Type 1 Diabetes Diet
Type 1 diabetes diet definition and facts In Type 1 diabetes the pancreas can do longer release insulin. The high blood sugar that results can lead to complications such as kidney, nerve, and eye damage, and cardiovascular disease. Glycemic index and glycemic load are scientific terms used to measure he impact of a food on blood sugar. Foods with low glycemic load (index) raise blood sugar modestly, and thus are better choices for people with diabetes. Meal timing is very important for people with type 1 diabetes. Meals must match insulin doses. Eating meals with a low glycemic load (index) makes meal timing easier. Low glycemic load meals raise blood sugar slowly and steadily, leaving plenty of time for the body (or the injected insulin dose) to respond. Skipping a meal or eating late puts a person at risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Foods to eat for a type 1 diabetic diet include complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils. Foods to avoid for a type 1 diabetes diet include sodas (both diet and regular), simple carbohydrates - processed/refined sugars (white bread, pastries, chips, cookies, pastas), trans fats (anything with the word hydrogenated on the label), and high-fat animal products. Fats don't have much of a direct effect on blood sugar but they can be useful in slowing the absorption of carbohydrates. Protein provides steady energy with little effect on blood sugar. It keeps blood sugar stable, and can help with sugar cravings and feeling full after eating. Protein-packed foods to include on your menu are beans, legumes, eggs, seafood, dairy, peas, tofu, and lean meats and poultry. The Mediterranean diet plan is often recommended for people with type 1 diabetes because it is full of nut Continue reading >>
Pregnancy Diet Plan With Type 1 Diabetes
No, I’m not pregnant. Although, I desperately wish I was, that ship may have sailed. Regardless, I’ve been chatting with a lot of d-friends lately who are looking into the getting-pregnant-business, and they have been asking about pregnancy diet plans. Below is what my endo’s nutritionist gave me, and it worked like a charm every day that I followed it. And by “charm” I mean: relatively reliable and consistent good blood sugars within a range I could handle at that point in my pregnancy. Blood sugars are ALWAYS a moving target, but pregnancy makes that even more of a challenge. It felt like I was changing basal rates and insulin-to-carb ratios almost every week. As we all know, your body and diabetes may be different, but this is what I went by, and this worked for me. I am connecting this with Type 1 diabetes because that is what I know, however, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be applicable for a Type 2 or gestational diabetic as well – as always, you should consult with your doctor to discuss what is best for you as an individual. Everything in ( ) is examples for that meal – you may obviously swap it out for things you like & different stuff each day – these examples are using the Diabetic Exchange lists. I was a little cavalier and didn’t quite stick to it 100% of the time. When you are pregnant and crave a chicken quesadilla, you must have a chicken quesadilla, though it may not mesh exactly into the options for food at dinnertime. But to this diet’s credit – my HbA1c’s were fabulous throughout the 9-ish months of pregnancy – 5.2, 5.7, and 5.9 respectively. AND my daughter came out with no issues whatsoever (despite my fears throughout the entire 37 weeks that every high or low blood sugar was killing her. If I could do it all over again, Continue reading >>
Have Diabetes? 7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy
Dealing with disease and pregnancy Pregnancy is full of challenges—and even more so if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. So how do you handle a demanding disease and pregnancy? It may not be as hard as you think, says Cheryl Alkon, author of Balancing Pregnancy With Pre-Existing Diabetes. But you do need a plan. Before starting a family, check out these 7 tips that can help you ace diabetes management and have a healthy pregnancy. Get your blood sugar under control If you're thinking about getting pregnant, you need to kick bad habits (like smoking), lose weight (if you're overweight), and take prenatal vitamins. You can add one more item to the list if you have diabetes: Get your blood sugar under control. If your blood sugar levels are too high or too low, you may have a tough time getting pregnant. "In that case, your body may recognize that it's not a hospitable place for a pregnancy," says Alkon. Women with type 2 diabetes are particularly at risk for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can also make it difficult