What do I eat? Still not sure.. lowfat?fruit?

[DonnaF]

I'm still waiting to get a referral for a Dr about my newly DXed GD. I have no idea what I am doing. Can I eat fruit? Juice? What is "low-carb"? Lets say I aim for 100 a day - how do I break that up? I mean, can I have 1 meal with 50 and 2 with 25? or should I do 5 with 20? Also, I often see low-fat things suggested but I am underweight and pregnant. I've always been underweight. I was gaining at a healthy rate throughout this pregnancy but mostly b/c I increased my carbs. Now I don't know what to eat and not lose weight. I am hungry all the time but lately my sugar is above 100 even when I'm hungry and eating just makes it go even higher. I've looked up sample meal plans on-line and saw suggestions of, for example:
Breakfast: egg, 1 slice toast w/margarine (I use butter b/c I need the fat - or so i think), 1/2 banana and fruit juice. I did that and my levels went up and kept going up for several hours. Now it is lunchtime and again I have no idea what to eat. It is now up to 123 and I've been hungry all morning. I don't have a clue what I could possibly eat to bring the sugar down, and I obviously can't skip a meal. My sugar tends to drop very rapidly - especially as I get hungry - so not eating will eventually lead me to a low-bs attack.

I'd love some suggestions. And I will eat something in the meantime;) - not sure what, but will eat....

Thanks~

[DonnaF]

Also, what about beverages? Can I drink decaf coffee? Decaf tea? Should diabetics avoid caffeine? Would the small amounts in decaf be unsafe? What about small amounts of wine? I sometimes drink 2oz before a meal (only once a day, and not everyday)to get my digestion working better.

Thank you again~

[fgummett]

You are eating for two, so you need to make sure you get nutritionally balanced food. Avoid fad diets as they generally skip one food group or another. Low-fat is a bad idea as good fats are your friend... EVOO, Avocado, nuts (walnuts, almonds) but by all means avoid saturated fats. Low carb (not no-carb) is good for BS control and it is better to break your 100g up across several meals... again less carb at each sitting = less likely to spike your BS. BUT 100g may not be enough for you and the baby... can you talk with a registered dietitian... one who does not spout the ADA high carb credo? You +1 needs protein, fish, chicken etc... but again you may want to watch the guidelines for fish in terms of mercury and your unborn. Fresh, unprocessed, simple food is always best, so feel free to eat plenty of "real" food. Don't starve yourself but avoid refined and processed foods. Emphasis on veggies rather than fruit but don't exclude fruit. Avoid white food.. bread, potatoes, pasta, rice...

I avoid caffeine because of cholesterol and BP... I just don't think we need it plus I understand it is not great for the unborn. Green tea in moderation may be OK but water is your best friend. Wine again in very small amounts if at all... again I voice concern about alcohol and the unborn.

[xMenace]

Avoid fad diets as they generally skip one food group or another. Low-fat is a bad idea as good fats are your friend... EVOO, Avocado, nuts (walnuts, almonds) but by all means avoid saturated fats.

I agree about not doing low-fat. its benefits are proving to me a myth. I don't avoid saturated fats, but I try to reduce them. Avoid trans-fats as much as possible.

Wine again in very small amounts if at all... again I voice concern about alcohol and the unborn.

I whole-heartedly agree that you should cut out all alcohol while pregnant. Afterwards, wine and caffinated coffee are fine unless BP and (?)cholesterol concerns are there.

As for carbs, watch my videos in my sig. It's refined seeds and sugar that are bad. There's HFCS in just about everything. Over 60% of Americans' carbs comes from corn. Not good. Lower them, but shoot for whole grains and any fruits. Juices and carbed drinks are all bad.

