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Home › Articles › Eating For Two › Diabetes Is Not So Sweet

Diabetes Is Not So Sweet

Diabetes During Pregnancy

By Crystal Patriarche

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Benson says the diet was hard to get used to and radically different from being able to eat what she wanted, when she wanted. "I felt like I was always watching the clock," she says. "Between the diet and blood sugar testing, I was always looking at my watch to see if I was supposed to be eating or testing. You can imagine while working full-time, commuting and having a family and social life, it was a big adjustment to be constantly thinking about when it was time to eat or if it was time to test my blood sugar level. It was definitely an interruption I wasn't used to."

The recommended diet includes more ways to control blood sugar than just cutting sugar. It is true that avoiding sugar and sweet foods is needed, but also eating at regular times – three smaller meals and two to three snacks should be eaten every day – can greatly reduce blood sugar levels. Skipping or delaying meals is not recommended.

Too much weight gain can also cause blood sugar to rise, so limiting fat and watching portion sizes play a key role in maintaining a good weight. Ideally, gaining 25 to 30 pounds is considered good for a healthy pregnancy.

"Having developed diabetes while pregnant seemed bad to me at first, but for me it really was a good thing," Benson says. "It made me make healthy changes in my life that I have continued even after pregnancy. Because of the diet, I gained only 15 pounds my entire pregnancy and now after giving birth, I weigh 18 pounds less than before I got pregnant. I have continued eating healthier and exercising. It will not only help me stay in shape, but decrease my chances for developing diabetes later in life."

Steps to Controlling High Blood Sugar
  • Avoid sugars and sweet foods like cookies, cakes, pies, candy, ice cream, fruit juices, etc.
  • Eat at regular times. Three small meals and two or three snacks per day is recommended. Do not skip or delay meals.
  • Increase fiber intake. Eating high fiber foods can reduce the rate at which blood sugar rises. This can also help avoid constipation, which is common in pregnancy.
  • Monitor weight gain. Try to gain a moderate amount by eating nutritious foods. Limit sweets, fats and portion sizes.
  • Exercise. Daily exercise helps control blood sugar levels and prevent too much weight gain. Walking briskly for 30 minutes a day is a good exercise for pregnant women.

Sugar-free Pudding Puffs

Try this delicious sugar-free, low-fat recipe.

1 package sugar-free, fat-free instant chocolate pudding
1/2 carton light whipped topping
Frozen pastry shells

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Chill. Once pudding is firm, stir in half a carton of light whipped topping. Fill frozen shells with a spoonful of pudding mixture. Refrigerate until pastry is thawed. Top each with a dollop of whipped topping before serving.


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