7 Rules that Guarantee Diet Success and Water

7 Rules that Guarantee Diet Success and Water As a personal trainer at Bally's Total Fitness in Philadelphia, I have come across a number of people that claim to either be unable to lose weight or unable to stick to their diets. I personally think there is no one that is unable to lose weight and that most people that can not seem to lose weight often need just a slight adjustment in how they apply their diet.

There have been a large number of people that have, with my help, seen excellent results by making very slight changes in their diets. Sometimes it is nothing more than cutting back on a bag of potato chips; sometimes it is adding a real breakfast to their diet.

After a while I developed what I call "The 7 Rules to Eating Correctly." Tthese 7 rules were created to keep my clients on track with their diets. Whenever they would ask me why they had not been seeing the results that expected, I would ask which of the 7 rules had they failed to follow. >From observation, I realized that anyone following these rules would give the results that he or she desired.

With age I realized that I needed to add much more water into my diet and rule number 8 was born. I really believe that if you combine these 8 rules to your diet, no matter what diet you are advocating you will see results.

#1 - Supplement, supplement, supplement; Even though you may be eating very healthy there is no way to ensure that your body is getting the nutrients that it needs better than supplementation. At the very least have a multivitamin/ multi-mineral, antioxidant complex, and calcium. It would be even better if you could use the supplement that I selected and as
bodybuilders best vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

# 2 - Eat Breakfast; breakfast should be a complex carbohydrate like oatmeal, a protein and fat. By now you fully understand why breakfast is so important, if you never lifted a weight in your life this would still the most important rule to good health. Treat breakfast like American Express "Do not leave home without it!"

# 3 -prepare your meals ahead; two days, or even a week ahead if possible. By preparing your meals ahead you help to fight of the desire to snack or select the wrong foods when meal time comes. I find that most of my cheating comes when I get hungry and had to skip a meal for some reason.

# 4 - Eat every three and one half hours to 4 hours, assuming you are taking in enough proteins this will keep your body in positive nitrogen balance. Make sure you get enough protein since protein is what bodybuilding is all about. It is very important for type II diabetics that by eating many small meals (I eat from a saucer) a days you can better regulate your body's insulin levels.

#5 - Never Snack: I define snacking as anything that you consume that is not a part of your scheduled diet and:

. Has Pleasure as the sole purpose of consummation . It does nothing to build muscle, put you into a positive nitrogen state, regulate you insulin levels, or stop the development of free radicals.
. Has a protein to carb ratio of less than 1 to 1 . Fat content is greater than 25% of total calories of the product. Please understand that this is the total of a meal. Not all items, as an apple has a protein to carb ratio of less than 1-to-1 it can be scheduled as part of your diet for a given time of day and therefore is not a snack. However, an apple that you grab from off your buddies' desk at work is a snack. Snacks are those meals that are not planned. Success in bodybuilding is about being in control of every aspect of the sport.

# 6- Eat complete meals; if you are hungry eat! If you are not hungry do not eat. Meals should be planned. Since the body can only ingest so many calories before it becomes fat it makes sense to save those calories for proteins and vegetables, rather than snack. In my opinion there is no such thing as a good snack because it takes away from you planned meals.

# 7 - Eat when hungry, and only when hungry; if it is been at least 3.5 hours since your last meal and you have a physical desire to eat then you are hungry. I do not subscribe to the thought of not eating after 6pm. I believe that if you select the correct foods and your body does have a
desire for the foods than you should eat no matter what time it is. I believe in eating fairly clean all the time so I do not diet for contest like many bodybuilders I just increase my aerobic activity.

# 8 - Drink plenty of water try to get at least 1 oz of water for every lb of body weight. The first complaint that I hear even from bodybuilders is that that was too much muscle drinking water is new to you I found that drinking it before a meal rewarding yourself make with the meal is easier. Always drink water throughout your workout. I drink no less than a liter of water during my workout more on legs and back day.

