Gestational Diabetes Success!

I am lucky that my pregnancy has gone smoothly and the only major issue has been the diabetes. Don't get me wrong, I realize completely that this is not a huge deal. But I will admit I'm a bit of a sugar addict. In fact I come from a family of sugar addicts! The best way to describe my family's relationship to sugar is Christmas cookie decorating. First it starts out like a fun time actually decorating the cookies and setting them aside, but after just a few cookies it turns into more of a chips and salsa time. We just dip the cookies in the icing and eat them. In fact after my baby shower we had leftover cupcakes and I actually had one at each meal. It's bad.... We just love sugar! And of course you can imagine how many times we quote Elf, "We try to stick to the four main food groups, Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corns, and Syrup."

Anyways, so when I was told I had gestational diabetes and sugar was now a "no no" I did panic. Seriously I panicked. I was about seven months along and I had only cried two times before in my pregnancy, one time after having morning sickness all day, the second time I had gotten a different doctor who said some pretty awful things (I better not see her ever again...). But when I had to change my diet and cut out sugar I cried....a lot. I had no energy, I felt hungry all the time, I couldn't figure out what to eat without sugar in it. It was so discouraging. One day I ate a salad thinking that was the safest thing, yeah....I forgot that dressing has sugar and I spiked my blood sugar. It was so discouraging. But I am happy to say, I have figured it out!!! It's all about portions!! It has taken about a month, but I know how to balance my meals so that I can enjoy a roll with my dinner, or cheerios in the morning. This is definitely not a pleasant diet, but I'm not longer crying because I feel so hungry and I can't figure out what I'm allowed to eat. My dietitian said, "Now after you have the baby we do encourage you to stick with this diet because it's a really healthy lifestyle." I actually laughed out loud. No I will not be continuing this diet. I will definitely change the amount of sugar I eat every day and be more aware of my food choices, but I will definitely let myself enjoy a normal sized brownie every now and then!

I am so excited for my son to be born and cuddle him, but I'm also so excited to send my wonderful husband to go get me a fat piece of chocolate cake for me to enjoy! Some girls have a list of things to pack for the hospital, I have a list of foods I want to have after the baby gets here. Some people told me that this diet will end up totally changing me and I won't miss sugar by the end of it. FALSE. I definitely miss sugar, but I will change the amount of sugar I eat, and I'll try to reconsider getting fries with my burger.

Well to all the girls out there struggling to figure out gestational diabetes, good luck, I feel your pain!