Eat Small Meals throughout the Day

» Diabetes 2 symptoms
» Symptoms for diabetes
» diabetes symptoms and treatment
» Pre diabetic symptoms
» Neuropathy in diabetes
» Best medicine for diabetes type 2
» Diabetes type 1 and type 2
» Diabetes recipes
» How to prevent diabetes
» Feet and diabetes
» Herbal medicine for diabetes
» Herbal treatment for diabetes type 2
» pre diabetic diet
» control of diabetes
» pump for diabetes
» risk factors of diabetes
» smoking and diabetes type 2
» diabetes type 2 risk factors
» insulin type 2
» a-1 diabetes
Eating and pregnancy go hand in hand. Even though it doesn’t seem fair to be pregnant

and not get to eat what and when you want it is healthier for you and your baby. The old

adage of eating for two is true but many women overeat when they are pregnant and gain

more weight than they should.

The more food that you eat in one sitting the harder it is going to be for your body to

produce enough insulin to turn the sugar into energy. Not only is what you eat important

so is the portion sizes. Your doctor or dietician will provide you with a meal plan and it

is wise to follow it as closely as possible.

Since you will be eating smaller meals, you are going to need to eat more frequently to

keep your energy up. The best way to do this is plan on eating six smaller meals

throughout the day. You will keep a steady stream of nourishment going into your body

and if you eat at the same time each day it will make it easier for your body to regulate

insulin production and use.

A schedule that works for many women is to eat a small breakfast and then continue to

eat approximately every two to three hours. This will include a mid-morning snack,

lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and a bedtime snack. If you are still finding you are

hungry in between meals or are finding ketones when you test your urine, consult with

your doctor or dietician. They are sure to have suggestions to help you make changes

that will work better for you. Such as eating more protein at meals or filling up on more

vegetables (something that can be eaten as a free food at any time).




Eat Small Meals throughout the Day

Dinner Ideas for Women with Gestational Diabetes

» Diabetes 2 symptoms
» Symptoms for diabetes
» diabetes symptoms and treatment
» Pre diabetic symptoms
» Neuropathy in diabetes
» Best medicine for diabetes type 2
» Diabetes type 1 and type 2
» Diabetes recipes
» How to prevent diabetes
» Feet and diabetes
» Herbal medicine for diabetes
» Herbal treatment for diabetes type 2
» pre diabetic diet
» control of diabetes
» pump for diabetes
» risk factors of diabetes
» smoking and diabetes type 2
» diabetes type 2 risk factors
» insulin type 2
» a-1 diabetes
Dinner is the meal of the day when people like the most variety. You don’t want to eat

the same thing each night (pregnant or not). Here is the time to be creative. But a

cookbook or borrow one from the library to stock up on good ideas for dinner

combinations that fit in with your diabetic diet.

The dinner meal traditionally consists of a starch (whole grains, potatoes, and rice), a

vegetable, and a protein. You can be creative in how you combine these elements but

take the appropriate portions. Your dietician will give you guidelines on is considered a

proper portion of meat and other food groups. If you are having difficulty with this, you

may want to consider purchasing or borrowing a food scale until you learn how to judge a

portion size by sight.

Here is a selection of different dinner ideas that can be made:

* Cheese quiche, you can try making one without the crust to cut fat and calories

* Sloppy Joe sandwiches on whole wheat buns topped with shredded cheese (use a

lean or extra ground beef)

* Bell peppers stuffed with rice and ground beef and then baked in the oven

* Use a slow cooker to make a chili or beef stew full of veggies

There are numerous dinner combinations available by mixing up protein choices (fish,

steak, pork chops, and chicken) grains (brown rice, potatoes, pasta, and couscous), and

the various ways to cook vegetables (raw in a salad, steamed, grilled, or boiled).

If you are going out to eat for dinner, don’t be afraid to ask for your food done differently

than what the menu offers. Ask for substitutions and sauces on the side where

appropriate. Most restaurants are flexible and are willing to accommodate special dietary

requirements especially for pregnant women with diabetes.


Dinner Ideas for Women with Gestational Diabetes

» Diabetes 2 symptoms
» Symptoms for diabetes
» diabetes symptoms and treatment
» Pre diabetic symptoms
» Neuropathy in diabetes
» Best medicine for diabetes type 2
» Diabetes type 1 and type 2
» Diabetes recipes
» How to prevent diabetes
» Feet and diabetes
» Herbal medicine for diabetes
» Herbal treatment for diabetes type 2
» pre diabetic diet
» control of diabetes
» pump for diabetes
» risk factors of diabetes
» smoking and diabetes type 2
» diabetes type 2 risk factors
» insulin type 2
» a-1 diabetes
Depending on when you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during your pregnancy

(most likely between weeks 24 and 28) you are going to have many weeks of watching

what you eat ahead of you. If you find a meal that you like and works well with your

blood sugars you may be tempted to eat it again (and again and again).