So there you have it the armor you will need to fight the battle of the bulge.

Troy Pearsall

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Troy Pearsall has over 25 years of bodybuilding experience. 15 years as a competitive bodybuilder 15 years as a personal trainer and 10 years as a trainer of competitive bodybuilders. He has other successes in other areas but his first love is teaching the sport of bodybuilding. for mor information go to http://www.fire-iron-online.com

Diabetes: Cause And Prevention

By Robert Thatcher

An individual may get diabetes when the pancreas can no longer secrete the needed hormones that produce insulin. The insulin maintains the glucose in the blood to be normal. Low insulin means that the level of glucose, which is sugar in the blood, may get high and may lead to diabetes.

The autoimmune reaction is a type 1 diabetes where the cells in the pancreas organ that produces the needed insulin are destroyed. This results to the total loss of insulin in the hormones. This happens because the body has its own hormones that protects and destroys its own pancreas cells.

Although there is no scientific proof why this occurrence in the pancreas happens, some studies have some theories that may possibly be related in this kind of reaction. Some say that this happens when there is exposure of a newly born to a cow's milk, the infection from viruses and bacteria, and the exposure from food-borne chemical toxins. There is not enough evidence
yet to prove some theories that may trigger the cause of diabetes.

The type 2 diabetes is said to progress when there is lack of insulin that is needed to maintain the blood sugar in the body. Another reason is believed to be that the needed insulin not be effective effective to control the blood sugar because of abnormalities in composition. The last reason is said to be that the receptors in cells no longer respond and fail to stimulate the organ that produces the needed insulin.

An individual is likely developing the type 2 diabetes when a person is overweight or obese. The increase of age of an individual is also considered a factor in acquiring this type of diabetes. Some few cases that may lead in this type of diabetes may include when a woman is having her pregnancy, or when a person have some intakes of medicines and drugs. In addition, any
sickness or infectious decease that can alter the pancreas production of insulin.

There are some basic treatments for diabetes. These ways can serve an individual its important role in treating diabetes. Here are some ways on how a person can treat diabetes problems.

1. An individual must work thoroughly in obtaining his ideal body weight. Every individual must have a regular exercise and physical endurance tests. People who suffer from diabetes are recommended to be physically fit if possible. Exercises for the lungs and heart may help the person lessen the sugar that causes diabetes.

2. An individual must follow a diabetic diet program. Not being on the proper diet can be a great factor in acquiring type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that a person must lose weight if he is an overweight person. It is advisable that a person must be conscious of the food that he takes. Eat
foods that do not have sugar content.

3. The option of the individual to have medication and seek the help of a doctor. Every diabetes patients that have type1 and type 2 diabetes can take insulin daily to sustain the insulin production of the pancreas. There is also the new insulin pump that continuously provides the much-needed insulin. There are also new medications that treat diabetes like the synthetic human insulin, Sulfonylurea drugs, Biguanides, Thiazolidinediones, Meglitinides, Alpha-glucosidase, and other drug combinations.

Diabetes can be prevented with the proper awareness and information regarding this illness. What is important is that a person must have a healthy diet and regular exercise to have a healthy body. Responsibility and discipline is needed to help oneself in overcoming this disease.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides diabetes resources on http://www.your-diabetes-resource.info

Understanding Diabetes

By Arvind Katoch

Our body needs glucose, which converts this glucose in to energy. Our body converts whatever we eat into glucose after digestion. Insulin, a hormone produced by pancreas, help glucose to enter into blood cells. There glucose in metabolized, maintaining blood glucose level. Inefficiency or loss of insulin lead to increase in glucose level in blood and it causes diabetes

The factors which are responsible for this are many like sedentary life style and irregular eating habits. Intake of junk food and calorie dense food like pizza, burger, cold drinks, cheese and French fries causes the child hood obesity and lead to obese adult. Increase in body fat leads to
less production of insulin and production of other harmful toxics. Which are responsible for heart diseases, diabetes and syndrome X at young age.

