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carbohydrates

Confused about carbs

5th June 20165th September 2021 Jo Paterson 3606 Viewscarb counting, carb hacks, carbohydrates, carbs, complex carbs, fructose, GI, Glycaemic Index, lactose, simple carbs, starch, sugar

Are you confused about carbs? Carbs can confuse many people. To be able to follow a good diet for gestational

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You may have heard the phrase ‘𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙜’ but what does that mean and why does it matter?
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Here I’ll explain what double-carbing means, share some common examples of double-carbing and most importantly the reason why it can be problematic
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I do not advocate or support carb counting as a way to manage gestational diabetes diet. So even though you could have a mixture of different foods on a plate, totalling a recommended number of carbs, this is NOT the easiest way of understanding your tolerances & managing blood glucose levels
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This is because there will be some carbs that YOU tolerate better than others. This is different from one person to another, can be different for you in each pregnancy and can change during your pregnancy
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eg. You may find that you tolerate rice fine and can eat a good-sized portion without it impacting blood glucose levels too much, whereas the smallest amount of potato makes your blood glucose levels rocket, or vice versa
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This means that when adding more than one high-carb food to the plate or ‘double carbing’, it can be very tricky to see which carbs you are tolerating well and could enjoy more of, and which ones are spiking levels too high and should be reduced or swapped for alternatives
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Therefore, I advise sticking to one main carb per meal or snack and pairing with plenty of protein & fats
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If you find 2 types of carbs that you tolerate well, then feel free to enjoy them (well-paired with protein & fat for optimal blood glucose levels) but be mindful that tolerance can change as the pregnancy progresses
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Please note: I do not advocate/support cutting out carbs completely, or following a keto diet in pregnancy. If it gets to the point where blood glucose levels are spiking high with all carbs then this should be discussed with your diabetes team to start medication or increase doses to help support you. Remember it is not your fault if you need a bit of extra help!
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#DoubleCarbing #GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GDFoodPairing #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesUK #CarbCounting #StopCountingCarbs #GestationalDiabetesDiet #GDDiet #8GoldenRules #NeverEatANakedCarb
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🍕🥘🍗🍟🍔🍜 ⠀ Many ladies will stil

🍕🥘🍗🍟🍔🍜
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Many ladies will still have a treat of a takeaway with gestational diabetes and why not? As long as it’s not everyday then it’s one treat that you can adapt and still enjoy WITHOUT causing high blood sugar levels.
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Making the right choices with the type of takeaway you choose and sticking to my 8 golden rules will help you make better choices when it comes to having a night off cooking and getting a treat but it’s all about being careful with your choices.
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Many Indian or Chinese dishes contain added sugar. There’s the obvious ones to avoid such as sweet & sour, plum, sweet chilli & BBQ sauce etc. and be very careful with a takeaway carb overload!
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Be wary of dishes you perhaps didn’t expect having added sugar, like korma and butter chicken, crispy seaweed.
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If in doubt then ask, many restaurants & takeaways will happily make the dishes without the added sugar in them for you, but if you don’t ask you don’t get!
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The reason I’m sharing this post is that depending on what your diabetes team advises, you may try some takeaways and be led to believe that they give you even better results than your healthy GD food cooked from scratch⁉️
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But actually, it all comes down to WHEN you are advised to test your blood sugar levels & the TARGETS used.
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For many meals, a one hour post meal test will give a good indication as to whether you are tolerating a dish or not, however there’s a big exception to this and that’s food exactly like this!
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𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 and so that lovely low reading you got at one hour may be BEFORE your levels spike!
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This is due to the high fat content of these types of meals.
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With this in mind it is worth testing your blood sugars at 1hr AND 2hrs post meal.
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If you don’t have a target for these times then the gold standard target to use are the NICE guidelines:
• <7.8 after 1 hr
• <6.4 after 2 hrs

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#GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetes #GD #Takeaway #FastFood #GestationalDiabetesDiet #8GoldenRules #GDFoodPairing #DiabetesInPregnancy #GestationalDiabetesSucks #Diabetes #TestingBloodSugar

If you could share one thing, one top tip, one pie

If you could share one thing, one top tip, one piece of handy info, one piece of motivation or support, what would it be?

