Really struggling with this!!!

[8462]

So recently I was diagnosed with Gestational diabetes. I have to check my sugar levels every two hours after I eat something. My problem is that I am starving half the time. Being 8 months (and then some) pregnant I find that it is really hard for me. Before I was diagnosed with diabetes I usually ate if and when I felt like it. Now it seems that everything I eat raises my blood sugar levels and I can't seem to eat enough (of what the doctors are telling me to eat) to fill me up.

Thus I end up sitting there craving food and wanting to be full but I know that I shouldn't eat anything. Any suggestions? What foods should I be eating to make me full? I am really struggling with this.

Because I can't seem to get enough food it's been making my moods swing up and down and my energy levels have completely gone out the window. I don't feel good half the time and truthfully it's really starting to make me depressed.

I just want to feel full and not feel like I am constantly looking for food.

Any Suggestions?

 

[CelticRose]

What are your doctors telling you to eat?

 

[MessianicMommy]

If you have GD, you should have been referred to a dietician. . . if not, you need to find one stat.

 

[8462]

I was not referred to a dietitian. The doctors are basically telling me to eat whole grains and no regular pastas and things like that. They have told me to stay away from Corn and bread as much as possible. She told me to basically eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible as long as they are fresh and not canned. She also told me to try and eat as much protein as possible. My issue is that I am struggling with finding foods that fill me up. It's getting hard because I see my husband and son enjoying foods that I would love to eat but I know that the doctor has told me to stay away from them.

Is there anything that you would recommend? If so please let me know. I am willing to try just about anything at this point.

 

[8462]

Tonight I had Tomato Soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for Dinner. It helped but the issue is that I have been nauseous and it's hard to eat some things. . . I am just looking for relief.

 

[Philothei]

Hey there What helped me with nausea was cheese like saulty kind? But I think it is not good for the diabetis (not sure) and all. I always had some crackers and cheese in my little cooler in the car for snacking it eased off my nausea.

Chicken sandwiches might be good too or turkey? if you are on a diabetes diet also brown rice might be a great source of some starch for you...I heard it even lowers your diabetes... My 0.2 cents.

 

[MessianicMommy]

You definitely need to find out who your insurance covers for dietary needs like this (dietician, nutritionist, endocrinologist, OB specialist etc), otherwise it can create problems for both you and your unborn child. I don't have experience in that avenue, so I can't give any other advice for that. I do however know that unchecked/mishandled gestational diabetes can cause many complications in childbirth and thereafter.

 

[gracefulone1980]

I would suggest seeing a nutrionist. I had GD with two of my pregnancies and they helped me lay out my days of what I could and couldn't eat or what would be a *sometimes* food. They were the ones who kept track of my sugar levels as well. I would fax them in weekly and they would look at the pattern to make sure things were going smoothly. A prenatal endocrinologist would help as well.

 

[8462]

I went to the doctor today and showed her my chart of foods that I was eating along with my sugar levels and I was amazed. She informed me that I am not eating nearly enough which is why I am not getting full. She says that it could also explain why I have dropped 20lbs during the pregnancy.

Any ideas about this one?

 

[MessianicMommy]

small meals help, and just making sure you have time to eat during the day. I know I lost weight with my two, but I changed from eating improperly to proper eating habits. I was hungry all the time - and some of that was due to my metabolism as well as issues I have with Celiac Disease.

You may find that every night you need to spend time making meals for yourself. Fruit, Veg, meat, dairy, grain in the appropriate amounts you need to balance your sugars.
They told us here we must have 2 hot meals and at least one cool / room temp one a day. I think that's more culture than not, but the basic idea behind it is that you sit down and take the time to eat and chew.

 

[8462]

I think that's my biggest problem is that I don't have time to just sit down and eat. I am constantly going going going. . . I have a two year old that keeps me on my toes. . .

I have been struggling with this but I have also been looking up nutritional information online. . . It's been a big help. I still am hungry all the time but eating more protein than what I was has really helped to curve my hunger. . .

thanks

 

[BeautifulCanvas]

I'm glad to see that you've realized that proteins keep you fuller for longer. Eating adequate protein during pregnancy is essential. You can try boiling eggs and keeping them in the fridge for a quick snack, maybe some cottage cheese too. You can google "Brewer's Diet" and it'll give you a lot of ideas on the appropriate amounts of protein and fruit and veg for a heatlhy mama and baby.

 

[8462]

Sounds like a plan. . .

Got fussed at yesterday! Apparently I am still not eating enough. I dropped 5 pounds in one week.

 

[8462]

I will definitely look up Brewer's Diet. . . Thanks

 

[lucypevensie]

It bugs me that you get "fussed at" for not eating enough and losing weight, but the ones doing the fussing don't seem to be guiding you with what to do either.

Probably easier said than done, but I'd be bugging them for more help. If they can't/won't help they should at least be able to give you the name of someone who can help.

 

[MessianicMommy]

^^this

 

[8462]

It bugs me that you get "fussed at" for not eating enough and losing weight, but the ones doing the fussing don't seem to be guiding you with what to do either.

Probably easier said than done, but I'd be bugging them for more help. If they can't/won't help they should at least be able to give you the name of someone who can help.

I said the same thing. . . They don't seem to mind fussing at me but I am completely in the dark with this. All the Drs have said is that I need to "change" my diet but they have not given me any stipulations on what changes I should be making. I am trying so hard but it seems like I can't seem to get a handle on this. . .

my sugar levels have been all over the place and I can't seem to figure out just the right combinations of foods to keep them stable...

Haven't had the chance to look up Brewers Diet yet...

on top of all the stress of pregnancy I have been dealing with a sick 2yo baby boy. . . He has the flu!

YAY ME!!!

I am just taking it one day at a time right now. . . Just trying to get one foot in front of the other most days without tripping and falling. . . If you know what I mean...

Please just pray for me.

 

[BeanMak]

http://www.diabeticmommy.com/34-gestational-diabetes-diet.html

hope this helps. Call your doctor's office for a referral to a Diabetic Dietician. Most insurances should cover it

 

[Mling]

Steel cut oats are really filling, and hulled (not pearled) barley is supposed to be very good for diabetes because it's so full of fiber. In general, solulable fiber is filling and all fiber is slow to break down. If you have access, adding chia seeds to sweet things can lessen their impact on your blood sugar.