Vegan with gestational diabetes

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Shamelessly posting for traffic - sorry!

I’ve just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks pregnant, so for the next 3 months I have to avoid eating too many carbs, and have to eat little and often (3 small meals and 3 snacks per day).

A lot of the dietary advice I’ve read online is geared towards omnivores, so there is a lot of focus on eggs, meat and cheese.

Does anyone have any recommendations for vegan meals and snacks which are high in fibre and protein but low in carbohydrates?

Thank you!

Hopeful bump

I apologise for my comment in advance as it isn't related to what you ask but because it is so important are you aware of the need to ensure you get enough B12 through fortified foods or supplements while pregnant? Also vital if you breastfeed to ensure your own intake to make sure your child is not deficient which can cause nasty problems.

www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-b12/what-every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12

Hi OP, try googling ‘vegan keto’. It’s hard but there are people who do it. I think there is a reddit group.

Tofu is good. Nuts. Low carb veggies - aubergine, courgette, all green veg, mushrooms etc.

I’m curious that they have advised you to eat little and often. Usually the advice for diabetics is to not do that unless there is a particular reason for it?

I had gestational diabetes btw although I’m vegetarian. I know it can feel a bit scary but it’s manageable once you get the hang of it.

Thank you everyone!

@Winter2020 that’s very good advice in general! I take a daily B12 supplement and the milk I drink is fortified with it too so I’m keeping topped up

@Ilovesausages I was told that smaller meals with a snack in between might help keep my blood sugar stable, but it was just advice from the midwife for this week before I go to the diabetes clinic next week, so I will ask them then if it’s advised. Thank you for the food tips

There is a gestational diabetes recipe book on amazon. It is great and there are plenty of vegan friendly recipes.

I think nuts are going to be your crutch. But I think it's going to be really hard, all my meat alternatives are also high in carbs, you may need to consider finding some high welfare sources of at least eggs.
I mostly avoid all animals products and strictly meat for ethical reasons but am also pregnant and trying to prepare myself for having to consider incorporating some into my diet if I cant provide for my baby on my current diet.

@Nottherealslimshady I’ve been thinking about adding in some eggs. My mum keeps hens who are battery farm rescues so about as ethical as it gets. I don’t really want to compromise on being vegan but equally feel I have to prioritise the health of my baby! I might see how it goes for a week or so without and then introduce them if I am struggling.

I have diabetes and recently gave birth. From the third trimester I too was eating small meals with snacks in between - the aim is to stop peaks of blood glucose. If you eat less at any one time then your levels should not peak so high.

I am not vegan, but I snacked on lots of nuts. I also ate a lot of yoghurt and berries/flaked almonds for breakfast - presumably you can find a (low sugar!) vegan yoghurt that you could use. Avocado is great too, and bean based salads.

You can have some carbs, and if you eat them with something fatty then they digest more slowly so the glucose impact on your blood is slower ie you get less of a peak and more of a gentle hill.

Are you on any other form of treatment or just diet controlled? Metformin may be something they put you on.

Feel free to pm me if you’d like to talk.

I've just had my baby, but found the advice on the gestationaldiabetes.co.uk website and linked Facebook group really helpful in getting my head around what I could eat and in providing moral support through what can be a bit of a crappy time. (And the recipes are good, especially the chocolate brownies!) I'm not vegan, but I noticed there were often vegan alternatives provided - probably worth a look, anyway!

Tesco do a lovely unsweetened soya yoghurt, it's in there free from section. I have that with a load of almonds in for breakfast. I'm not began but was pre diabetic so I low carb.
Livlife bread is low carb and I think vegan. Toasted pine nuts lovely on roasted low carb veg. Nuts and avocados are low carb and very nutrient dense.