Sample Lunch for Gestational Diabetes: BLT Salad

Having gestational diabetes doesn't mean you can't eat well, and have delicious food. Sometimes it just means being a little bit more creative with your meals.

Here's a sample lunch for gestational diabetes that is perfect if you like BLT's!
While BLT's are traditionally served on white bread with full fat bacon, this salad gives you all of the taste with less fat and none of the carbs.

BLT Salad:

1 1/2 cups lettuce (you can use any kind, but the greener varieties offer more nutrition. I used romaine).
1/2 cup chopped tomato (use garden tomatoes or the on-the-vine variety for a really fresh tomato taste)
3-5 slices of turkey bacon
1 tbsp. light or regular mayonnaise (add more or less mayo to taste)

*Cook the turkey bacon in the microwave between two paper towels for about 2 minutes (depending on the package directions and the strength of your microwave.
*Mix lettuce and tomato gently while bacon cools.
*Crumble bacon and add to salad, then gently toss all ingredients with mayonnaise.
*Enjoy!

Since the ingredients in this salad have virtually no carbs, you can add sides to suit your tastes and personal food plan. The International Diabetes Center allows 4 lunch carb options for its general guideline. For me, I find that more than 2 or three carb choices at any one meal can often spike my blood sugar - (less true with denser grains, like a mix of wild and brown rice, and more true with many fruits). So add what works for you. Some great options would be a piece of fresh fruit, whole grain crackers or a whole wheat roll, and light yogurt or a small smoothie. (And if you think smoothies are off limits for gestational diabetes diets, check out my 'fake shake' blog entry for a yummy recipe).