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or type I occur in younger age. In this case insulin therapy is required. Person will not survive, if insulin is not given. Non Insulin dependent diabetes or type occurs in elderly patient when either there is insufficient insulin or its action is impaired. This type it is treated by "Oral Hypoglycemic drugs" like (glibenclamide, Metformin). Insulin therapy is given only if blood glucose level is very high and not controlled.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and suffering from it may cause to develop diabetes in later age. Other type of diabetes, sometimes in tropical countries like India endocrine gland, pancreas got shrink or riddled by stone. The deficiency of insulin in these cases causes the
diabetes.

The therapies for insulin are highly individualized and depend upon age, type and condition of diabetes. The precaution in diet is necessary in this case. More amount of protein and fruits intake in desirable. But batter a complete diet chart should be made and followed. Physical activity is must as it boosts the fitness level. A 30 to 40 minutes walk every day is the best exercise. Close monitoring blood glucose level is necessary in diabetic patients. So that changes in therapy taken on the requirement.

Diabetes has become a common name to us. This is completely a modern time disease, caused due to the inactivity of the body and intake of junk foods. Lack of exercise and obesity are one of the main reasons for this disease. We can fight this disease, by taking the early precautions. To avoid it, eat healthy food, do regular exercise, take care of foot diseases, by maintaining normal blood pressure and lipid level and lead a stress free life.

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Obesity And Pregnancy

By Beverley Brooke

If you are overweight when you become pregnant, your physician will likely recommend that you gain less weight than a woman who is average or normal weight. You should not diet during pregnancy because it is vital that you supply your body and unborn baby with an adequate number of nutrients. What you can do however to minimize your weight gain is to ensure that you eat a healthy selection of foods during your pregnancy.

One of the best things you can do to avoid too much weight gain is ensure that you have a healthy selection of snacks handy when at times when hunger strikes. Think about things like yogurt, raisins, nuts, fruit and other healthy selections that are not only convenient but also taste good.

There are health conditions that being overweight or obese increases the risk for during pregnancy. Among these include:

- Preeclampsia

- Premature Birth

- Gestational Diabetes

- Cesarean Sections

Giving Birth to Children with Obesity Problems

Unfortunately women who are already overweight prior to pregnancy are more likely to gain excessive amounts of weight during pregnancy. Several studies have suggested that more than 80 percent of overweight and obese women will gain too much weight, defined as weight exceeding 40 pounds or more, during their pregnancy.

Women who are obese and give birth are also more at risk for maternal mortality during labor and delivery. The cesarean rates are often higher because labor fails to progress in a timely fashion.

Did you know that gaining more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy also puts you at risk for being overweight several years after pregnancy?

Babies born to mothers that are overweight might also experience a number of health problems. Those most often cited by studies include an increased risk of congenital heart defects and a greater risk of neural tube defects.

The best thing you can do for yourself and the health of your unborn child is maintain a healthy weight prior to becoming pregnant. If you are overweight, work with your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to come up with a sound dietary regimen that will ensure that you gain an appropriate amount of weight for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Adopting healthy habits during your pregnancy often results in a 'carry over' effect, meaning you are more likely to eat healthily after giving birth as well as before.

Article by Beverley Brooke, author of "Ensure a healthy safe pregnancy for you and your baby and lose weight after pregnancy", visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.com for more on obesity and pregnancy

Diabetes: Plain Talk About The Basics

Diabetes is basically a disease that interferes with the ability of our bodies to use food for energy and growth. One thing that happens when we digest food is that some of it is converted into glucose (sugar) that goes into our blood stream for energy and growth. Diabetes' primary effect is that our blood sugar glucose levels can get high. You've heard of insulin, right?

Your pancreas produces insulin. Well, insulin is the hormone that gets the glucose (fuel) into our cells to help create energy. If your body isn't making enough insulin or using it correctly to help this fueling process, sugar starts to get backed up in your blood. That is not good.