to get pregnant. Medications that stimulate ovulation, such as Clomid and Serophene, can help. Assemble a diabetes team Pregnant women with diabetes could have up to three times as many appointments as women at a lower risk of complications. Find a high-risk obstetrician to monitor your pregnancy and check whether your endocrinologist is willing to work with your ob-gyn. "You want doctors who really know what diabetes is all about," says Alkon. The constant monitoring, ultrasounds, and additional blood sugar tests add up. So "make sure you know the ins and outs of your insurance plan," she adds. Consider going off oral medications Most doctors suggest that pregnant women with type 2 diabetes discontinue oral medications, says Alkon. This is because Continue reading >>
Basic Meal Planning
Diabetes is a condition in which your body cannot properly use and store food for energy. The fuel that your body needs is called glucose, a form of sugar. Glucose comes from foods such as fruit, milk, some vegetables, starchy foods and sugar. To control your blood glucose (sugar), you will need to eat healthy foods, be active and you may need to take pills and/or insulin. In the following table, you will find some tips to help you until you see a registered dietitian. Tips for Healthy Eating, Diabetes Prevention and Management Tips Reasons Eat three meals per day at regular times and space meals no more than six hours apart. You may benefit from a healthy snack. Eating at regular times helps your body control blood glucose (sugar) levels. Limit sugars and sweets such as sugar, regular pop, desserts, candies, jam and honey. The more sugar you eat, the higher your blood glucose will be. Artificial sweeteners can be useful. Limit the amount of high-fat food you eat such as fried foods, chips and pastries. High-fat foods may cause you to gain weight. A healthy weight helps with blood glucose (sugar) control and is healthier for your heart. Eat more high-fibre foods such as whole grain breads and cereals, lentils, dried beans and peas, brown rice, vegetables and fruits. Foods high in fibre may help you feel full and may lower blood glucose (sugar) and cholesterol levels. If you are thirsty, drink water. Drinking regular pop and fruit juice will raise your blood glucose (sugar). Add physical activity to your life. Regular physical activity will improve your blood glucose (sugar) control. Plan for healthy eating Using a standard dinner plate, follow the Plate Method in the image below to control your portion sizes. Alcohol can affect blood glucose (sugar) levels and cause you Continue reading >>
Guide For A Healthy Pregnancy For Women With Diabetes From Premier Health
1/18/2018 | Comments | Prenatal Care , Diabetes , Labor and Delivery , Baby on the Way So you have diabetes and you want to get pregnant. The good news is that with some planning, preparation and commitment, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a thriving baby. The time to start planning is now! The most important thing you can do is keep your blood glucose (blood sugar) in the target range before, during, and after pregnancy. Target blood glucose level ranges before getting pregnant are: One hour after meals: less than 155 mg/dl Or two hours after meals: less than 140 mg/dl If your blood glucose levels are not in your target range, you need to bring your diabetes under control before getting pregnant, ideally three to six months in advance. To reduce the risk of complications and improve your babys health, its also important to establish a set of positive lifestyle habits. Maintain a fit body weight, eat an optimal diet and exercise. You should have a pre-pregnancy exam to make sure that you are doing these things properly. And if you smoke, stop. For women with diabetes, smoking can increase diabetes-related health problems such as eye disease, heart and kidney disease, nerve damage and poor blood circulation. Blood glucose levels that are too high during pregnancy pose many possible risks to the baby and mother. Since the babys organs the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs are completely formed by seven weeks after your last period (a time when you may have just realized you are pregnant), it's crucial to get your blood glucose levels under control before getting pregnant. Christine M. Kovac, MD, a Premier Health specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, warns of the risks. In moms who have pre-existing diabetes, especially if not well controlled, there is a higher risk o Continue reading >>
Pregnancy And Exercise With Type 1 Diabetes
