GD & ME

Image via Food & Wine Magazine

I'm a sweets girl, so when I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes during my second pregnancy, I was not thrilled. To be honest, I was scared. There can be complications if you don't keep your GD (shorthand for Gestational Diabetes) in check. I was totally overwhelmed by my management plan which included meeting with a nutritionist to learn how to control my blood sugar with diet, and pricking my finger at the designated times to check my glucose levels.

Surprisingly, after I gave birth to Mia and was cleared to eat cookies and whatever else I wanted, I missed the strict guidelines of the GD diet. I missed being on a meal plan that dictated my eating; it was easier than having to make food decisions myself, which oftentimes make me feel guilty. And I missed the freedom I had felt from no longer viewing certain foods as "good" and other foods as "bad." 

The GD diet breaks all foods down to their essential nutrients: carbohydrates, fat and protein. I ended up snacking on Justin's Peanut Butter Cups (20g carbs) but banning Cliff bars (41g carbs). No particular food was off limits, but going above a certain carb content was. Exercise helped, too. I remember craving a bagel from Barney Greengrass one day, a Levain cookie another. I was able to eat these things, I just walked a ton after. It actually proved my theory that occasionally dessert can substitute a meal. (A theory my husband has never agreed with.) 

On the GD diet, you basically limit carbs/sugars and enjoy lots of fats, proteins and veggies. Cheese is fine. (I'm not a cheese lover, but many GD sufferers are relieved to hear this.) My go to meals were small portions of multi-grain breads or English Muffins with healthy fats like avocado and peanut butter, proteins and veggies. I ate lots of eggplant parmesan and custom bowls from Sweetgreen. I had to cut out lemonade which was my go-to pregnancy drink. I couldn't eat more than a couple bites of my all-time favorite: black and white cookies. It was hard. I was overwhelmed, but it got easier.

One of the first things I did after being diagnosed was check the mommies groups online. I studied personal recommendations from mamas who had dealt with GD. I took notes for reference. The GD diet is a lot of trial and error. Try a food, test your blood sugar, see if it's OK. If not, choose something else next time. 

Initially I was stressed out by the finger pricking apparatus. I felt awkward doing it at my desk at work, but I didn't feel comfortable doing it in the bathroom either. Eventually I was able to do the whole process (cleaning, inserting needle etc) so swiftly no one even noticed. There were times I had to do it in a cab. Not ideal, but doable. (Which should be the motto for a lot of the things moms have to do during pregnancy and raising little kids.)

I felt comforted knowing other moms, including a few of my closest friends, had dealt with GD, and it wasn't the end of the world. Initially I had felt like I failed. I felt guilty for having GD. Was it the cookies? But I came to terms with the reality of the situation - it wasn't my fault. Some women just get GD. And in retrospect, I'm grateful for the lessons GD taught me about food choices and about my ability to adapt and be resilient. There are way worse things people deal with. But this was one of my challenges, and I rose to the occasion. I'm still a sweets lover for life, but I'd cut back again in a heartbeat for the health of my baby and myself. 

AES 

P.S. The night before I went into labor with Mia I offered to take my daughter Liv out for ice cream. It was a hot August evening and I was trying to get in as many special one on one moments with her as possible. Liv ordered my favorite: a chocolate and vanilla twist. I had just a few bites, because GD. But it was enough to feel like we shared the treat and another bonding moment between mommy and firstborn. I savor this sweet memory today.