6 Sweet Snacks Safe For Gestational Diabetes

You listened to me complain about my overwhelming pregnancy fatigue.

Then you came along as I survived the 3-hour glucose tolerance test.

Is it any surprise that managing gestational diabetes is harder than I hoped?

I’m testing my blood sugar, taking oral Glyburide, and following an ADA meal plan.

But what I really want to know is: 

• What can I eat that tastes sweet?
• What snacks are okay for gestational diabetes?

Here’s The Good News…

When you stop eating processed foods and sugary carbs, you are more able to taste the sugar in natural foods.

Yay! Who knew fresh steamed green beans were so sweet?

In that sense, gestational diabetes has reawakened my taste buds.

But there are still those moments when the old sugar addiction is just plain hard to beat.

Safe Snacks For Gestational Diabetes

Following are 6 sweet snacks that are safe for pregnant women with gestational diabetes:

(At least I’m eating them without any significant rise in my blood sugar.)

#1 – NATURAL UNSALTED ALMONDS

You can eat 23 nuts for 5 grams of carbs, with healthy fats and a sweet crunch inside.

#2 – PLAIN YOGURT WITH STEVIA

1 cup of plain yogurt tastes great with 1 packet Stevia natural sweetener and 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract.

You get a fraction of the carbs of regular yogurt, without any of the Nutrasweet or corn syrup.

#3 – FRUIT FLAVORED WATERS

There’s no caffeine, no carbs, but a great fruity taste — with or without carbonation.

Most do contain Splenda, so drink in moderation.

#4 – SUGAR FREE GUM

Have you seen the cool new flavors by Orbit lately?

I can’t tolerate many sugar-free candies, but I can handle a stick of gum without any intestinal distress.

#5 – SWEET PICKLES

Not the real thing, but sugar-free gherkins have a nice tangy flavor (thanks to Splenda).  Mt. Olive sells them in individual serving size cups.

Even the Kosher dills are great to crunch.  Something about the strong vinegar flavor quells the appetite faster than most snack foods.

#6 – LOW CARB VEGETABLES

You can snack anytime on low-carb vegetables like sliced cucumber, celery, artichoke hearts and asparagus.

Though they won’t get rid of the sugar craving, they will give you something to munch on.

What About Sugar Free Foods?

You may be wondering if you should indulge in sugar-free foods while pregnant with gestational diabetes.

The answer is only in moderation!

Some people think that sugar-free foods, while not raising your blood sugar, do create a psychological thirst for sweets afterward.

If you find yourself craving sugar after drinking a fruit water, you might need to go cold turkey.

Also, a warning from someone who’s been there:  You may be sensitive to sugar-free foods which are sweetened with sugar alcohols! Most ice creams and candies use malitol and xylitol as primary sweeteners — even if they have the Splenda symbol on the package.  Eat too much (for me, any at all!) and you’ll be spending an hour in the bathroom later.