[DonnaF]

You are eating for two, so you need to make sure you get nutritionally balanced food. Avoid fad diets as they generally skip one food group or another. Low-fat is a bad idea as good fats are your friend... EVOO, What is EVOO? Avocado, nuts (walnuts, almonds) Yeah, now they warn about nuts during pregnancy b/c they believe they cause allergies in the child later in life... I'm also allergic to most nuts except walnuts and peanuts, but I wouldn't want to eat those daily. can you talk with a registered dietitian... one who does not spout the ADA high carb credo? Hopefully eventually I will. I am still waiting for a referral to a doctor about the sugar, so there isn't even any talk about a nutritionist yet. You +1 needs protein, fish, chicken etc... but again you may want to watch the guidelines for fish in terms of mercury and your unborn. Fresh, unprocessed, simple food is always best, so feel free to eat plenty of "real" food. I do that for the most part. I make more dinner so I can have leftovers for lunch the next day... But I don't always have leftovers and then I'm not sure what to do. Snacks are another issue. I typically ate fruit and carb together, like strawberries and prezels. Sometimes yogurt and some chips. Don't starve yourself but avoid refined and processed foods. Emphasis on veggies rather than fruit but don't exclude fruit. Avoid white food.. bread, potatoes, pasta, rice... Fortunately most of the gluten-free varieties of breads and carbs like that are whole-grain like brown rice. I don't know if tapioca is considered "white" food. It is white, but I don't know if it is whole-grain or a simple-carb. Some of my breads and crackers are made from tapioca flour. I avoid caffeine because of cholesterol and BP... I just don't think we need it plus I understand it is not great for the unborn. Green tea in moderation may be OK but water is your best friend. Yes I drink lots of water, but I like tea for a change and an occasional iced coffee - both decaf. Do you think there is too much caffeine even in the decaf? Also, I usually have about 4oz of oj in the morning, and if my sugar feels low in the afternoon I usually have about 4oz of puch or lemonade, but never alone b/c that would just make my sugar spike and fall again. I always eat something with it.

Thank You~

[DonnaF]

Afterwards, wine and caffinated coffee are fine unless BP and (?)cholesterol concerns are there. I can never handle the caffeine in regular coffee or tea, so I wouldn't go back to that after pregnancy. My BP is low-normal and I don't have any cholesterol problems to this date, although high-chol. does run in my family.
As for carbs, watch my videos in my sig. It's refined seeds and sugar that are bad. There's HFCS in just about everything. Over 60% of Americans' carbs comes from corn. Not good. Lower them, I will check the video. I'm not sure what you are talking about. What is HFCS? but shoot for whole grains and any fruits. Juices and carbed drinks are all bad.I don't drink carb. bev., and only juice if my bs is really low, and first thing in the morning with my eggs/toast as my bs is usually quite low in the a.m.

Thank You~

[DonnaF]

Just watching some of those videos....

I think I would waste away if I ate mostly veggies in my diet :o

[fgummett]

Sorry... EVOO = Extra Virgin Olive Oil :D

Not sure about Tapioca... I wonder if anyone else knows?

Nuts during pregnancy... I see the headlines now that you mention it... it's hard to know which way to turn sometimes. Frankly I'm puzzled as to why an entirely natural and unprocessed food would affect anybody in a negative way but apparently it does.

HFCS = High Fructose Corn Syrup... pick up just about any processed food and you will see it listed. Some studies suggest that it is a particularly insidious sugar as it does not trigger the normal satiety response... you might have just ingested a bucketful of sugar but your body doesn't realise it... reaches for yet another can of soda. It is cheap and plentiful... partly I believe, due to high levels of subsidies paid to US corn farmers... hence its use in everything, and why it is cheaper to buy 2litres of pop than an apple.

[Evermont]

Donna - you've already received some great advice here so I'll just agree with John and Frank.

EVOO is Extra Virgin Olive Oil - a main source of monounsaturated fats which are considered to be "the good kind of fat". Find ways to include it where you can.

HFCS is High Fructose Corn Syrup. It's a scourge that has found its way into way too many food products. Avoid it at every turn.

Tapioca is made from cassava (link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapioca)). As with other carbs, try some and test your blood glucose to see what affect it has on you personally.

[DonnaF]

Sorry... EVOO = Extra Virgin Olive Oil :D Ahhh..... Ok:D Can't fry an egg with it though ;) . I really can't think of much of anything I use it on except my salad. I steam, boil and broil/grill w/out an oil or butter for just about everything and I always lightly steam my veggies very plainly. But I assume you probably mean as a replacement for butter on cooked veggies and such? I do use butter on those. I suppose butter is not a good choice (?)
HFCS = High Fructose Corn Syrup Ok, right. Yes that is in a lot of things, but I generally steer away from sweets anyway except for an occasional candy bar or juice when my bs is low.

