How I managed my blood sugar levels during pregnancy

My family has a history of diabetes, so when I got pregnant, I knew I was at risk of developing gestational diabetes.

During my first pregnancy, a quick oral glucose challenge test showed my blood sugar level was slightly high, so I was advised to do a more extensive oral glucose tolerance test. The second test was fine, so I didn’t have to inject insulin during my pregnancy.

For my second pregnancy, I didn’t want to go through this again. So I worked out some ways to proactively help me control my blood sugar levels and still feel energetic throughout my pregnancy.

Here are the tips and tricks I used to help me keep my glucose curve flat and my energy levels stable while pregnant:

Eat wholesome food

One common misconception is that pregnant women need to eat all the time – This would be hard to handle as a diabetic.

Thankfully, after going through 2 pregnancies as a diabetic, I can confirm that eating well is more important than eating more.

Throughout my pregnancy, I tried to eat wholesome foods (e.g. vegetables, fruits, rice, dal, eggs, etc.). I completely avoided processed foods such as breads, biscuits, croissants, cakes, etc.

My breakfast consisted of eggs, hummus, poha made in ghee with vegetables, dry fruits, dosa with coconut chutney, or idli, and a cup of green tea.

Similarly, for lunch, I had a variety of vegetables with dal or rice, chole, rajma, or any other plant-based protein.

And for dinner, I tried to keep it light and had soups made from vegetables, coconut milk, bone broths, etc.

These wholesome meals kept me full and satisfied, without the need to snack between meals. They also helped keep my glucose levels stable throughout the day, so I didn’t feel low on energy, even in the evenings.

Keep moving

When it comes to controlling blood sugar levels, movement is key. So I made it a point to move after every meal.

Before doing this, I’d have very low energy levels after meals. However, once I started building after-meal movement into my routine, moving for at least 10 minutes after every meal, my energy levels improved and I stopped experiencing extreme tiredness.

Sometimes I couldn’t go out for a walk after a meal, so I would simply vacuum the house and do other household chores – That would be enough.

Practice grounding and get sun exposure

In my opinion, practising grounding and getting sun exposure is very underrated.

Every day during my pregnancy, I tried to have breakfast in the sun. While eating I could feel my body absorbing the sun’s energy and the difference that made.

And after breakfast I walked barefoot on the soil, practising conscious breathing. This helped me feel more grounded and energised and helped me sail through the rest of my day.

By taking that time, and being conscious about breathing, the sun, nature, and the ground, I lowered my stress levels. And being less stressed helped keep my blood sugar levels stable.

Regularly do yoga and meditate

I swear by yoga for all manner of benefits. When I was pregnant was no exception, and I practised regularly during my second pregnancy.

I also tried to follow a more wholesome practice, including pranayama (mindful breathing) and meditation.

Again, this helped reduce my stress and boost my energy levels, which helped my glucose level management.

Get a good night’s sleep

Nothing beats the benefits of a good night’s sleep – This has been my mantra throughout my entire life.

And during my second pregnancy, when I was exhausted from looking after a toddler at home, I followed it religiously. To help with this, I:

• lowered the lights at home in the evening once it was dark outside, increasing my melatonin levels.
• stayed away from screens after 7pm.
• tried to put my toddler to bed by 8.30pm.

Most days, I read a book before falling asleep. And on days I felt anxious, I tried to meditate for a few minutes before going to bed – This relaxed my nerves, and helped me feel more rested when I woke up in the morning.

Final thoughts

Thanks to following these practices, when I took my oral glucose challenge test for my second pregnancy, my results were perfect.

When pregnant, I believe consistency is key. It might feel overwhelming at first, but if you build these healthy practices into your routine, and you get into the rhythm of things, you feel more energised and it becomes easier – Your body won’t experience glucose crashes, and you’ll have a safe pregnancy.