Eating for Two?

Did you know that during pregnancy you do not need to eat necessarily for 2?

First trimester you only need 10 extra calories in your diet.

Second trimester it is recommended to have 350 extra calories

Third trimester you only need an additional 450 calories to you diet then before you were pregnant!

Many times women may feel they need to eat a lot to support the babies growth but really only an additional peanut butter and jelly sandwich, piece of fruit and yogurt is all that is needed during your 3rd trimester.

A balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is key during pregnancy. Vitamins and Minerals in your food are really helping your baby grow and develop healthy.

Diabetes and Pizza

This week I received the following question from http://foodpicker.org

Friday nights my family & I have dinner at our favorite pizza restaurant.  Now that I've been diagnosed with diabetes I don't know what to order.  Could you help me with what (if anything) I can order? 

There are definitely items you can find to eat at the pizza restaurant. Don't let diabetes stop you from your friday family nights. It's just going to take small adjustments. Because pizza is a carbohydrate food then it will require some attention regarding your diabetes.

Typically for a meal it is good to aim for about 45-60g Carbohydrates (3-4 servings of Grains)

If the pizza restaurant is a chain company then you may be able to find the amount of carbohydrates per slice on their website or by calling their corporate office. 

If not, MyPyramid suggests that

• 1/8 medium thick crust pizza = 30g Carbs
• 1/8 medium thin crust pizza = 15g Carbs
  

This allows you to have about 3-4 slices of thin crusts or 2 slices of thick crust. Keep in mind the amount of calories pizza can provide when toppings are added on. You can reduce calories and fat by asking for no cheese on the pizza. I'm lactose intolerant and always ask for no cheese. It tastes just like a breadstick with dipping sauce! Also try a veggie pizza and load the pizza with carb-free vegetables which adds great nutrients at a low calorie expense.

You could also order a salad (try with oil based dressing) before your pizza comes out to help fill you up

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A1c Tests

This week I received the following question from http://foodpicker.org

My A1c test result is 6.4% and my fasting blood sugar level is 113.  Do these numbers sound like diabetes and if so what do I do now?

The values mentioned seem to show the borderline of diabetes. A typical range for an A1c level is <6.5%. The A1c test is indicating what your average blood glucose (blood sugar level) has been the previous 3 months. This allows physicians to know how well the patient has monitored and controlled their blood glucose.  6.4% is equal to an average glucose around 135mg/dL which is above normal. Typically we want someone who is not diagnosed with diabetes to be <110mg/dL and a patient that is diagnosed with diabetes should be between 70-130mg/dL. The value of 113 shows that it is slightly high of the normal range for non-diabetics.

Looking at the A1c and fasting blood sugar from the question above, I would suggest scheduling a doctors visit and have them evaluate your blood glucose levels. Being overweight, history of diabetes in the family, high triglycerides and high blood pressure are risk factors that could lead to having Type 2 Diabetes. Many times in the early pre-diabetes stages, losing weight and eating balanced meals can help reduce any further progression to diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes then scheduling appointments with a Diabetes Educator and a Registered Dietitian is highly suggested. This will help you get a full understanding of how to monitor your blood glucose levels, what diabetes means, type of diet you should follow, diabetes medications and getting any questions or concerns answered. Many times people are advised by family, friends and neighbors about what diabetes is and what types of foods they need to avoid. Getting educated by a health professional credited for diabetes education and talking with a Registered Dietitian will allow you to get all the right information you need for a diabetic lifestyle.

A1c Equivalents to Blood Glucose - From American Diabetes Association Website