by Ana - I'm Learning

Created on: January 15, 2009

During my recent pregnancy, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I learnt that this was something normal for a lot of women due to increase in certain hormones during the pregnancy period. But what came as a surprise to me is that most folks who have sugar problems can very easily bring it under control through their discipline and good food habits.

I had a session with the dietician who was very efficient in explaining the impact of food on increasing the diabetes level. She pointed out that I had two options either go on diet and follow food restrictions or take insulin shots and eat all I liked. Actually, the sessions helped to gain a lot of insight into how food habits lead to increased sugar levels and how right diet can help to keep it under control. Also, activities like walking, light exercise etc. all help to take the extra sugar off. Remember, extra sugar in the body is not good for health.

Let me list out the steps that helped me

Take control of yourself this is the foremost thing. It is all very well to have the right intentions and thoughts on controlling yourself. But until you take charge of yourself and get determined to do it, nothing is going to happen.
Follow a proper diet you should draw up a proper diet which has the right mix of carbohydrates, fat, protein etc. Also, be careful about what you eat. Even an innocuous food or drink can have a lot of sugar. You are advised to look at the Nutrition facts on the label to know all the key values. Things like green leafy vegetables, beans, etc. can be had in plentiful. However, milk and milk products are good in limited quantities only
Small but multiple meals Small servings but taken multiple times helps the body to keep sugar levels down. One should have something every 4-6 hours. Gaps beyond 8hrs lets sugar levels creep up
Follow an exercise regime brisk walking is the best exercise. It pumps up your heart and also burns a lot of sugar. If you can add swimming or jogging then it is even better. But don't over exert yourself. If you do that then you can get starved and then gorge yourself which will lead to the opposite effect
Avoid JUNK food this is a golden rule. Avoid all sorts of junk food as they are mostly high in sugar levels even things like canned juice has lot of sugar which can lead to increased sugar levels.

I am past my pregnancy and more than four months since my baby was born. It is time to take control of myself and restore my body to a more fitter and trim shape.

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