Once again, I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This is my fifth pregnancy with this diagnosis. Hopefully, I will continue to be able to control my blood sugar levels with diet. Although an insulin needle is a lot thinner than a pre-filled Lovenox needle, I have no desire to be poking myself with another needle. So what do I eat to keep my blood sugar levels in check?

Breakfast Options:

Breakfast cereals make my blood-sugar levels spike and so does oatmeal. I have not tried steel cut oats or Cream of Wheat yet.

Mid-morning Snack Options: 

• Apple and a slice of cheese
• Popcorn with parmesan cheese
• Kirkland Signature Greek Yogurt with a banana (the KS yogurt has 24 grams of protein which enables me to eat the banana too)
• Some almonds or cashews and a fruit
• Spoonful of peanut butter
• Raw vegetables

• 2 slices of sandwich thins with lunch meat, a slice of cheese, lettuce, and a slice of tomato
• Leftovers from dinner
• Egg salad sandwich, using sandwich thins for bread
• Tuna fish sandwich, using sandwich thins for bread
• Quesadillas
• Salad

• Same as mid-morning snack options (see above)

• Chicken, brown rice, vegetables, lettuce salad with homemade salad dressing
• Beef, brown rice/potato, and vegetables, lettuce salad with homemade salad dressing
• Fish or other seafood, brown rice, vegetables, lettuce salad with homemade salad dressing
• Lentil dish or soup

In the past, I have been able to eat the snacks mentioned under mid-morning snack. This time, it is not working for me to eat a snack before bed. When I do so, my fasting blood sugar levels rise above 90. When I don’t have a snack, my levels are in the 70s in the morning.

I actually have more problems with my blood sugar levels plummeting than I do with them spiking. My children can tell you how often I say, “Please get me… to eat. I feel like I am going to pass out.” When I have checked my blood at these times, my levels are anywhere between 58 and 63. My doctor has told me that some of her other patients have told her the same thing, but she doesn’t understand why some women who test positive for gestational diabetes experience and are affected by such lows. Thankfully, other than breakfast and lunch, my diet doesn’t change much. We tend to eat the things listed above anyway. If I think of other things that I can eat, I will share them.

I can’t wait to hold this little one in my arms in three months. The children are anxious to know whether this baby is a boy or girl.

9/3/2013 Ultrasound 16 weeks