#WomenSupportingWomen #StrongWomen #GestationalDiabetes #PregnancyDiabetes #DiabetesInPregnancy #PregnantDiabetic #GestationalDiabetesSupport #GestationalDiabetesMotivation #PositiveThoughts #PositiveThinking #PostivePregnancy #PositiveMindset #PositiveBirth #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetesUK #PositiveParenting #Diabetes #Type2Pregnancy

How many of you thought, or think this? ⠀ I woul

How many of you thought, or think this?
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I would like you to read, SHARE and shout this from the rooftops!
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Eating loads of sweets, sugary food or junk is NOT what ‘causes’ GD and an even bigger surprise may be to hear that ANY pregnant woman can get it!
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We should not feel bad, guilty, or to blame. It should not be a condition that we should feel embarrassed about, or hide from
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It is a condition which is brought on due to pregnancy hormones
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Some women are at a higher risk of developing GD, but I need to make it clear that ANY PREGNANT WOMAN can get it, no matter your size, shape, race, or state of health
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During pregnancy, the body produces a number of hormones, such as oestrogen, progesterone and human placental lactogen (HPL). These hormones make the body insulin resistant, which means the cells respond less well to insulin and the level of glucose in the blood remains high
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To cope with the increased amount of glucose in the blood, the body needs to produce more insulin. However, some women either cannot produce enough insulin in pregnancy to transport the glucose into the cells, or their body cells are more resistant to insulin
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When this happens, blood glucose levels remain too high. This is known as gestational diabetes mellitus. Gestational diabetes can also be defined as ‘carbohydrate intolerance’
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If you are one of the ones that is feeling any guilt, shame, embarrassment over GD diagnosis then I urge you to STOP ✋🏽 right now
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Take some time to read through the info and support I offer and know that alongside an amazing team of healthcare professionals, we have your back and will help you every step of the way!
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Read more about GD diagnosis @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/diagnosing-gestational-diabetes/
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#GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetes #GD #GDM #DiabetesInPregnancy #PregnancyDiabetes #GDProblems #GestationalDiabetesSucks #DiagnosedWithGestationalDiabetes #GlucoseToleranceTest #Glucola #GlucoseTest #PregnancyTests #YouHaveNotFailed #Midwife #Midwives #DSN #DiabetesMidwife #DMW #DiabeticNurse #DiabeticSpecialistNurse #Diabetes #diabetesawareness #GDOnePrickATATime

Non-alcoholic drinks 🍺🍹🍷🍸 ⠀ A word o

Non-alcoholic drinks 🍺🍹🍷🍸
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A word of warning!⚠️ the majority of non-alcoholic drinks contain high amounts of carbs (sugar!)

The non-alcoholic wines have approx. 1-2tsp of liquid sugar per 100ml (measure out 100ml & I think you’ll be shocked how little it is)
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A popular choice are Kopparberg non-alcoholic ciders but these fruity ciders contain whopping amounts of carbs which in liquid form will spike blood glucose levels through the roof within minutes!!
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🍒🍎the smaller 330ml mixed fruit Kopparberg contains the equivalent of just over 7.5 tsp of sugar
🍓🍐the larger strawberry & lime and pear 500ml Kopparberg ciders which contain just over 12.5 tsp & 12.75 tsp of sugar per bottle!
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Imagine putting that amount of sugar in a cup of tea or coffee 🤢
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This is the same case for the majority of low or no alcohol wines 🍷 and mocktails 🍹The fruit and added sugars are just far too high in carbs to be safely drunk during diabetic pregnancy so it’s best to steer clear ⚠️
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🍺Lower carb non-alcoholic beers can be found such as Brewdog Nanny State Alcohol Free Hoppy Ale which has just under 1 tsp of sugar per 330ml or Becks Blue which contains 2 tsp of sugar per 275ml bottle
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If you want a carb free non-alcoholic treat then try out the Seedlip drinks which are lovely 🍸
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#AlcoholFree #AlcoholFreeDrinks #NonAlcoholic
#GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #GestationalDiabetes #pregnancy #pregnant #PregnancyDiabetes #HighRiskPregnancy #MumToBe #PregnantMummy #Preggo #Preggers #MamaToBe #InstaPregnancy #BabyOnBoard #PregnantLife #BellyBump #FutureMama #Mother #Mummy #Mama #MummyToBe #BabyOnTheWay #Bump #DiabeticPregnancy #Mom #Mammy #Birth

