The root cause of gestational diabetes is an underlying viral condition and a sluggish liver. Gestational diabetes occurs when you mix carbohydrates with bad fats.
“Bad fats” because these are fats that are hard on the liver to digest. They include dairy, eggs, high-fat meats, and unhealthy oils. If you are going to eat some of these items, consume fruit at least half an hour beforehand.
Good fats to focus on include avocado, coconut, nuts, and seeds—just remember not to overdo them!
High fat diets will worsen pregnancy related insulin and gestational diabetes. High fat foods include eggs, dairy, high fat meats and oils.
Fat blocks sugar absorbing into cells. Fat + sugar = insulin resistance.
Fat clogs the blood, keeps insulin from attaching to the sugar and then the sugar (glucose) from entering your cells so insulin has to be produced to try to somehow get the sugar to bypass the fat and enter the cells. This is why the blood sugar levels are spiking in pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes isn’t just about diet—it’s about the liver (and a lifetime of possible insult).
It’s also driven by hormonal shifts that affect how the body uses insulin, liver sluggishness or viral debris interfering with proper glucose handling.
Even women who eat very clean can develop it, so testing helps catch any imbalances early, so Mothers can get a handle on things before further interventions are needed.
Why test at all?
Gestational diabetes doesn’t always cause symptoms but it can increase risks like baby growing too large (macrosomia), traumatic birth or interventions, blood sugar issue after birth and in rare cases, stillbirth.
Testing is important but how you test matters too.
As I said gestational diabetes is not just about diet, it’s about your liver health so working on improving your liver health through nutrition throughout pregnancy is really important to both help blood sugar balance and also adrenal strength that is needed for birth.
Your adrenal strength is key to helping you have a successful birth.
This will help you avoid fatigue and blood sugar imbalance/insulin resistance and pre-diabetes in postpartum. Also for your baby to grow, especially for brain development they need high amounts of glucose, so your blood sugar balance as a Mother is really important.
If you want support navigating safer testing, nutrition to balance blood sugars, guidance for nutrition for gestational diabetes and pregnancy support that aligns with your values of holistic health, Purify is my 6 week programme for women in preconception, pregnancy and postpartum to support your health holistically.
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