So, you just screamed with excitement when you saw the 2 pink lines on your pregnancy test — or maybe you didn’t if you weren’t planning on it. Either way, you are most likely reading this because you’re pregnant with diabetes and you’re wondering how the heck you’re going to start or maintain an exercise routine during this journey, or you simply have an interest in diabetes and pregnancy. Being pregnant with diabetes can be really, really scary. Trust me, I’m in the thick of it right now in the third trimester, and although it’s awesome and exciting, the experience can be nerve-wracking at the same time. We all know that exercise is a crucial part of our diabetes management, and during pregnancy, I’ve found it especially helpful to maintain what I’ve already been doing with just a few modifications. Below are a few of the things I kept in my exercise routine and, of course, reviewed with my healthcare team (both OB and endo) to make sure the baby and I were on target. I can’t recommend simply walking enough. Even if you can only squeeze in a 15-minute walk at lunch or after a meal, I’ve found it extremely helpful to avoid the post-meal spikes (which the ADA recommends keeping below 130 mg/dl during pregnancy). I’ve been doing CrossFit for a few years now, and I really enjoy the heavy lifting/cardio combo because the adrenaline from the weights plus the cardio reduces the need for major reductions or increases in insulin (at least for me). I’m certainly not lifting 200 pounds anymore, but most weight-bearing activities are safe and encouraged by physicians during pregnancy if you were already doing them prior to getting pregnant. Plan, plan and plan! If you know you’re going to a kickboxing class, or spinning, or even just for a walk, plan Continue reading >>
Pregnancy And Type 1 Diabetes
When you are pregnant, your ideal scenario is to not gain too much weight, pass each milestone without worry, and have a safe, fast delivery that results in a healthy baby. When you have Type 1 diabetes, however, the ideal pregnancy may seem unattainable. Lisa Pink, a new mother, was able to manage her pregnancy along with her diabetes to have a healthy baby girl. She summed up her experience: “It’s a lot of work. However, it’s also worth it when you hold your healthy, perfect baby!” Before conception Lisa learned she had Type 1 diabetes when she was 25 years old. She didn’t think about pregnancy and starting a family until she reached her mid-30s. Lisa didn’t know any mothers with Type 1 diabetes, but two of her friends knew of women who had managed their diabetes throughout successful pregnancies. Encouraged, Lisa went to her doctor a year before she and her husband began trying to become pregnant, which is highly recommended. A woman with Type 1 diabetes should attain healthy blood glucose levels before conception. This is important for the baby’s health during pregnancy but also before conception. The National Institutes of Health recommends that a woman with Type 1 diabetes have blood glucose levels in the target range of 80 to 110 mg/dl before eating and 100 to 155 mg/dl one to two hours after eating for three to six months before becoming pregnant. During pregnancy, the recommended target blood glucose range is 60 to 99 mg/dl before eating and 100 to 129 mg/dl one to two hours after eating. Safe sugar Meeting these target ranges will help decrease the chance of too much sugar being passed to your baby. Too much sugar may cause a fetus to grow too quickly or possibly harm the early development of organs. Having a large baby was one of Lisa’s concer Continue reading >>
Ten Dietitian Tips For Pregnancy In Type 1 Diabetes
Guest Post, Sally Marchini, Dietitian I’ve been asked to write this blog as a dietitian. It’s a little challenging mostly because each of us has different requirements and should set personalised targets, so these tips are for a general guide only. I recommend that you should check with your own diabetes health professionals before changing any current plan. Hopefully what you learn in this blog will help you to be the leader of your d-team of health professionals. Keeping track of any questions you have to ask them will be a great advantage to you and your baby. Having a baby as a person with type 1 diabetes can be a frustrating and scary experience, but it doesn’t need to be if we know how to help our healthcare team to provide us the best support along the way. Planning As with most aspects of diabetes, planning ahead is essential for best results. It’s not always possible to plan a pregnancy, but if you have the opportunity to do so then your chances of birth anomalies will be greatly reduced. Ideally planning will begin at least 6 -12 months in advance. During this time it’s important to ensure that you: are taking precautions to avoid pregnancy during this timeframe have started on a folic acid supplement of 5mg/day have asked your doctor about the need for iodine supplementation talk to you doctor about stopping statins and all other diabetes meds except insulin stop smoking minimise alcoholic consumption improve your physical fitness HbA1c target Your main diabetes target will be to aim for an HbA1c of around 6% to minimise risk of anomalies in your pregnancy. But you don’t want to get there too quickly as it may affect your own eyesight (retinopathy). This is one area where medical guidance is particularly important. Once you get there, it’s impor Continue reading >>
