First off, these are just our tips...BUT always, always, always, speak with your care provider about your dieting and exercising before anything.
So here it goes.
When I was diagnosed I was so very scared and mostly upset because I have always been rather healthy and never really had a thing for carbs or sweets. None of that mattered at all. Our bodies are all different and we will experience different pregnancies! So don’t be so hard on yourself if you are hit with THE GD.
If in any way possible, try and look on the bright side…you are training yourself to eat in a way that we should in order to maintain our health. I like to look at it as learning how to eat so I can teach my children. Although the carbs are so damn yummy, we really don’t need as much as we consume on a daily basis. Plus, getting back your pre - pregnancy body will be a piece of cake when it’s all said and done! Hello that bright side.
Please keep in mind that this is what worked for ME so make sure you are monitoring your blood sugar and talking with your care provider as you find out what works best for you. I wish someone had these tips to share with me, I had to figure this out on my own!
First, don’t beat yourself up and dwell over something that is not your fault and that you have no control of. It really helped me when I started to realize that eating healthy was not a punishment but a positive challenge. What I did next was connect with others that were going through the same thing. I did a lot of research, replacing the fear with education. You will be surprised as to how much easier it is to cope once you realize that you are not alone and that through your experiences you could be helping others by sharing your recipes and stories!
TIP #1
EXERCISE!!! Not just walk around the block, I mean get your heart rate moving for 30 – 45 mins a day. This allowed me to safely consume my allowed carbs and not test high after meals.
Sometimes, I even take a very brisk walk after meals, before testing to ensure that my numbers are in line.
Change comes from the inside out so be honest with yourself and find ways to incorporate exercise somehow in your busy schedule. Something where you break a sweat. If you have to do jump squats, planks, and lunges in your living room while baby wearing then so be it. It can be a life saver.
Prenatal yoga and aquatic activities are other options, or find mommy meet ups that do workouts with baby in tow like Fit4mom.
I cannot stress to you how important exercise is during this time. I slept almost the whole 1st trimester but after that I was working out for 30 -60 mins every day. Not only did this make me feel great, but I was able to keep my meal numbers controlled without medication.
Ask your doc how to get this done if you have workout concerns and questions.
TIP #2
How to Eat Out
- In and Out burger - not like this happens often but when and if it does...then no spread and no bread! Stack up on the cheese, meat, and onions only!
- Tortillas! For when that carb craving is needed Mission Tortilla has a flour tortilla with only 6 net carbs, and La Tortilla Factory has a bigger one with only 6 net carbs. Take some to go if you are planning to eat out and ask the establishment to make you a dish with your own tortillas. For example, at a Mexican restaurant, you can have a steak or shrimp quesadilla made with your own tortillas and still stay within range. Be mindful if you are stacking on condiments, like sour cream and hot sauce, etc.
- At a sandwich place? Have them make you a wrap with your tortilla instead! There’s so many different options to choose from, you just have to be creative.
- Miss fruit but fear it will drive your numbers out of control? Find out how many servings of each you can have and pair it with a ton of protein!!! The protein plays a MAJOR role in slowing down the glucose absorption. Eat one piece of fruit at a time so not to spike your sugar levels and stay away from any canned fruit especially with sugar syrup.
- Avoid fruit juice.
- If you drink milk it is a great form of calcium. However, have one glass at a time because...it is a liquid form of carbs.
- Be careful with "sugar free" products as they still may be full of carbs, cause gas and bloating.
- Tongue train: Train those taste buds to not crave sugars, non nutritious desserts, and soda by weaning off of those sweets and artificial sugars as much as possible. Believe it or not, eventually you will not crave them like before.
These are two simple and basic tips. Yet, so very important in implementing in your lifestyle for wellness and wellbeing while dealing with GD.
Want more ideas? Check out https://anekantsquick.com/ for recipes that don’t’ suck.
Learn more about GD and lifestyle management https://anekantsquick.com/diabetes-basics/gestational/?referrer=https://www.google.com/
Article written by: Live Well Mama
See what Jeanne and Live Well Mama is up to these days at www.livewellmama.com
We are so lucky to have had Jeanne on Team Bun...she has personally dealt with GD and has managed to overcome and be a fit healthy mama. Go Jeanne!
*Post links are just things and recommendations we like! Purely love and non-sponsored.
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