8 Tips to Avoid Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes can be frightening. Below are 8 tips to avoid gestational diabetes!

Women typically get tested between 24-28 weeks gestation. But you can avoid gestational diabetes by knowing your risks and taking action steps to avoid these problems.

Evaluate Your Risk

According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Diabetes Association your risks include:

1. Over the age of 25
2. A body mass index (BMI) over 25
3. A family history of diabetes in a parent, sibling, or a child
4. A history of a baby born over 9 pounds
5. Ethic groups at highest risk include Pacific Islanders, Asians, Hispanic
   and certain Native American tribes.
6. A random blood sugar test over 200
7. A1C test equal to or greater than 5.7%
8. A history of Polycystic Ovary Disease
9. High triglycerides or a prescription to control triglycerides.

It is Proven that Gestational Diabetes can be Prevented

The American Diabetes Association has proven through the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) that lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the diagnosis of diabetes. It is believed that gestational diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle changes. Gestational diabetes is controlled by pregnancy hormones, so you need to make changes early in your pregnancy. As your pregnancy develops, it will become increasingly difficult to control your blood sugar because of your changing hormones. Learning how to eat for your body’s needs is essential.

8 Tips to Avoid Gestational Diabetes:

1. Eat 3 equally spaced meals each day
2. Limit snacks between meals. (once you start following the gestational meal plan you will have nutritionally balanced snacks between meals and one at bedtime.
3. Eat a balanced diet (limit sugar, fat, and salt)
4. Include fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible
5. Include whole grains
6. Limit saturated fats
7. Avoid sugary drinks and rich desserts
8. Learn to check labels for portion sizes (Do not eat for two – you need to control your weight gain during pregnancy!)

Making lifestyle changes is very difficult. It is said that it takes 3 months to change a habit. My eBook (coming soon!) will talk about ways to help make changes that will last.

I hope you enjoyed these 8 tips to avoid gestational diabetes! Together we can make a difference in your future.

Please keep an eye out for my eBook – coming soon!