Diet And Exercise With Type 1/2 Diabetes
While keeping your blood glucose levels within safe limits is a hugely important part of managing your diabetes, the guidance to staying healthy in pregnancy is similar to that for staying healthy at any other time of life with diabetes. Your diet in pregnancy with type 1 or 2 diabetes When you are pregnant you may find that you need to make changes to your diet to help curb spikes and dips in your blood glucose levels. Try to aim for a varied diet that includes a combination of: carbohydrates such as breads, rice, pasta, grains and potatoes. Choose wholegrain varieties where possible fruit and vegetables pulses, such as baked beans, butter beans or lentils dairy products such as milk, hard cheese and yogurt lean meats and fish. The amount of carbohydrates you eat has the biggest impact on your blood glucose levels after eating. Ask to be referred to a dietitian if you have not seen one already. Pregnancy is not a time to be on a calorie controlled diet so speaking to a dietitian will help you to make small changes to your diet that are safe for you and your baby. 'I did have cravings while I was pregnant – I did really want some chocolate and so I would buy myself just really dark chocolate so I could have just something.' Maria, mum of one No need to 'eat for two' It is all too easy to over-eat during pregnancy, but the phrase ‘eating for two’ is a myth. In fact, your baby will grow well for the first two trimesters of pregnancy without you eating any extra calories at all. During the last trimester of your pregnancy you may need up to 200 extra calories per day – the equivalent of a small snack. Find general guidance on safe exercising in pregnancy here. Supplements You must take 5mg of folic acid, which you should receive on prescription, from when you start Continue reading >>
Meal Planning For Pregnant Women With Diabetes
Your meal plan for diabetes needs to be modified when you are pregnant. The total calories you need are based on your prepregnancy weight, age, activity level, and whether you are carrying more than one baby. Dieting to lose weight during pregnancy is not recommended, because you may not receive enough nourishment for you and your baby, and it may increase your risk for premature delivery. Follow these guidelines for your meal plan during pregnancy. Carbohydrate Inadequate carbohydrate intake can result in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) for women taking insulin and in ketone production for women who have gestational diabetes. Excessive carbohydrate intake can result in elevated blood sugar levels. Make sure your meal plan contains: Complex carbohydrate, especially foods high in fiber, such as oatmeal, brown rice, bran cereal, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, and beans. Fresh fruits. Milk. Fresh or frozen vegetables. Limit these carbohydrate foods in your diet: Refined sugar and foods with a high content of refined sugars (sweets) Refined starches, such as highly processed breakfast cereals, instant potatoes, instant rice, or instant noodles Fruit juice Protein If your kidney function is impaired, your protein allowance may be lowered. Fat Monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fats, rather than saturated fats, should continue to be the primary source of fat in your diet. Fiber Get enough fiber each day. Fiber can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and relieve constipation, which is common during pregnancy. Most people get far more sodium than they need. Talk to your doctor about how much sodium you should eat. Vitamins and minerals Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid and iron to meet your body's increased need for these micronutrients. Folic acid is needed for th Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes Pregnancy Diet
