Recipes for Diabetic Women During the Second Trimester

For diabetics, food restrictions often represent a major obstacle when thinking about what to cook. With these recipes for pregnant diabetic women, you'll find varied and healthy options to choose from. 

In this article you’ll find recipes for diabetic women during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Diabetes is a condition that generates insulin resistance or produces lower amounts of insulin, which is responsible for processing glucose in the body. This is a problem for pregnant women, especially when it comes to looking for healthy meals.

Setbacks can occur during the beautiful process of pregnancy. One of them is gestational diabetes, which occurs during the end of pregnancy and can cause problems in the health of the fetus.

There is also the possibility that women may have diabetes before pregnancy or even after pregnancy. While it’s necessary to take special care of yourself, it isn’t a disease that involves serious risks for the future mother or baby.

Careful diet for diabetic women

Food plays a key role in the lives of those with diabetes. Not to mention in the lives of pregnant women, who need to meet exceptional nutritional requirements.

Before we continue on with recipes for diabetic women in the second trimester of pregnancy, we’ll clarify which foods you should pay attention to.

• Best: fruits and vegetables with plenty of water, such as chard, eggplant, broccoli, pumpkin, cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, cabbages, artichokes and tomatoes.
• Allowed: these can be consumed, but you must respect the portion sizes indicated by your nutritionist. These include: rice, pasta, potatoes, bananas, oats, barley, lentils, whole-grain breads and whole-grain or soy crackers.

• Fruits: strawberries, tangerines, papayas, melons, pineapples, pears, apples, mangoes, oranges, peaches, grapes and cherries.
• Permitted dairy products: skim milk, curds, kumis, and dietetic yogurt. Vegetable fats such as canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil and olive oil are also allowed.
• Not allowed: you should avoid consuming sugar, brown sugar, honey, molasses, chocolates, sweetened desserts, ice cream, sandwiches, jams, sweets in general and soft drinks. It’s also necessary to avoid eating all animal fats, such as fatty meats, sausages, butter, cream, mayonnaise, lard, chicken skin, bacon and cream cheeses.

Recipes for diabetic women during the second trimester of pregnancy

Now let’s get to the heart of the matter and provide a list of recipes suitable for diabetic women during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Churrascos criollos

Ingredients (6 servings)

• 1 lb of steak
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 4 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 1 medium green pepper, sliced
• 1 medium red pepper, sliced
• 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley or cilantro
• 1/2 cup low-fat beef broth
• 3 pear-style tomatoes thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup white wine

Preparation

• Season the meat with half a teaspoon of salt and pepper.
• Place oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet and put a layer of meat in it. On top of the meat, place the potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and parsley.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and oregano.
• Put another layer of meat on and repeat.
• Cover with broth and wine and put a lid on the skillet.
• Cook between 30 and 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked.
• Serve the meat and vegetables on a place and pour sauce on top.

Sugar-free dessert

This is a special recipe for diabetic women during the second trimester of pregnancy. The good thing about it is that it allows women to have a treat, which is typically forbidden for diabetics.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 14 packs of stevia powder
• 1 cup leavening flour
• 1/2 cup sugar-free yogurt (can be flavored or plain)
• 3.5 ounces neutral-tasting oil
• 1 grated lemon

Preparation:

• Mix 3 eggs with the stevia in a bowl.
• Beat for 8 minutes with a mixer.
• Add the yogurt and beat a little more.
• Add the oil and continue beating
• Add the sifted flour. Beat slowly for another couple of minutes to mix.
• Pour the lemon zest into the mixture and fold it in with a spatula. If it’s still thick, add some skim milk. 
• Transfer the mixture to a greased and floured pan or mold.
• Put it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.

Pasta primavera

Ingredients:

• Pasta (the amount will depend on how many people will be served)
• Chicken breast cut into cubes and cooked
• 1 package of frozen vegetables
• Light dressing, homemade if possible
• Tomato sauce (optional)

Preparation: 

• Boil the pasta in water with a drop of oil.
• During the last three minutes of cooking, add the frozen vegetables.
• Drain the water and add two tablespoons of light dressing and the cubed cooked chicken.
• Stir, and add tomato sauce if you desire.

As always, we emphasize that pregnancy is experienced differently by every woman. Therefore, symptoms and discomforts can affect daily activities in different ways. If you don’t feel like cooking, ask for help.

With these simple recipes for diabetic women during the second trimester of pregnancy, you already have part of the planning solved. Go ahead and try them!