Gestational Diabetes

[rebecca100]

I have not been diagnosed with GD as yet, however I went into hospital for reduced movements yesterday and a routine urine test showed a slight trace of glucose. I have now been referred for an actual GD test, im preempting having it so wanted to start making the relevant changes. Does anyone have any food ideas for curbing the sweet cravings?

Hi @rebecca100
slightly different situation but my scans have been showing a very large baby. They’ve never sent me for a GTT however the moment they mentioned it as a possibility I’ve tried to make changes to my diet to reduce the carb/ sugar content to limit the damage (I don’t fall into a risk category so they won’t test me).
The gestational diabetes U.K. website is brilliant, but I typically snack on dry roasted nuts, cheese, a square of dark chocolate is fine too. The sweet cravings have been a challenge, but an Options hot chocolate in the evening does help to curb them a bit. It’s really not easy navigating it! Hopefully you don’t actually have it 🤞🏼

@Cdoc thank you so much for your response. I to have not been in a high risk category, my measurements show that baby is measuring as on the average line, literally being tested because of the tiny amount of trace glucose in my sample. Hopefully it was a one off that day, will be changing my diet as if I have got it l, hopefully this will help with the rest next week. I haven't been particularly careful with my diet which is my fault.
Thank you for the tips, they will definitely help 💕

@rebecca100 definitely, it’s so hard when you don’t know whether you have it or not, but I’m sure even just a few small changes until you find out properly will make you feel much better 💕

I have GD. Sugar free jelly and protein puddings (eg salted caramel or chocolate) help me get my sweet fix. And I can have a freddo occasionally if I pair it with something high fat/high protein like a handful of nuts or double cream. You might be ok in the test, you never know.

@Sparklesocks thank you so much, really helpful 🤗

Try not to worry to much I had 4+ glucose in my urine 3 times has GTT and negative but they have given me a moniter to use a home I have to test one full day a week and if any high readings ring the midwife so far has been fine made minor adjustments to diet but nothing major I'm 30 weeks and have only gained 4lb and baby is measuring fine x

Hi @rebecca100

GD mum to be here

Different foods will help different people, some people with GD maybe able to tolerate a slice of brown bread for example and some won't. Some weeks you maybe able to tolerate certain foods next day you can't..this is how crazy GD can be.

If you have social media, i would highly recommend following gestational diabieties UK.. They have so much helpful information and understanding (especially around this pairing thing)

I wish u all the best for the pregnancy 💕

@blibbyblobb and @Heath2330 thank you so much guys, feeling so much more at ease and prepared for potential diagnosis x

Oppo ice cream and Nature Valley or Kind protein bars are fairly well tolerated if you are looking for something sweet. Also chocolate mousse made from dark chocolate and double cream or berries with youhurt.

Reduce the portion size for carbs and replace white carbs with brown. Eat protein or natural fats (cheese, Greek yoghurt, double cream etc) whenever you eat carbs. Always buy the full fat version of anything dairy. Any meal consisting of meat/fish (or vege friendly protein), veggies and small portion of brown carbs or potatoes seemed fine for me.

The diet is excellent for reducing weight gain in pregnancy. I can only imagine how much weight i’d lose if I could continue it post pregnancy!

@trrk thank you! Sooo helpful, I've just spent a small fortune in Sainsburys 🤣. Even if the test next week shows I don't have it, I think keeping these changes anyway can only be a good thing.

I had GD with my last pregnancy and I struggled to tolerate much at all but sugar free lemonade was very helpful when needing a sweet fix!

I have GD, diagnosed at 28 weeks, found it very hard at first but once you get used to it it's fine. I have actually managed to lose 2 stone during my pregnancy, although I started with a high bmi, I'm set to be over 3 stone lighter than my pre pregnancy weight once I've given birth, which is amazing.
It's trial and error to see what you can tolerate, it sounds weird but putting healthy fats with carbs really helps me to tolerate food more. I can tolerate 2 small slices of whole meal toast as long as it's spread well with butter. I can also tolerate a medium jacket potato if it's paired with plenty of butter. Whole meal spaghetti is also fine for me with spag bol, plenty of cheese on top.
The fibre one bars I can tolerate fine too. I do find that meat and cheese are my best friends, although I don't think I can ever face another babybel again. I find fruit hard to tolerate, the only fruit I seem fine with is strawberries. Nuts are a very good snack and I tolerate them well too.
I have now been put on insulin at bed time because I wasn't able to get my fasting levels overnight under control no matter what I tried. I was upset about it at first as my after meal readings have always been fine and I wanted to stay diet controlled but actually the insulin is slow release and I think it works all day as all my readings are lower and I seem to tolerate foods more. You must make sure you do have some carbs though, I have been told of a couple of times at hospital appointments because my body has been in ketosis, which wasn't intentional.
The main thing for me is that my baby is growing perfectly, she's the perfect size and estimate weight for her age and she's happy and healthy, that's all I care about. There is a fab Facebook group gestational diabetes uk, which provides loads of support and meal ideas. Best of luck and if you have you, try not to worry you'll manage fine

@Rainbowbub22 this is amazing, thank you so much for taking time to write such a detailed response x