Women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) are accustomed to meal planning to control blood sugar levels. But the changing nutritional and insulin needs that accompany pregnancy require exceptional dietary consideration and planning. For this reason, the American Diabetes Association recommends an individualized meal plan for pregnant woman with diabetes. Careful diet planning along with blood sugar monitoring and insulin adjustments help keep blood sugar levels in a safe range to promote the health of the mom and baby. Video of the Day Every pregnant woman with T1DM is unique. Therefore, the American Diabetes Association doesn't recommend a standard diet with specific foods or amounts to eat and avoid. Rather, the goal is to craft an individualized, well-balanced diet that provides the calories and nutrients needed for the baby’s growth and mom’s health while keeping blood sugar levels stable. Each woman's pregnancy diet is different, depending on factors such as her weight, activity level, food preferences and where she is in her pregnancy. Consuming 3 nutritious meals plus 2 to 4 snacks at around the same time each day helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Eating a variety of high-quality foods that are rich in multiple nutrients helps ensure healthy levels of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Matching carbohydrate intake to insulin therapy is more complex during pregnancy because insulin sensitivity and needs change. Low blood sugar is most likely during the first trimester, and high levels are common during the second and third trimesters as insulin resistance builds. As both highs and lows are risky for the mom and baby, the carbohydrate content of meals and snacks is a key consideration in T1DM meal planning and insulin matching -- and providi Continue reading >>
- Improved pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes but substantial clinic-to-clinic variations: a prospective nationwide study
- The effect of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-glycemic index diet on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Diet Soda & Diabetes: Is Diet Soda Safe for Diabetes?
Preparing For Pregnancy When You Have Diabetes
Pregnancy and diabetes doesn't have to be a risky combination. By preparing for pregnancy, you can boost the odds of delivering a healthy baby. Here's how. If you have diabetes — either type 1 or type 2 — and you're thinking about having a baby, you might be concerned about the risks. To put your mind at ease, start preparing. Controlling your blood sugar level and making healthy lifestyle choices before pregnancy can help you give your baby the healthiest start. Start with a checkup The first step in preparing for pregnancy is to talk to your health care provider. He or she might recommend: Changing medications. If you take oral diabetes medication, you might need to switch to a medication that is safer for use in pregnancy or make other changes to your diabetes treatment plan before you conceive. If you also have high blood pressure (hypertension), your blood pressure medications will need to be reviewed. Certain medications to treat high blood pressure — aren't recommended during pregnancy. Treatment for certain conditions. If you have high blood pressure or signs of heart, eye, nerve or kidney disease — or other diabetes complications that could be aggravated by pregnancy — preparing for pregnancy might include treatment for the condition before conception. Consulting with specialists. Your health care provider might suggest scheduling preconception appointments with an obstetrician, a diabetes educator, a registered dietitian or other specialists. Focus on blood sugar control Controlling your blood sugar level is the best way to prevent diabetes complications. When you're preparing for pregnancy, blood sugar control is more important than ever. Your health care provider might want you to reach a specific hemoglobin A1C level — a reflection of your blood Continue reading >>
Top 10 Foods For Diabetes And Pregnancy
Guest post by Regina M. Shirley RD, LDN of Serving Up Diabetes There are a lot of food lists out there: Top 10 Superfoods for Health, Top 10 Foods to fight Cancer, and many more. As someone with diabetes, there are also a lot of lists we can abide by: the low glycemic index list of foods, foods under 100 calories, low-carb foods, etc. Go ask any dietitian, and we will tell you to eat a balanced diet that contains a food item from each food group at most every meal, with healthy snacks in between. This is a general guideline, and most Americans don’t have enough hours in the day to incorporate all the right food groups into their daily eating plan. I used to be one of those, call me a bit of a hypocrite, but as much as I tell people that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I was just a coffee girl in the morning, maybe with an English muffin thrown in there or a healthy nut bar. While planning for my pregnancy, I decided I needed to revamp my diet a bit to make sure that I would give my baby the best chance at developing strong organs in the first trimester. I did a lot of reading, and implemented what I already knew as well, and created my own “Top 10” list for baby and me. Here is a list of foods that I have incorporated in my diet that pack the most vitamins and nutrients (folic acid, iron and calcium are of most importance), and are even low on the glycemic index list (helpful for the blood sugars) so are also idea for people with diabetes in general. Eggs – 1-2 eggs per day in the form of hard boiled, scrambled, or in an egg and cheese whole-grain sandwich that I made myself. I buy the cage-free farm fresh eggs from my local farm. Many people think that whole eggs are bad for you because of the cholesterol in the yolk, and that egg whites are al Continue reading >>