You are going to reach a point where you do not want to even think about a piece of toast

with peanut butter again. And when you do, here are some ideas for a diabetic friendly

breakfast:

* One piece of whole wheat toast with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter and a

glass of milk

* A bowl of cereal and milk with almonds sprinkled on top

* One egg (cooked to your preference) a piece of toast and a glass of milk

* Natural peanut butter spread on half a banana

* Egg and cheese omelet with your choice of vegetables

Go for quality foods because as you can see, meal sizes are going to be small. By

combining your breakfast foods with a protein you will assist your body in processing the

sugar. The added benefit of the protein is be satiating for a longer period of time. If you

fill up on carbohydrates (which is very easy to do at breakfast) you are going to be

hungry sooner and have a higher blood sugar for your next reading.

As breakfast is going to set the tone for the rest of the day, don’t cheat. If you have a

high-sugar cereal for breakfast, your blood sugar will be elevated for the rest of the day.

After indulging you will have to make up for it during subsequent meals by having less to

even out your blood glucose levels.

Blood Sugar Levels during Labor

» Diabetes 2 symptoms
» Symptoms for diabetes
» diabetes symptoms and treatment
» Pre diabetic symptoms
» Neuropathy in diabetes
» Best medicine for diabetes type 2
» Diabetes type 1 and type 2
» Diabetes recipes
» How to prevent diabetes
» Feet and diabetes
» Herbal medicine for diabetes
» Herbal treatment for diabetes type 2
» pre diabetic diet
» control of diabetes
» pump for diabetes
» risk factors of diabetes
» smoking and diabetes type 2
» diabetes type 2 risk factors
» insulin type 2
» a-1 diabetes
Because of all the risks and complications associated with poor control of blood glucose levels during pregnancy it is best to keep them in check all the time. But if there is a time during your pregnancy where it is considered more important to have your blood glucose levels under control it is when you are in labor.

If you have a very high blood glucose level while you are in labor, your baby is going to produce enough insulin to compensate for the sugar in your system. But what happens when your baby is born is he or she is no longer exposed to your high blood sugar and has an excess of insulin in their system. This will cause the baby to be hypoglycemic and can be quite dangerous for the baby.

For this reason, your baby’s blood sugar levels will be tested a few times after the birth. The test is administered immediately after the birth and when the baby is a couple of hours old. The blood is taken from the baby’s heel and is tested in the same manner as when you test your own blood with your glucose monitor.

When you go into labor, do not take any more insulin even if it is time for your next injection. When you go to the hospital be sure to bring your insulin and glucose monitor with you and advise all medical staff of your condition. Your doctor will give you more specific instructions to follow about nutrition and your blood sugar. When you pre-register at the hospital, ensure that you write down on your paperwork that you have gestational diabetes and who your care providers are. The more information you can provide the better the care you will receive when you are admitting to the hospital.


Blood Sugar Levels during Labor

Blood Sugar Guidelines for Gestational Diabetes

» Diabetes 2 symptoms
» Symptoms for diabetes
» diabetes symptoms and treatment
» Pre diabetic symptoms
» Neuropathy in diabetes
» Best medicine for diabetes type 2
» Diabetes type 1 and type 2
» Diabetes recipes
» How to prevent diabetes
» Feet and diabetes
» Herbal medicine for diabetes
» Herbal treatment for diabetes type 2
» pre diabetic diet
» control of diabetes
» pump for diabetes
» risk factors of diabetes
» smoking and diabetes type 2
» diabetes type 2 risk factors
» insulin type 2
» a-1 diabetes
In order to diagnose you with gestational diabetes, your healthcare provider will order a

test from the lab. There are two levels of the test that can be taken – the one hour glucose

tolerance test and the three hour glucose tolerance test.

The one hour test involves taking a blood sample after you have fasted and then drinking

a beverage high in glucose and testing your blood again one hour later. With the three

hour version, you proceed the same except the drink has a higher concentration of sugar

and your blood is tested each hour for three hours instead of one. The purpose of these

tests is to see how your body reacts to and process the large amount of sugar in the

drinks.

The American Diabetes Association lists the following blood glucose levels that would

indicate gestational diabetes is present:

* Fasting 95 mg/dl or higher

* One hour 180 mg/dl or higher

* Two hours 155 mg/dl or higher

* Three hours 140 mg/dl or higher

If any two of the above readings come back in the ranges indicated you will be diagnosed

with gestational diabetes. Once you have been diagnosed, you doctor will provide you

with the blood glucose guidelines that should be maintained for the optimal health of you

and your baby. They are:

* First thing in the morning – below 95 mg/dl

* One hour after a meal – below 140 mg/dl

* Two hours after a meal – below 120 mg/dl

There will be occasions when your blood sugar reading is higher than the recommended

range. In that case, adjust your next meal. If you had planned on having a meal that was

higher in carbohydrates it should be changed so that there is more protein. Protein helps

to lower your blood sugar and carbohydrates convert to sugar raising your glucose levels.


