Happy Chinese New Year! Kung Hei Fat Choi!
So it's the year of the monkey this year, and the year I was born! I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes last year on Chinese New Years Day and it was a big shock and upset as Chinese New Year is like Christmas or Thanksgiving. It's all to do with family and eating!
I missed out on my family meal as I had no idea what I could eat or not, I had no idea on food pairing and the 8 golden rules back then.
Many will celebrate Chinese New Year this year (which falls on Monday 8th February) with gestational diabetes and since learning about how best to help control blood sugar levels with gestational diabetes through my own pregnancy, I've found my TOP recipes to share with you which you can try for Chinese New Year (or just for a change to your day to day meals).
If you can't tolerate takeaways then these are also some great alternatives.
*Please note you need to substitute the following foods to make the recipe tolerable for gestational diabetes:
- Corn flour for wholemeal flour
- Sugar for sweetener
- Jasmine rice for Basmati/brown wholegrain
Click on the titles below for links to the recipes...
Ching-He Huang's Chicken and Cashew Nut
This is a takeaway favourite!
Gok Wan's spicy stir-fried prawns with cashew nuts
This is a spicy alternative to the chicken and cashew nuts
Ching-He Huang's Beef and Oyster Sauce
My all time favourite and similar to the one my mum makes at Chinese New Year!
You can add some Chinese veg like Pak Choi or Choi Sum - if you can't get any then spinach and broccoli is always very tasty too.
Ching-He Huang's Spicy tofu and edamame beans
This is a great one for vegetarians for a main or can be a side veggie dish - it's very filling because of the tofu, and super tasty!
Gok Wan's Vietnamese-style leftover chicken salad
And this is a great to make and have as left over lunch! Use left over roast chicken from your Sunday roast.
Chinese fried cauliflower rice
And no Chinese meal can be complete without fried rice so here is one which is GD friendly and tasty!!
Happy Chinese New Year - Enjoy everyone!
Image credit to Dimas Sugih Cahaya at freepik.com
Guest post: written by Elizabeth Cheung-O'Regan for Gestational Diabetes UK, fellow GD Mumma and admin in our Facebook support group
Need more help?
For more information on following the diet we advocate, take a look at our 8 golden rules for eating. If you're still struggling for ideas and inspiration, looking for extra hints & tips, shopping lists and help with takeaways and eating out then take a look at our membership options which can be found here.