Having A Healthy Pregnancy With Type 1 Diabetes: Advice From New Moms
I never questioned whether or not I wanted to be a mom. I was a little girl who catalogued every personality trait of her twelve Cabbage Patch Kids (four of which happened to have type 1 diabetes) and who planned out exactly how many kids she would have someday and what their names would be and what color eyes they would have: one brown-eyed child, one blue. When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10, one of my pediatric endocrinologist’s first reassurances to my parents was that I’d be able to have healthy pregnancies someday. I didn’t even know it was something I should have been worried about. And, after that reassurance, I really never worried about what a pregnancy with type 1 diabetes would entail until I got there. I was 25 years old when I saw my first A1c under 8.5%. By the time I was married at age 28, my A1c was the lowest it had ever been – 7%. I was at a crossroad where I was emotionally ready to start a family but had to honestly assess where my diabetes management was. My healthcare team wanted my A1c at or below 6.0% before trying to conceive. This target seemed positively impossible for someone with my A1c history. It was 2008. I turned to the Internet and discovered the marvel that is the Diabetes Online Community. On TuDiabetes.org in their Oh! Baby!!! group, I found women just like me. Just. Like. Me. They were close to my age, wanted to start families, and some of them were a step ahead or only a step behind where I was in the process. I found a wealth of information and support. Six months later, with an A1c of 6.1% and so many helpful words of wisdom put into practice, I began trying to conceive my daughter. In the six years I have been a part of the Diabetes Online Community, I have seen so many would-be mommies realize their dre Continue reading >>
- Advice to walk after meals is more effective for lowering postprandial glycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus than advice that does not specify timing: a randomised crossover study
- Why Plus-Size Moms Need To Look Out For Gestational Diabetes
- Why having more friends reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes
Pregnancy With Type 1 Diabetes: Low-carb Diets…yes Or No?
I’m a big fan of eating low-carb as a person with type 1 diabetes. The benefits are obvious immediately and I simply feel more energetic, more stable (because of more easily managed blood sugars), and full of healthy choices (because, in my opinion, a proper low-carb diet should incorporate a heck-load of vegetables). But during pregnancy…no, I personally don’t think a low-carb diet makes sense. Again, I want to state: this is my personal opinion! Not science or fact or me telling you how you ought to live your life. Allow me to clarify first: what counts as a low-carb diet? Technically a low-carb diet is anything below 50 grams of carbohydrate. A ketogenic diet is a diet so low in carbs that your body is producing ketones for fuel, and usually requires you to eat fewer than 20 grams of carbs per day. Both of which I think isn’t ideal when there’s a growing baby bump relying on your for a variety of delicious nutrition. What I mean when I’m talking about ketones: I’m not talking about ketones produced from lack of insulin and high blood sugars, such as DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). I’m talking about nutritional ketosis which is not life-threatening, even to a diabetic. Read more about Nutritional Ketosis vs. DKA here. Has it been studied? Before my first pregnancy, the only research I could find on women who ate low-carb diets during their pregnancy and its impact on the fetus was that ketogenic diets seemed to result in smaller brains in the babies. I’ve looked and looked for that study while writing this blog, and I can’t find it. (I found it originally on PubMed.org.) Overall, it simply hasn’t been studied properly or thoroughly or perhaps even more than once. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad idea, but it’s good to know that it si Continue reading >>