Blood Sugar Guidelines for Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: How Exercise Can Help

» Diabetes 2 symptoms
» Symptoms for diabetes
» diabetes symptoms and treatment
» Pre diabetic symptoms
» Neuropathy in diabetes
» Best medicine for diabetes type 2
» Diabetes type 1 and type 2
» Diabetes recipes
» How to prevent diabetes
» Feet and diabetes
» Herbal medicine for diabetes
» Herbal treatment for diabetes type 2
» pre diabetic diet
» control of diabetes
» pump for diabetes
» risk factors of diabetes
» smoking and diabetes type 2
» diabetes type 2 risk factors
» insulin type 2
» a-1 diabetes
Some women are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes because of a syndrome that often goes undiagnosed: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, affects between six and ten percent of women who are of childbearing age. One of the symptoms of PCOS is often excess weight gain, with that weight carried around the abdomen. Reducing the risks of developing type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS involves, in part, improving insulin sensitivity.

If you have symptoms such as irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles, acne, excessive body or facial hair, you may have PCOS. PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance that can cause these types of symptoms. Your doctor will be able to identify the syndrome and direct you to appropriate treatment to control the condition and prevent future complications such as heart disease, infertility, endometrial cancer, and diabetes.

Women with PCOS should be sure to eat a healthy diet, and include regular exercise each week. Maintaining a healthy weight, and losing any extra pounds, will not only help to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes, it will also help to reduce the symptoms associated with PCOS.

There are some women that, even with increased exercise and a healthy diet, will not lose weight. Will these women still benefit? Studies have shown that exercising has healthy benefits, regardless of its effect on weight. Exercise affects how the body metabolizes carbohydrates (glucose), and improves insulin sensitivity, both of which help to prevent diabetes from developing. As our body becomes less sensitive to insulin, the pancreas increases its production of insulin to try to compensate. By exercising, and improving our body’s sensitivity to insulin, we keep the pancreas from working overtime.

Losing weight can be particularly important to women, not only for the health benefits, but also because of the effect on energy and self-esteem. Even if the exercise does not help you to lose weight in the short term, it will still have a benefit to your health. Before starting an exercise program, it is important to check with your doctor. They may have recommendations on starting a program, or cautions based on your personal medical history.

There are several ways to start an exercise program; the key is finding what works for you. You may choose to ride a stationary bike, swim, walk, or dance.

Walking is a great way to begin a habit of regular exercise. Women who enjoy a daily walk report feeling better, sleeping better, and experience less moods swings. Should you decide to start a walking program, make sure you have a quality pair of walking shoes. Your local running store can provide you with information on the style of shoe best for you. When you begin, do not worry about your speed, or how long you walk. Even a slow-paced walk will be good for your health, and as you build up stamina, you will be able to increase the length of your walk. Start out slow, studies show that even a slow-paced walk is good to your health. As you continue your program, you will probably find your stamina builds up and you can add more distance to your walk. An excellent goal to work towards is a thirty-minute walk every day.


Diabetes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: How Exercise Can Help

The Link between Obesity and Diabetes

» Diabetes 2 symptoms
» Symptoms for diabetes
» diabetes symptoms and treatment
» Pre diabetic symptoms
» Neuropathy in diabetes
» Best medicine for diabetes type 2
» Diabetes type 1 and type 2
» Diabetes recipes
» How to prevent diabetes
» Feet and diabetes
» Herbal medicine for diabetes
» Herbal treatment for diabetes type 2
» pre diabetic diet
» control of diabetes
» pump for diabetes
» risk factors of diabetes
» smoking and diabetes type 2
» diabetes type 2 risk factors
» insulin type 2
» a-1 diabetes
There are two kinds of diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The first type is also

known as juvenile diabetes and is usually diagnosed in childhood. It is the body’s cells

and the pancreas’ inability to produce enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes there is not

enough insulin produced for the body or the body is not making proper use of the insulin

that is available.

Many studies and doctors have linked an increasing number of people being diagnosed

with diabetes to obesity. When a person is obese or very over weight they are overtaxing

their pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) and this can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Being obese is a risk factor for diabetes but it does not mean you will develop the disease

if you are obese. By losing weight and leading a healthier lifestyle you can gain control

of this risk factor either by reducing it or eliminating it altogether.

There are other risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes including age and race but of

course there is no control over these factors. Studies have shown that over half of the

people diagnosed with diabetes are considered clinically obese. People who are obese

and work hard to lose weight can better manage their diabetes through diet or oral

medications instead of insulin injections. Incorporating a healthy eating plan and regular

physical activity will also help to manage the disease.

In addition to being at a higher risk for developing diabetes people who are obese are at

an increased risk for other life-threatening diseases too. Namely heart and cardiovascular

diseases, it is in an individual’s best interest to maintain a healthy weight for their body

type and health in order to reduce the risks to their health. Medical support is available

through your health care provider if needed.


The Link between Obesity and Diabetes