Still watching that video btw... I had no idea corn was used so much. Does it matter that the animals are fed it too? Does it affect eggs and meat if they are? (I'll probably find out in the video as I watch......). If it is that common I imagine the only way to avoid it is to buy from specialty markets for organic meats and such (?)

[DonnaF]

Tapioca is made from cassava (link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapioca)). As with other carbs, try some and test your blood glucose to see what affect it has on you personally. Ok. I am testing myself every 1 and 2 hours after I eat to see. I didn't realize I had leftovers from last night to eat for lunch today. I had steak and broccoli with a little potato, then a small amount of berries, and so far I feel good and after 2 hours my sugar has gone steadily down, finally to a safe level. Still not sure how I will replace my breakfast tomorrow though. Steak and broccoli don't sound too appealing for breakfast, and I can't think of anything appealing for breakfast that isn't high-carb in some way, like cereal, waffles, bananas.... - except for the egg, which is not going to be enough food for me by itself.

[fgummett]

I use EVOO for everything... it is the only oil in the house and I regularly fry eggs with it... why not? I put it on salads and veggies, sometime with a little balsamic vinegar. You can even snack with it by dipping small pieces of bread or crackers in EVOO and balsamic vinegar. It is the cornerstone of the much valued Mediterranean diet. Healthy fats like EVOO help to keep you feeling full for longer, they also slow digestion and are associated with other health benefits lie lowering cholesterol, BP etc... I'd go for butter over margarine... especially if it is hydrogenated (man-made trans fats - don't eat them at all) but I'd go for EVOO over butter.

The trouble with HFCS is that you don't just find it is "sweet" things... check out a can of baked beans, yogurts, or many baked goods for examples. Like salt... it is practically impossible to eliminate it from your food unless you prepare everything from scratch.

Steak and egg works for breakfast, or eggs with sausages and/or cheese and/or turkey bacon. Add some cut up peppers, onions etc... and enjoy an omelette.

[DonnaF]

I regularly fry eggs with it... why not? Ok, admittedly I never tried it :T . I know you can't fry one in margarine w/out it making the egg break apart and stick to the pan. I put it on salads and veggies, sometime with a little balsamic vinegar. You can even snack with it by dipping small pieces of bread or crackers in EVOO and balsamic vinegar. I always have cheese with my crackers - sometimes yogurt. Would EVOO be better than cheese? I never ever use margarine. I've known for years it isn't really even food -eeek. The trouble with HFCS is that you don't just find it is "sweet" things... check out a can of baked beans, yogurts, or many baked goods for examples. Fortunately I can't eat many of those processed foods anyway b/c of my gf diet, and the ones that are gluten free are mostly organic and use pear juice or cane. I don't see any corn syrup in any of my gf baked goods, it is, however, in my yogurt (yoplait). I used to buy plain and just mix my own fruit and small amount of sugar in it myself. I'll probably go back to doing that. I only switched for convenience when we went on vacation and then got used to it. Like salt... it is practically impossible to eliminate it from your food unless you prepare everything from scratch. Speaking of.... I have lower-normal bp, so I'm not much concerned about salt affecting that (not yet anyway), but does salt have an affect on bs?
..or eggs with sausages Istill haven't found a gf variety. I'd love that though. ...and/or cheese and/or turkey bacon. Add some cut up peppers, onions etc... and enjoy an omelette.Ok, now you're talking. I could definatley go for a veggie omelette! Haven't done that in years and didn't even think of it. Can't wait for breakfast now...

Thank You!

[fgummett]

I fry everything in EVOO.

Cheese is OK with crackers too... EVOO and Balsamic "dip" might just add some variety. Some folks like a slice of beefsteak tomato, covered with a slice of mozzarella, drizzled with EVOO + fresh ground pepper.

