Recipes for Gestational Diabetes??

There aren't really restrictions on what you can eat but more so on how much of it you can eat. Specifically, foods high in carbohydrates need to be spaced throughout the day so your body can process them properly and you don't get too much of a build up in your blood sugar. So, my recommendation to you is to offer a variety of foods, not just a whole bunch of carb-laden stuff. Foods with carbohydrates include fruits, starchy vegetables like corn/peas/potatoes, breads, cakes/cookies, fruit juice or regular pop. You can and should still offer some of these foods, but also offer protein based selections like meats and cheeses and some veggies to balance it out.

I had GD when I was pregnant. It's been 3 yrs, so I don't remember exactly but I had to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks a day, with certain food groups represented each meal/snack. You will want to stay as sugar free as possible with cake/dessert. (I think mine was angel food cake with whipped cream/fresh strawberries). Have fresh veggie/fruit trays available. I had to go to a class to learn about what to eat, so ask the mom to be what her restrictions are, she should be able to help you plan that part.

Hi L.,

I had gestational diabetes too. Hated going through that. I found some recipes for you for your SIL.
http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-recipes/special-die...

Portion size is also a factor with diabetes. I hated that part too. Luckily after you have the baby, the diabetes should immediately go away. :-D

Enjoy the baby shower. Hope that link can help. If you need anymore help in doing some research for diabetic food, I'd be more than happy to help. Or you can google: Diabetic Recipes, and it will give you several options. :-)

To piggyback off what one mom said--they *are* mostly looking to control it during pregnancy, through diet--which, in some ways, is harder than being diabetic--because it is all diet restricted, without using insulin to help out. I second the fruits and veggies, or even a meat and cheese tray. There are some diabetic cookbooks and such--check your library. I would avoid things like a fruit pizza or any starch-based snacks, or at least go minimally. I personally was a little resentful of being diabetic and having to eat differently than my family (there's a steep learning curve to it) and would have been frustrated to be at a shower where I could only have ONE of the best things there! Then again, that's me; perhaps your mama to be is much more gracious than I am. :)

Every person's body and hormones will be a bit different but basically, they at first try to control it with diet. Many times by the last month, they may need insulin to help (just cause the hormones can make it difficult otherwise).

Proteins and veggies are typically best (best to have 2nd of these than other things). Starches will make her levels rise (things such as potatoes, breads, pastas, corn, some "beans"). Doesn't mean she can't have these things but it is about portion control. She shouldn't really have 2nds of these things.

What they told me when I was GD was anything in moderation is better than depriving myself and then eating a whole cake...better off to just eat a small slice and be done.

Basically she should follow a diabetic diet. One thing to note is that unlike the regular diabetic, they are looking to regulate her levels until the baby comes...they aren't looking at long term. What I mean is that I read that sherbert was better than ice cream for a diabetic so I thought great...I like orange sherbert better anyway. For a true diabetic ice cream is a concern due to fat content (weight and heart concerns since often times a diabetic has more than one risk factor) so sherbert is better but the sugar content is higher so for those with GD, ice cream is better (but just one scoop!).

The other thing to note is forget the food groups as you learned them as a kid. Dairy (cheese for example) isn't always dairy...it's also protein (for example, I was to have dairy and protein in a snack so I had milk and a cheese stick).