The GD…GD (gestational diabetes)

I’ll never forget my casual, dare I say naive, attitude surrounding the glucose test. The routine screening not only set the tone for the end of my pregnancy but overhauled my relationship with food … specifically carbs.

I scheduled my glucose test for the day before my husband and I left for our baby moon in Lake Tahoe. I truly believed there was no way it would come back “positive”. In fact I didn’t give it another thought until my doctor called and said I would need to take the dreaded three hour test. I was still not shaken and figured it was a fluke. In all my infinite wisdom I’d had a sugary beverage the morning before my original test.

*quick side note – Lake Tahoe is a magical place … the water is so beautiful and refreshing*

I waltzed into the three hour test confident and determined to “beat” it. I had heard horror stories about the three hour glucose test and while I wouldn’t compare it to a day at Disney Land … I did survive. I celebrated with a grilled cheese sandwich from Panera … this would be my last grilled cheese sandwich for quite sometime.

The next day my doctor called and gave me the diagnosis … I had gestational diabetes.  I completely broke down and cried for two days … then I became obsessed with learning everything humanly possible about diabetes. I learned, to my delight, many of my favorite foods were not off limits … such as cheese, nut butter, salad dressings and most importantly Yumm sauce. Sadly however bread, rice and precious ice cream would have to be consumed in moderation, if at all.

I learned how to poke my fingers (with what I lovingly referred to as “pokies” ) and check my sugars. I learned how to balance my meals to keep my sugars down. I learned rice spiked my sugars while quinoa was acceptable. I learned I couldn’t have many carbs in the morning but could have a few extra at lunch. I learned my bodies “tricks” and what worked. I was able to control my gestational diabetes with diet alone. I know this is not the case for everyone.

My average day of meals consisted of this:

• Breakfast – One tiny piece Dave’s Killer Bread (power seed) with an egg and slice of cheddar cheese.

• Snack – Hot tea (usually chai) with cream.

• Lunch – Pre-made salad from Costco, a little assortment of cheeses (usually cheddar and brie) and a small apple with almond butter.

• Dinner – roasted chicken breast, green beans and 1/3 cup of quinoa with Yumm sauce.

Did this diet get boring? Yes of course! At first I hated having to poke myself all the time and think about every single thing I ate. But once I got used to it I realized I felt better, had more energy and slept better. Ok that last part was a lie … no one sleeps good pregnant. I even allowed myself an occasional treat with doctor approval. I had a slice of cake at my baby shower and when I was really feeling rebellious I’d have a mini chocolate … wild I know.

I never thought I would say this but gestational diabetes changed my life for the better. For the most part I have  stuck to a low-carb lifestyle. I have found cauliflower rice to be just as delicious as rice, zoodles are amazing, spaghetti squash is heaven. However sometimes you have to indulge in the pizza and cupcakes because life is simply too short … and as my doctor told me “I don’t want to live in a world without Christmas cookies.”

So if you find yourself staring down the eyes of the gestational diabetes monster .. take it from someone who slayed the dragon … it is doable and it just might change you in more ways than you expect.