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New with Gestational Diabetes

C

CazF

Newbie
Messages
3
Hi All,

I was diagnosed with GD about 7 weeks ago. I saw a dietician who said my diet was already good, I am slightly overweight but obviously can't diet at the moment, (33weeks pregnant), and I'm as active as I can be, (swim 1km 2-3 times a week and do yoga but am sat at a desk far too much during the day). I have struggled with my blood sugar, particularly in the mornings, but have followed everything I've been told to the letter, the last time I had anything treat like was before diagnosis. I'm now on 2000mg of metformin a day and 20 units of insulin in the morning and still it seems very erratic. I have had 3 hypos recently just before lunch but still have high post breakfast readings. Having read quite a few of the threads I'm now really confused about what I've been told at the hospital. They told me to follow a low GI diet and said wholemeal pasta, basmati rice etc were all good things to eat. At lunch and dinner this seems to be ok advice as the readings aren't too bad but breakfast is a continual battle. Should I be cutting out carbs or not is my question, I'm not sure I could cope without them at the moment as I am so hungry and pretty depressed about it all as it's ruining what should be a lovely time in my life?

All help appreciated as very worried what this is doing to the future health of me and my baby.

Caz
 
Hi caz and welcome.
As you so rightly say, you have the addedd worry of being pregnant and trying to balance your blood sugars.
I follow the G.I. diet but it has to be tailored to your individual need. Perhaps you could let us know what you are eating for breakfast to see if we can help. A lot depends on your readings when you get up prior to eating. If these are high then it makes sense not to include too much carbohydrate in your breakfast. This is known as the dawn phenomenon and some diabetics find it a problem balancing a meal with a higher reading.
Try not to worry too much as worry/stress can send your readings higher.
Hope we can sort something out for you so that the rest of your pregnancy goes well.
Take care,
Catherine.
 
Thanks,
I have tried various breakfasts including wholemeal toast, all bran, oatabix, porridge and even a specific diabetic muesli (hideously expensive but willing to try anything!). My pre-breakfast readings have crept up a bit lately and are generally around 5.5 now so my dr did imply next time I was in he might start me on the slow release insulin at night, bizarrely my BS seems to go up whilst I sleep as I finish the evening around 5. Breakfast at the moment is 2 very small pieces of wholemeal soda bread, (the Ian Rankin loaf if you know it), with olivio and marmite. The same breakfast and the same 20 units of insulin + 1000mg metformin have produced 1hr readings that range from 6.7 to 8.2 which are much better than I've had prior to that but I'm ravenous and have then fallen to around 3 before lunch. I think some of the problem is that following breakfast I just get in the car and drive to work so not working off anything, the weekends have been the better results when I actually move about.
Cheers
Caz
 
Hi caz,
I think that what is missing from your breakfast is protein. This will make you feel fuller for longer and will help to keep your reading steady. How about boiled egg, omelette, putting some cheese or ham with the bread or a yoghurt?
Another bread you might like to try is Burgen Soya and Linseed.
Hope this helps,
Catherine.
 
Cheers,
I have tried the bergen bread but found it really dry, might give it another go with scrambled egg, cheers. I have already told my husband the first brekky I want when I get home from hosp is a nice soft boiled egg, such a pain having to cook everything to death. Will add protein in the morning and see how I go.
Caz
 
Hope everything goes well for you Caz and enjoy your breakfast.
Catherine.
 
Try doing this

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

to get a better handle on what you can eat and when

Some good breakfast ideas

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/ ... fasts.html

I can do about half the carbs at breakfast as for my evening meal, many people have an even steeper slope. My best breakfast is fish, usually smoked salmon, with a couple of oatcakes (max. 12g carbs) and salad including a couple of olives. High protein moderate fat low carb keeps me going a lot longer than other combinations. I max out around 60 - 100g carbs per day but can't do more than about 15g at breakfast, some people are restricted to 5g or less
 
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