Part One: The simple formula for eating carbohydrates

Unlike this pregnancy, I really don't remember how I planned out what to eat with my fourth baby, which is the first pregnancy I was officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Leaning on a basic understanding of nutrition and avoiding junk food was my main strategy, and I definitely didn't have the help of diabetic specialists, including nursing nor nutritionists. (Maybe they were offered, but I was too arrogant or busy or whatever to go hunt them down.)

And my numbers sometimes soared high, and I couldn't figure out exactly why, but overall I did increase my simple proteins, veggies, etc., cut down the crap, and that baby weighed in less than the one before him (9 lbs versus 10 lbs 9 oz).

So I thought I had it down.

I'd seen results, so how much more was there to learn? The fact that my old doctor who I moved back to was in a facility with these other resources, and I was told, not suggested, to go to them, almost irritated me at first.

But being 36-years-old, I thought, you know, who knows, maybe I will learn something. If I've learned anything as a currently gestating mother of five (one yet to be born) is that guidelines and resources change over time.

So, I went and visited with both a diabetic nurse and a nutritionist--keeping an open mind.

And they both blew said mind right open.

With Baby #4, I really do NOT think anybody told me the need to count carbohydrates in all foods (or the few exceptions--like plain non-starchy veggies, clean protein and plain nuts). 

And I definitely don't remember anybody telling me to look for carb servings and how much in grams each serving would have to count as a serving.

So, thanks to Baby #5 (due August 2, 2018) let me tell you, straight from my Registered Dietician Nutritionist (who uses the booklet, "Choose Your Foods: Foods Lists for Diabetes,") what eating as a diabetic looks like and what it doesn't...and how to know if you're on the right track.

My RDN taught me:
Three Meals a Day, evenly spaced --> Up to 3 Carbohydrate Choices Per Meal --> Each Carbohydrate Choice = 15 grams of carbohydrates

Snacks, as needed to keep blood sugars evened out --> 1 or 2 Carb Choices --> Each Carb Choice still equals 15 grams of carbohydrates

That's it for the formula.

I will go on to the how's and what's and if's and stuff later, based on my own trial and error, and we will talk about finger pricks and tracking your numbers and what the other guidelines for Gestational Diabetes are, but first, memorize the formula.

Note: This isn't a diet, and it's not anti-carb. It is a plan for eating carbohydrates. Check a nutrition label...and mostly ignore calories, fats, sugars, etc. Just count the carbohydrates. It really is super simple. My blood sugar numbers are far better than last time around, and I'm eating better and with far more confidence. I'm also not as hungry, because food isn't scary anymore, nor do I make stupid binge choices.

Have you tried this before or starting now? Leave a comment!