Some symptoms to watch out for if you suspect diabetes are: a loss in weight, and an increase in appetite. Feeling very thirsty and having to urinate frequently, blurred vision, numbness in hands, feet, arms and legs can also be early indicators of a problem. When diabetes is caught early there are usually much better outcomes than when it is ignored. If you suspect any possibility, please see a doctor right away.

Government statistics show diabetes as the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. There is a long list of complications associated with diabetes such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, and blood circulation problems.

Early symptoms of diabetes may not seem too severe, or so far out of the ordinary to cause worry. That's a problem. Most people ignore warnings and just hope it goes away. The sad thing is that catching it early and taking action can prevent the more serious complications of diabetes down the road.

About 95% of all cases of diabetes fall into three different types: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and Gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is also called early onset, or juvenile diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Government statistics state that Type 1 diabetes may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. This develops when the body's immune system starts attacking and preventing cells in the pancreas from producing insulin.

Gestational diabetes is body intolerance for glucose that can develop in pregnant women. It is very important to be tested and treated for diabetes not only for mom. but for the baby's sake also. Though gestational diabetes often passes with pregnancy, women who develop gestational diabetes are at a very significantly higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Lastly, there is Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for about 9 out of 10 cases. There is debate over whether type 2 diabetes is hereditary or not. Prevalent thinking is that Type 2 diabetes is most likely due to poor diet and being overweight. About 80% of those with Type 2 diabetes are
overweight.

If you are overweight and not physically active, you can be at high risk for developing diabetes. If you have diabetes the best way to avoid the complications of diabetes is to alter your eating and exercise habits. A lot of the more common problems of diabetes can be avoided by staying away from sweets and sugars.

By becoming more fit through exercise and eating healthy, you can avoid aggravating or accelerating problems associated with diabetes. The worst thing you can do is ignore the changes that need to be made.

To a large extent the quality of your life living with diabetes is in your own hands.

Why wait to learn the truth about healthy lifestyles? There is a gallery of powerful information for the taking. Decide now to improve the quality of your life. Click here: Diabetes Information.

Morbidly Obese and Suffering Pregnancy Complications? Consider Gastric Bypass

By Kaye Bailey

Obese and morbidly obese women are more likely to have pregnancy complications and caesarean sections than women of average weight, according to a study published in the April 2004 American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The controlled study is one of the largest ever to look at obesity in pregnancy, following more than 16,000 pregnant women at 14 medical centers across the country.

Compared with women of normal weight, obese and morbidly obese pregnant women were at greater risk for gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal birth weight greater than 4,000 grams, and fetal birth weight greater than 4,500 grams, the study finds.

Morbidly obese women who undergo gastric bypass weight loss surgery and lose weight report a higher rate of normal births and healthy deliveries if they lose weight prior to becoming pregnant.

In a study by Dr. Alan C. Wittgrove, past president of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery and pioneer of the laparoscopic technique, post-gastric bypass pregnancy indicates fewer risks than commonly reported by women who are obese during pregnancy. His study was conducted with nurse-practitioner Leslie Jester who had a low-risk pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby after gastric bypass surgery.

The Wittgrove Center has an active patient list of over 2000 people. The patients are informed to contact the Center when they become pregnant. In the study 41 women in the patient population became pregnant. Using personal interview, questionnaire, and review of perinatal records, pregnancy-related risks and complications were studied.

The study found less risk of gestational diabetes, macrosomia, and cesarean section than associated with obesity. There were no patients with clinically significant anemia.

Kaye Bailey C 2005 - All Rights Reserved

An award winning journalist and former newspaper editor Kaye Bailey brings expertise in writing and personal experience with gastric bypass surgery to EzineArticles.com. Having spent most of her life overweight Ms. Bailey is strongly empathetic toward the obese, particularly overweight children. This compassion compelled her to found the website http://www.livingafterwls.com, a fast-growing resource of information, understanding and support for the weight loss surgery community.