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas ❤️ I

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas ❤️

I’ve yet to meet a person out there who is perfect, I know I’m certainly not and we are all only human!
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It’s extremely hard and very rare to be 100% perfect, 100% of the time when it comes to sticking to a strict or restrictive diet.
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Many ladies feel guilty and blame themselves for failing. If you feel cracking or falling off the wagon has made you fail, then turn these feelings into something positive. Turn it into a teaching moment. Don’t sit there beating yourself up, learn from it, draw a line under it & MOVE ON!
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When it comes to special occasions full of foods that might cause high blood glucose levels like Christmas, it’s important to remember that ONE high reading does NOT cause major complications with gestational diabetes.
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However, once you’ve had one treat it can be a slippery road downhill. It can easily go from having the odd treat, to treats throughout the day etc. Add in the complication of GD being a progressive condition which worsens as the pregnancy goes on and you could be looking at many over target readings & rollercoaster blood sugar levels which is the thing we are desperately trying to avoid.
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Nobody is saying don’t have a treat, as there’s LOADS of things you CAN have, but choosing the right things, pairing them properly and avoiding over indulging all need to be things to be taken into consideration in order to achieve the best possible outcomes with GD.
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If you feel you’ve overindulged and had high blood sugars, accept it and move on. Life is too short to dwell on what can’t be changed. Live in the now. Don’t start again tomorrow, start again NOW!… Make your next decision the right one. YOU CAN DO IT! Jump back on that wagon! This isn’t a diet for slimming where the consequences just impact you. This is a way of eating to help support your growing baby. You’re doing it for them, to give them the best possible chance to normalise their own insulin production.
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For more help & support take a look at this post: www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/falling-off-the-wagon/

Sugar-free Gingerbread cookies! Go on, make some

Sugar-free Gingerbread cookies!

Go on, make some today so you can leave Santa a sugar-free cookie tonight!

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/gingerbread-cookies/

#sugarfreegingerbread #lowcarbgingerbread #sugarfreeicing
#GDUKMums
#gestationaldiabetes #gestationaldiabetesdiet #gd #gdm #glutenfreegingerbread
#gdfoodpairing #8goldenrules #josgdbakes #JosGdRecipes

Do you have enough supplies to last over the Chris

Do you have enough supplies to last over the Christmas period?

If you've renewed a prescription have you checked you've been given the CORRECT items? We see too many posts where ladies have been given the wrong test strips or insulin refill cartridges instead of replacement insulin pens.

Don't get caught out over the festive period. Go check now.

No matter what you choose to or not to eat over Christmas make sure you're taking meds if you need them and monitoring blood sugar levels. Not monitoring is like sticking your head in the sand. Just because you don't see what's happening doesn't mean everything is ok

#doyouhaveenough #diabeticchristmas #gestationaldiabetes #insulin #metformin #glibenclamide #teststrips #lancets #meds #repeatprescription #haveyougotyourmeds #sugarfreechristmas #notjustbigbabies #GDUKMums #TeamGDUK #NHS

Tag a person who needs to read this! I’m postin

Tag a person who needs to read this!

I’m posting this for all the pregnant mamas with diabetes out there that have had enough of the Steve they know!!

9 months, that’s it… we have 9 months and then we get to see the result of those blood glucose levels (and most of us are diagnosed at the end of the pregnancy meaning we have mere WEEKS to get this under control). If we don’t get this under control, it’s not us that suffers the consequences, it’s our baby/babies

Please don’t tell me I’m taking this diagnosis too seriously or stressing too much

Please don’t tell me to just have the day off

Please don’t tell me just have a little bit and it won’t hurt

Please don’t tell me to eat what I want because the Metformin or insulin will fix it

Please don’t tell me to follow the diet you’ve been told to follow for your diabetes

Please stop comparing my diabetes with yours, because unless you are pregnant right now, then it is a whole different ball game

This is my body and my baby and I’m just wanting to do the best I can. Please support me and help me do my best!

For more help & support to share with family & friends see www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/gestational-diabetes-and-the-family/

#TeamGDUK #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesUKMums #Type2Pregnancy #PregnantDiabetic #PregnancyDiabetes #PregnantAndDiabetic #DiabeticAndPregnant #GestationalDiabetesSupport #GestationalDiabetesSucks

Want to have some fun with the food at Christmas,

Want to have some fun with the food at Christmas, then try out this wee cheeky cheese snowman 🧀⛄️

You need:-
⛄️ 1 tub of full fat cream cheese
⛄️finely grated white cheddar
⛄️a tiny piece of carrot
⛄️9 black peppercorns
⛄️2 pretzel sticks or twiglets

1) Finely grate plenty of cheese
2) Take a tablespoon and scoop 2/3 of the cream cheese out and place into the grated cheddar
3) THIS IS THE MESSY BIT! Roll the cream cheese in the grated cheddar to form a ball for the snowman’s body, then place on a plate
4) Repeat with the remaining cream cheese to create the snowman’s head
5) cut out a tiny triangle of carrot for the nose
6) push whole black peppercorns into the snowman to create eyes, a mouth and buttons
7) push the pretzel sticks or twiglets into the body for stick arms

Place your cheese snowman back into the fridge until ready for serving. Serve him with vegetable/salad sticks, oatcakes, wholegrain crackers & a few pretzels/twiglets

You can of course flavour your cheese snowman to your liking, however we like him best plain 😉

