Gestational Diabetes? Here’s How Nutrition Changes Everything
Finding out you have gestational diabetes can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to derail your pregnancy. With the right knowledge and support, you can manage your health and have the birth experience you’ve been planning for.
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So, you just found out that you “failed” the glucose test and have gestational diabetes. You’re probably feeling a rush of emotions—panic, frustration, confusion—and you’ve got a lot of questions.
“What does this mean for me and my baby? Will this affect my birth plans—are all my options gone now?”
I’m here to answer those questions, but first, breathe with me:
Take a sloooow breath in through your nose.
Sloowwwly let it out.
Another slow breath…in….and out.
One more…in….and out.
Okay. Now that your nervous system is a bit calmer, let’s begin.
Key Things You Should Know
First, here’s what I want you to know:
- You are NOT doomed to taking insulin or medication for the rest of your pregnancy.
- Your birth can likely still go the way you hoped, if you are willing to put in some work.
- You absolutely can manage gestational diabetes naturally—and there are experts who can help you do it.
In other words, you aren’t defined by this diagnosis. Your risk has to do with your blood sugar levels—which you can influence—not a label!
In fact, one of the leading experts in gestational diabetes, Lily Nichols, has stated, “With good blood sugar numbers, you have no higher risk of complications compared to women without gestational diabetes.” Yes, you read that right—no higher risk, as long as your blood sugar is well-managed.
Understanding Diabetes
If this is your first time encountering diabetes, let me break it down:
Diabetes is all about blood sugar—called blood glucose—and insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by moving glucose into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
When you eat, your blood sugar naturally rises, and insulin steps in to bring those levels back to normal. But in both type 2 and gestational diabetes, the body produces insulin but doesn’t use it as effectively. This leads to elevated blood sugar.
Over time, consistently high blood sugar can cause damage to nerves, cells, and multiple organs and systems in the body.
(Note: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, meaning insulin must be injected to regulate blood sugar.)
Why is Gestational Diabetes a Concern?
Gestational diabetes comes with extra risks, for both mom and baby.
For Baby
The main concern for babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes is macrosomia, or a larger-than-average baby. While there’s a lot of misunderstanding around this, a true case of macrosomia carries real risks:
- Hypoglycemia: After birth, babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes can experience abnormally low blood sugar. While in the womb, the baby gets extra glucose, and their body produces extra insulin to manage it. However, once born and no longer exposed to the high glucose levels from the mother, the baby’s insulin levels remain high, but the glucose supply drops, leading to hypoglycemia.
- Dystocia: This refers to a difficult birth, typically when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck on the mom’s pelvis. It’s a true emergency but can usually be managed effectively by experienced providers. (It’s also important to note that dystocia can happen with any size baby, not just larger ones.)
- Diabetes Later in Life: Babies born to mothers with poorly controlled gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Quite literally, their pancreas development their insulin resistance is set during pregnancy, and if gestational diabetes isn’t managed well, they can have a 6x higher risk (or more) of diabetes in adolescence.
- Heart Defects: Some studies suggest that even mildly elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy may increase the risk of heart defects in babies.
For Mom
As a mom with gestational diabetes, your risks increase for:
- Preeclampsia: A condition that causes high blood pressure and potential organ damage
- Type 2 Diabetes in the Future: Having gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on.
- Gestational Diabetes in Future Pregnancies: If you’ve had gestational diabetes once, you’re at a higher risk of having it again in future pregnancies.
The Role of Diet for Managing Diabetes
Many women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes will be told to eat no fewer than 175 grams of carbs every day. But even following this advice their blood sugar levels are still too high. The truth is, there is no solid evidence to support a minimum carb intake for pregnant women, especially those trying to manage gestational diabetes.
In fact, experts recommend the opposite.
Lily Nichols and her colleagues have done extensive work in understanding gestational diabetes. The takeaway is simple: gestational diabetes can be managed with a nutrient-dense, low-carb diet.
Rather than focusing on a carb minimum or a one-size-fits-all approach, Nichols emphasizes the importance of nutrient-dense, low glycemic foods, along with listening to your body to support both your health and your baby’s.
If you’re looking for a proven, evidence-based approach to managing gestational diabetes naturally, I highly recommend checking out Lily Nichols’ work. Start with her book, Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, where you’ll find a wealth of practical advice and meal plans designed to help you stabilize blood sugar levels without restrictive dieting.
If you’re ready to dive deeper and get personalized guidance, her Real Food for Gestational Diabetes Online Course is an excellent next step.
Conclusion: Your Healthy Pregnancy Journey Awaits
Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes can feel utterly overwhelming, but remember—you’re not alone in this. (Gestational diabetes is actually the most common pregnancy complication!) With the right knowledge and support, you can take control of your health and work toward a healthy pregnancy and beautiful birth experience.
If you’re looking for a natural way to manage gestational diabetes and nourish your body, I strongly recommend diving into Lily Nichols’ resources. Whether you start with her book or go for her online course, you’ll have the tools to make informed, confident decisions about your care.
Don’t let gestational diabetes define your pregnancy. You have the power to change your circumstances, and with the right support, you can set yourself up for a healthy, happy future for both you and your baby.
Until next time,
Allison
READ MORE:
Avoiding Preeclampsia: How To Do It and What You Need to Know