The LivingAfterWLS.com site is complimented with daily blog. The blog, http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com offers readers the chance to comment or leave feedback about fresh content added daily. This site contains success stories and recipes, general information and WLS inspired topics. Complementing the site is a monthly newsletter titled "You Have Arrived" available exclusively to people who subscribe through the website or the
blog.

Diabetic Pregnant Women - Gestational Diabetes

By Michael Russell

Gestational diabetes affects approximately 3 to 5 percent of all pregnant women in the United States. This article addresses issues such as diet, exercise, blood sugar level and general medical care of women with gestational diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease where the body uses food improperly. The body gets its main energy source from glucose or from a breakdown of complex carbohydrates such as starches. Once sugar and starches are digested, they enter the blood stream in the form of glucose. Insulin assists the body in getting the glucose from the blood stream to the muscles and other body tissues. The pancreas is where insulin is manufactured. Glucose cannot get into the body
cells without insulin. Instead, glucose accumulates in the blood and is excreted into the urine through the kidneys.

Women with gestational diabetes have plenty of insulin. The problem is thatthe insulin is partly blocked by hormones made in the placenta. This is called insulin resistance. In women without gestational diabetes, the pancreas makes enough insulin to overcome the insulin resistance. But when the pancreas makes all the insulin it can and it still cannot overcome the effect of the placenta's hormones, that woman has gestational diabetes.

Factors associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes are obesity, diabetes in the family, a stillbirth, or a child with a birth defect. Studies have shown that women older than 25 are also at greater risk. The Council on Diabetes in Pregnancy recommends that all pregnant
women be screened for this disease. One of the most common screening methods is the 50-gram glucose screening test.

The key to preventing complications is control of blood sugar levels immediately after the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. A comforting fact is that gestational diabetes does not cause birth defects. But many babies are born much larger than average. The baby can grow too large for a vaginal birth and a cesarean section delivery is necessary. In some cases, the baby
is born with hypoglycemia. In this case, the baby will be given glucose intravenously. These two examples are manageable and preventable. The key is careful control of blood sugar levels in the mother immediately after the diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

An important component in caring for gestational diabetes is a strict diet. There is a wide assortment of literature that details dietary guidelines for women with gestational diabetes. Her health care practitioner will teach her how to measure her blood glucose level at home. Additionally, she may have to check her urine for ketones (these are by-products of the breakdown of fat). Ketones may be found in the blood and urine as a result of inadequate
insulin.

It is very unlikely that the baby will have diabetes. However, the child may be at risk for Type II diabetes. Other problems such as hypoglycemia and jaundice may also occur.

More than likely, gestational diabetes goes away immediately after delivery. But these women are at risk of developing it in future pregnancies. Make sure to have screening tests during subsequent pregnancies in the first trimester.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Diabetics

Signs Of Gestational Diabetes - What To Watch

By Mike Herman

Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects pregnant women.

If you are pregnant, you should be aware of the signs of gestational diabetes so that you can seek medical attention immediately.

Although you may not have diabetes and may never have diabetes over the span of your life, you may be at risk for developing gestational diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition where you body fails to covert sugar properly.

This excess sugar builds up in the body and can be potentially fatal if left unchecked. Although this condition can be caused by genetic disposition, diet, and other outside factors, women who are pregnant are also at risk for a unique form of the disease.

Typically, when the baby is born, the diabetes will disappear and may not appear if you become pregnant with another child.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

Approximately one in 25 pregnant women is affected by gestational diabetes.

Typically, this type of diabetes will occur during the last three months of the pregnancy , but may potentially occur before that time.

The surge of hormones that are present while you are pregnant can completely change your body chemistry.

Furthermore, these hormones can make someone who has never had any problems converting sugars in their body suddenly unable to do so properly.