Merry Christmas from myself and Finlay (my middle GD ‘baby’) ⛄️🧀⛄️👌🏻⛄️🧀⛄️

#JosGDrecipes
#GestationalDiabetes
#GDUKMums
#TeamGDUK
#LowCarbChristmas
#CheeseSnowman
#LowCarbKids
#SugarFreeKids
#SugarFreeChristmas
#KetoChristmas
#FamilyChristmas
#ChristmasFun

Mince pies for many are a huge part of Christmas c

Mince pies for many are a huge part of Christmas celebrations, but a sweet white flour pastry, filled with high amounts of sugar and an abundance of high sugar dried fruits makes mince pies no better than a sugar laden pack of sweets as far as blood glucose levels are concerned 👎🏻

It’s for this reason that for years I’ve suggested that it’s best to avoid mince pies altogether. But after lots of playing around I came up with a recipe which is much lower in carbs, without any added sugars!

These mince pies are not as low carb as my usual recipes, but well paired with a good helping of cream, I believe these are a fab lower carb alternative!

The mincemeat mixture can be made ahead of time and frozen if you wish, but for the filo pastry cases should be made fresh as they are too delicate to make in advance

Get your bake on and enjoy these #LowCarbMincePies @ gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/mince-pies/

#JosGDRecipes #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesUK #GestationalDiabetesChristmas #LowcarbChristmas #DiabeticChristmas #NoAddedSugarMincePies

Mock Mulled Wine 🍷 🍇 🫐 Non-alcoholic no

Mock Mulled Wine 🍷 🍇 🫐

Non-alcoholic no added sugar and low-carb

Which do you prefer?
🍷 Vimto Winter Warmer
OR
🍷 Ribena Winter Spice

This is the perfect wintery drink for pregnant mamas over Christmas. If you like mulled wine then get yourself a bottle of no added sugar @vimto Winter Warmer or @ribenauk Winter Spice, serve it hot with slices of orange, cloves, nutmeg & cinnamon sticks for an extra special Christmas touch 👌🏻

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/mock-mulled-wine/

#GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesUK #MockMulledWine #NonAlcoholicMulledWine #Vimto #VimtoWinterWarmer #Ribena #RibenaWinterSpice

Cheeeeeeese-cake! I’ve got you covered with my l

Cheeeeeeese-cake! I’ve got you covered with my low-carb, no-added sugar cheesecake recipes. These recipes are self-paired meaning as long as follow the recipe using the ingredients suggested you can enjoy these cheesecakes without worrying about spiking blood glucose levels.

I’m sure you’ll find one you like with 9 different recipes to choose from many of which can be made gluten-free and 2 are vegan 🌱

So what are you waiting for. Get some 🧀 🍰 in ya belly this Christmas! #JosGDrecipes

#Cheesecake #LowCarbCheesecake #PeterKayCheesecake #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesUK #SugarFreeCheesecake #VeganCheesecake #GlutenFreeCheesecake #DiabeticVegan #DiabeticChristmas

Fancy a sweet fresh breakfast with some festive fl

Fancy a sweet fresh breakfast with some festive flavours? How about trying out my Festive Spiced Wholemeal Pancakes with sugar-free Clementine Syrup & Pistachios! 🍊 Low-carb, fresh, delicious and a breakfast that isn’t eggs!!! These can even be made vegan too 👌🏻

Check out the FREE recipe @ www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/pancakes-with-clementine/

#JosGDRecipes #LowCarbPancakes #ChristmasPancakes #SugarFreePancakes #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #DiabeticPregnancy #VeganDiabetic #ClementinePancakes #ClementineAndPistachio #GestationalDiabetesUK

Do you love Yorkshire Puddings? Normal white flour

Do you love Yorkshire Puddings? Normal white flour Yorkshire’s can add upto 20g carbs to your plate and will contribute to raising blood glucose levels, especially alongside all the other carbs!

Instead, try these ground arrowroot Yorkshire’s which have just 4g carbs and are so light, crisp and yummy!

You can even make these in advance, freeze them once cooled, then just reheat for 2-5 mins like an Aunt Bessie’s frozen Yorkshire!

So get ahead for Christmas dinner, grab yourself some ground arrowroot, eggs & double cream and have yourself a merry little Christmas 😉

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/yorkshire-pudding/

#LowCarbYorkshires #LowCarbYorkshirePuddings #KetoYorkshirePudding #ArrowrootYorkshirePuddings #GroundArrowrootYorkshires #LowCarbChristmas #KetoChristmas #DiabeticChristmas #JosGDRecipes #GDUKMums #GestationalDiabetes #GestationalDiabetesChristmas

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