Great that you already avoid processed foods. Salt is not especially bad for D (so far as I know) but Type 2 often comes along with high BP... certainly did in my case... so I guess I was just relating my own experience going around the store, trying in vain to find low/no salt versions of processed foods. In much the same way that HCFS turns up in many "un-sweet" foods, salt also turns up in a surprising number of "un-savoury" foods.

Gluten Free sausages... see, there is me not even thinking that they use wheat flour as fillers in sausage. Perhaps your local butcher could make you up some meat only ones?

Once you open you mind to accepting that low-fat eating is not the best way, you have all kinds of opportunities for a filling breakfast that will set you up nicely for the day... it really is the most important meal, just like our Mums told us. :D

[DonnaF]

EVOO and Balsamic "dip" might just add some variety. Sounds like a nice switch. Some folks like a slice of beefsteak tomato, covered with a slice of mozzarella, drizzled with EVOO + fresh ground pepper. Ok, another good one. Eating it as I type....Gluten Free sausages... see, there is me not even thinking that they use wheat flour as fillers in sausage. Perhaps your local butcher could make you up some meat only ones? Hmm, dunno. I think I've tried this before, but I'm consulting the celiac board to find out if there are any mainstream brands out there that are gf. I once tried homemade sausage and didn't like it. it really is the most important meal, just like our Mums told us. :D
Absolutely! I don't think I've ever skipped one in my life, but mostly b/c I've always been hypogly. Yet I haven't felt great for an entire morning as far back as I can remember. I've never found a breakfast that really works to keep my sugar up (and now, down as well!) Going to try that omelette tomorrow though and hopefully that will help.

Think I should forego the juice? Or the toast? Or the banana? Would JUST the egg and veggies do it you think? Or is it better to add some carb or sugar to it to make it more balanced? I obviously can't have all of the above like I did today. That must have been too much carbs and sugar.

[fgummett]

I haven't felt great for an entire morning as far back as I can remember. I've never found a breakfast that really works to keep my sugar up (and now, down as well!) Going to try that omelette tomorrow though and hopefully that will help.

Think I should forego the juice? Or the toast? Or the banana? Would JUST the egg and veggies do it you think? Or is it better to add some carb or sugar to it to make it more balanced? I obviously can't have all of the above like I did today. That must have been too much carbs and sugar.
I predict that you will find that the lower carb, higher fat and protein breakfast will leave you feeling satisfied a lot longer... it certainly has worked for me and I was always feeling hungry.

Best thing to do with OJ etc... is to try it and test your BS to see how you react. OJ in particular tends to have a very fast curve both up AND then down again... why it is so good for an hypo, but not good if used too often as a food... too many spikes in BS which make it harder to manage and tend to get out of control. But if you drink it with your omelette you may find it attenuates that spike... slowing the release of the sugar over a longer period :)

[soso]

I don't think butter is a bad choice.. I love it... also whipping (heavy) cream figures highly in my diet... great in scrambled eggs, or over chopped apple..

[DonnaF]

I don't think butter is a bad choice.. I love it... also whipping (heavy) cream figures highly in my diet... great in scrambled eggs, or over chopped apple..
Oh that sounds lovely but I'm fairly lactose-intolerant. I can manage cream by evening and sometimes even in the afternoon, but definately not in the a.m..

[DonnaF]

Best thing to do with OJ etc... is to try it and test your BS to see how you react. OJ in particular tends to have a very fast curve both up AND then down again... why it is so good for an hypo, but not good if used too often as a food... too many spikes in BS which make it harder to manage and tend to get out of control. But if you drink it with your omelette you may find it attenuates that spike... slowing the release of the sugar over a longer period :)
Hopefully so. I will elimanate the bread and definately the banana tomorrow and just drink enough oj to get my vitamins down - usually about 5oz. I'll even try cooking the omelette in the oil this time :)

I'll let you know how it works!

I'm still looking for snack ideas too. I have to eat every 2 hours to avoid hypoglycemia but need to keep the bs from getting too high too. Bananas are out - it makes me crash shortly after. I usually have cheese and crackers with a V8 but that often isn't enough. Looking for something that I can travel with too.

Any ideas anyone?