The specific hormones that are believed to be the root cause of the problem come from the placenta.

Although not all women are likely to develop gestational diabetes, you may be more at risk if you are overweight or expecting over the age of 30.

Signs Of Gestational Diabetes

The most common signs associated with gestational diabetes are extreme hunger and thirst .

Although a growling stomach is certainly no stranger to a pregnant woman, any extreme feelings may be signs of a problem.

Associated with the increased liquid intake is an increased urinary output. Again, this is a common complaint for pregnant women, but any extreme urination should be noted.

Other symptoms include blurred vision and excess weight gain.

If you believe that you are suffering from any of these symptoms, contact your obstetrician.

He or she will run a test to see whether or not you have developed gestational diabetes.

What To Do After Diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, consider reading up on the disease itself.

Education is the key to acceptance and can make a condition that seems scary very livable, at least until the birth of your child.

Typically, women with mild cases of gestational diabetes can control the condition with a proper diet that is prescribed by your physician.

Be sure to understand which foods can cause problems with the condition and avoid them if at all possible.

If you have been diagnosed with a more serious case of gestational diabetes, you may need to have daily injections of insulin and test your blood sugar regularly.

Especially with women who need to use insulin injections, the threat of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia is especially dangerous.

For this reason, carry the appropriate items, including insulin syringes and sugared candies with you at all times.

If you feel the onset of either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, immediately call 911 or head straight to your local hospital.

Mike Herman Is a Successful Webmaster and Publisher of 4HealthConcerns.com . Where He Has More Information Pregnancy and Diabetes That You Can Research While Relaxing at Home in Your Pajamas

When An Expectent Mother Has Gestational Diabetes

By Carl DiNello

When pregnant, a woman is not only responsible for her body, but also for her growing fetus. For the period of her pregnancy, whatever she does is doubled. In this case, the primary concern is her health, and the health of her unborn child. She must take considerable care of herself. Should she get the flu, it may only affect her short term, but it could have a long term
effect on her baby.

An illness that affects an estimated 4% of the total women pregnant in the United States is gestational diabetes. These are women who haven't had diabetes, but have high glucose levels while they are pregnant.

It is uncertain what causes gestational diabetes, and the closest pediatricians can determine involves the placenta. The hormones in the placenta are responsible for the baby's development. However, should these hormones become blocked, the mothers body is deprived of the injected
insulin it needs. This is scientifically called "insulin resistance." This hormonal blockage makes it difficult for the mothers body to use the insulin that is being injected in her.

Why would insulin need to be injected? As a result of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs when the mothers body is no longer able to make the insulin that is required for her pregnancy. This shortage of insulin prevents glucose from leaving the blood. Glucose must leave the blood in order to convert to the necessary amount of energy required by the mother
and her baby. Should the glucose build up in the blood to a high level, hyperglycemia will occur.

What are the side effects for the baby when hyperglycemia occurs? It depends on when the mother has the ailment. If she is in her late trimester, when the baby's body has already been formed, she can consider herself and her baby very lucky. At this late stage, it is unlikely that the baby will suffer any kind of birth defect whatsoever.

However, should she have gestational diabetes when the pregnancy is less than six months old, the baby may very well have problems when it comes to body formation. This is because the mothers pancreas must function twice as hard in order to produce the needed insulin for her and the baby. When glucose gets stuck in the blood, then other nutrients are also stuck. Extra blood glucose now seeps into the placenta. The effects of gestational diabetes will now cause the baby to have high blood glucose levels, which will slowly become fat.

The results of this added fat are referred to as "Macrosomia," or what is known to be an overly fat baby. As a result of the additional insulin being created by the baby's pancreas, a newborn will tend to have a really low blood glucose level at birth. This condition puts the baby at a higher risk when it comes to potential breathing problems. These babies are prone to obesity, and their mothers will most likely be affected by type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for this condition must begin immediately after the problem is discovered. Successful treatment for gestational diabetes will result in a lowering of blood glucose down to normal levels.

