup vegetable juice or ½ cup cooked veggies is approximately 5 grams of carbohydrates.

Foods high in fiber are also important in your diet. Not to mention is also helps you feel fuller longer along with keeping you regular. Beans, oatmeal, oat bran and some fruits and veggies contain natural fiber. You can also add fiber to your diet by consuming some over the counter bulk fiber.

You’re probably noticing by now that becoming conscious of what your labels say and eating in moderation is the key in helping to manage your gestational diabetes.

Here are a few sample menus.

Breakfast:
2 pieces of whole grain bread-toasted
2 tablespoons of peanut butter (protein)
½ cup 100% juice

Am Snack:
1 Apple
1 cup cottage cheese

Lunch:
1 cup bean soup
6 whole grain crackers
2 ounces of low fat cheese
1 cup baby carrots

Snack:
3 cup popcorn
½ cup of artificially sweetened pudding

Dinner:
4 oz broiled chicken
2/3 cup cooked brown rice
1 small whole grain roll with 1 tsp margarine
Small salad with 2tbs of low fat dressing

Bedtime Snack:
1 ounce string cheese
½ PB&J sandwich (diet jelly-whole grain bread)

Breakfast:
2 scrambled eggs
1 slice whole wheat
1 tsp margarine

Snack:
1 small apple
1 cup low fat milk
1 serving of cheese

Lunch:
Chef Salad with 1 ounce of turkey, 1 hard boiled egg, 1 ounce of low fat cheese

Snack:
3 cup popcorn
1 reduced calorie juice

Dinner:
3oz steak
½ cup steamed veggies
1 large slice of bakery bread

Bedtime Snack:
Sugar free gelatin with 1 serving of fruit


Your doctor will probably recommend frequent blood sugar monitoring. You can accomplish this at home by pricking your finger with a tiny needle called a lancet and placing a drop of blood on your glucose machine for a reading.

You should check your blood glucose when you rise in the morning and before you eat-unless directed by your doctor otherwise. Write down your readings and take them with you for your check-ups.

Changing your diet and routine might seem overwhelming at first but it does get easier with practice. You’ll quickly learn how different foods affect your blood sugars differently. The important thing to remember is to not skip meals in an attempt to limit your carbohydrate intake. This practice can make you become quite ill by causing your blood sugar to drop to an unsafe level.

There are also books available, cookbooks and others, to help you with your meal planning. Speaking with your doctor and a dietician is always best since they are better equipped to help you manage your progress.

© Rebecca Pillar 2008

Thanks! I have about 12 weeks left. Not too much longer! I'll post belly and nursery pics soon Glad you popped by!

Sorry to hear you have to go through this, but won't be long now before your little one is here!

Thanks! You're so right!

I've been doing pretty good with my low carb diet and so-so on walking. Tomorrow morning I go in for my 2 hour glucose test to see if my blood sugar is normal. I'm hoping for the best! I went in on Monday and we did another 3D ultrasound. Ivy is sooo cute! She has big hamster cheeks and is so pretty. She weighs about 2 pounds, but I think she's hiding it all in her face!

Ivy! What a wonderful name.

I will say a prayer that your glucose test is normal.

Hey girlie... I'm glad you're back, but I wish it weren't under these circumstances... I will be praying for you. I have heard that gestational diabetes can be really scary at times, but I know that you can do it and you will be so much healthier for you and the baby.. It sounds like you're already on the right track and you are seeking to inform yourself which is the most thing you can do.. I can't wait to see pics of little Ivy, it won't be too much longer now. You hang in there girlie and keep giving it your all. I miss you and I will check in on you when I get a chance again. Miss you much!!!
Natasha

Thank y'all for the prayers!! That means a lot to me. I do in fact have gestational diabetes and am now on a low dose medication (Glyburide) and will continue with the diabetes diet until I have my baby. Hopefully everything will be fine after that. My blood sugar levels were great after I ate (111) but they were too high in the morning before I ate (125). My doctor seemed baffled with this so I am have to go once a week, prob. Thursdays, to take 2 blood tests. One before I have eaten anything, and another one two hours after I eat something on the diet. TEN more weeks of that craziness! Oh well, it's worth it for my health and the health of my baby.

The easy way out would be insulin, but I hear the side effects are water retention, weight gain, and carb cravings.....I don't want to get any fatter than I need to!!!!

I weighed myself this morning and I was 219. This puts me at a 10 pound weight gain so far. I'm about 30 weeks along(come Thursday) which is 8 months pregnant. So 10 pounds isn't too bad. I really want to try to stay below 230 lbs. Some obese women do not gain any weight at all and just maintain. I was shooting for that, but it didn't happen. If I was more active throughout this pregnancy then that might have been possible. I didn't do as well as I wanted this weekend and yesterday with eating and my blood sugar was high. I've got to be accountable! I'll be posting my daily food again and hopefully I will stick with it like I used to!

Healthy target range for glucose levels:

Fasting glucose level No higher than 95
One hour after eating No higher than 140
Two hours after eating No higher than 120

General rules for carb consumption:

Breakfast: 15-30grams
AM Snack: 15-30grams
Lunch: 45grams
Snack: 15-30grams
Dinner: 45-60grams
Bedtime Snack: 45grams



(I usually don't drink milk with breakfast because the carbs are too high for breakfast (15 carbs for breakfast is recommended) but I wanted to try it to see if my sugar levels would be fine anyway. If they are fine, then I'll know in the future that I can drink milk with breakfast.
After an hour it was 157...too high. Maybe my 2 hour test will be better. I'll update at 11:00. ...My two hour test was high too- 137. poop. I don't know if it was the milk or the blueberries. I had forgotten that I can't eat fruit in the morning. And I should try a lower carb milk like unsweetened soy or even skim. I'm going to get this right eventually!

219 lbs.

(27 carbs) Breakfast: 1 Kashi waffle (15 carbs), natural pb(0 carbs), handful of blueberries(1 carb), 1 c. 2% milk(11 carbs)

(49 carbs) Lunch: Kashi Rosemary Chicken(45 carbs), with one wedge of Light Laughing cow cheese(1 carb), Crystal Light Pink Lemonade(0 carb 0 sugar), Light 'n Fit Carb and Sugar Control vanilla yogurt(3 carbs), with a spoonful of chopped walnuts(1 carb)

(25 carbs) Snack: 1/2 toasted whole wheat pita(15 carbs), 1/4 small granny smith apple(5 carbs), cheddar cheese(0 carbs) 1/2 cup milk (5 carbs)

(60) Dinner: 2 eggs (2 carbs), two pieces of toast (30 carbs),1 T. low sugar strawberry preserves (6 carbs), 2 pieces of center cut "lean" (lol) bacon (0 carbs), 1/2 cup of grits with cheese(11 carbs) 1 c. milk (11 carbs)

(31 carbs) Snack: 1 piece banana bread with walnuts(30 carbs), 1 cup 2% milk (11 carbs)