Treatment consists of a special diet containing just the right amount of sugar, along with a regular exercise program whenever possible. Daily testing of blood glucose, and regular insulin injections are also necessary.

Soon-to-be-mothers must do everything they can to maintain good health for their own sake, and the sake of their child.

Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet's most popular topics. To read more on this topic, please visit Diabetes Symptoms & Risks!

You may republish this article on your website, or e-zine so long as none of the content, or author information has been edited or changed in any way, and all links are left active and unchanged.

Guidelines for a Healthy Gestational Diabetes Diet

By Marleny Anicama

A balanced nutrition is more than ever important throughout your pregnancy if you have developed gestational diabetes. First off, how does diabetes develop? Diabetes develops when your body isn't able to produce or use insulin, a hormone that allows cells to become sugar in your blood (glucose) into usable energy. When large amounts of glucose build up in your blood,
this means that your cells aren't getting the energy they need. High blood sugar can be harmful for you and your baby, thus it's important to control it.

The best way to keep your blood sugar levels under control is to follow a specific meal plan. It is strongly recommend that you see your doctor so you make a diet especially suited for you. This diet is made based on your weight, height, physical activity, and the needs of your growing baby, as well as your level of glucose intolerance.

Your dietitian will begin by calculating how many calories you will have to intake each day. You should also be instructed on how to choose portion sizes and which meals will give you the right balance of fat, protein and carbohydrates. Also, your dietitian will need to know what your eating habits are and make sure you are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

There are tons of great guidelines on the internet for gestational diabetes diet. Here I have brought together those tips all in one article. However, always consult with your doctor or dietitian before making any changes to your diet.

Eat a variety of foods. Distribute calories and carbohydrates evenly during the day. Make sure all of your meals are balanced. The American Diabetes Association suggests that you eat three small to moderate sized meals and two to four snacks every day, including an after dinner snack.

Most importantly, do not skip meals. Your blood sugar will remain more stable if your food is distributed evenly throughout the day and consistently from day to day.

Milk is a healthy choice, but in moderation. Since milk is high in lactose, a simple sugar, drinking more than two or three glasses a day may do you more harm than good. Other sources of calcium are available. Try for example club soda with a squeeze of lemon or orange, or unsweetened decaffeinated iced tea.

Slowly increasing your activity level, exercise, is also a good way to keep your glucose levels normal. Always remember however to consult with your doctor to see how intense your exercise can be. Intense exercise can be harmful for gestational diabetes.

Keeping your gestational diabetes diet under control may seem difficult at first. But always remember to not look at it as a task but make it part of your lifestyle. Doing this will make it easier for you to follow your dietitians recommendations and furthermore taking care of your health and
your babies.

Marleny is dedicated to writing about Diabetes to help those finding information. More tips, recipes and information can be found at Diabetes Care.

The Effects of Diabetes

By Mary Anne Winslow

Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas that effects the entire body. The pancreas fails to manufacture enough insulin for the body's use. Diabetes can be inherited. The deficiency causes an unhealthy level of glucose in the bloodstream, which is detrimental and damaging to the blood vessels and nerves. Diabetes can be hazardous to your health if unknown. However, once
diagnosed, there are many treatments that can be used to lead a normal life style.

There are two principle forms of diabetes Type 1 diabetes and Type 2, however among pregnant women there has been the presence of gestational diabetes. The case study chosen for this assignment has type 1 diabetes (see appendix 1 for case study details). Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is caused by the destruction of the body's
insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Although this type of diabetes is more prevalent among children and adolescents, it cans strike at any age and accounts for 10 percent of all diabetic cases. Due to the fact that the body in this case fails to produce insulin, daily injections must be taken to metabolize the glucose digested. Whereas Type 2 diabetes formally known as
non-insulin dependent diabetes, results from the body's inability to respond properly to the action of the insulin produced by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of diabetes occurring more frequently in adults, but appearing increasingly in adolescents.

Diabetes in pregnancy has long been recognized as a serious problem for both the mother and fetus. Before the availability of insulin in the 1920's women with diabetes rarely became pregnant. Those who did become pregnant rarely carried a fetus to viability. Diabetes now occurs in approximately 2% to 3% of the pregnant population. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance and is first recognized during pregnancy. It can
be that the onset of this condition in a pregnancy might indicate a previously undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, or it might be GDM can resolve spontaneously after the birth. There is no real consensus on what methods to use for screening for GDM. Women with GDM have a 30 per cent chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, compared to a likelihood of 10 per cent in the general population. The risk is higher for women of Asian and African-Caribbean origin. Approximately five to ten per cent of women with GDM develop type 1 diabetes in later life. These women have a slowly developing form of type 1 diabetes which is revealed during pregnancy . There is a risk of GDM in subsequent pregnancies, but this can be reduced through weight control, exercise and careful attention to diet.

In women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the main complication is fetal macrosomia. These large for gestational age fetuses are at risk of birth trauma, including shoulder dystocia, bone fractures and brachial plexus injury. Neonates born to diabetic women are also at risk of hypoglycemia and other transient metabolic disorders. Although rarer than in type 1 diabetes,
prenatal mortality may be increased with insulin-requiring gestational diabetes.

Women who are considered to be at risk of gestational diabetes undergo a glucose tolerance test. This will indicate whether they have normal or impaired glucose tolerance or have developed diabetes. The criteria for carrying out this test vary but have relied upon generally the risk factors and the presence of heavy or repeated glycosuria.

In the early stages of the pregnancy diabetic control may be complicated by nausea and vomiting. However as the fetus does gradually grow the mothers need for carbohydrates increases and ketosis is induced more without difficulty, especially in the later stages of the pregnancy. Diabetics who rely upon their diet to control their diet may become insulin dependent. Blood sugar must be maintained at a sustainable level in order to avoid intensifying the effects of the diabetes.

The result of unrestrained diabetes on the fetus is moderately due to disturbed maternal metabolism. Severe maternal ketosis can cause intrauterine death and sometimes maternal death and therefore demands urgent hospitalization is suspected. The fetus blood glucose is similar to that of its mother and it is generally considered that congenital abnormality is caused by fetal hyperglycemia during the first trimester of pregnancy. No particular congenital abnormality is typical but the rare combination of sacral agenesis and neurological defects is most often seen in babies of diabetic mothers. Neural tube defects are twice as common amongst babies of diabetic mothers and defects in the kidney and heart are also seen.

Glycosylated Hb releases oxygen poorly to the fetus and this may lead to intrauterine growth retardation. A compensatory fetal polycythaemia develops and will result in neonatal jaundice when the excess red cells are broken down. This is worsened by relative immaturity of liver enzymes in these babies. Babies of mothers with poorly controlled diabetes may be large
(macrosomic) rather than small. The fetus responds to the extra glucose by producing more insulin which can increase its body fat and muscle mass. Birth weight and body length are both greater and kidneys and adrenal cortex are larger. The head circumference and brain size are however normal.

Pregnancy can worsen pre-existing complications of diabetes, particularly retinopathy. It is therefore, advisable for women with diabetes to have a retinal examination before they become pregnant. Inevitably, some women will become pregnant without having had the opportunity to optimize their health, and some pregnancies are not planned. Women with type 2 diabetes who are contemplating pregnancy should stop taking their oral hypoglycaemic medication. This medication is teratogenic (a substance that interferes with normal pre-natal development, causing one or more fetal abnormalities) in early pregnancy it is not recommended. Women with high blood pressure who are taking ACE inhibitors should discontinue taking them, as they are also detrimental in pregnancy.

During a normal pregnancy, maternal metabolism adjusts to provide sufficient nutrition for both the mother and the growing

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