Hey! I'm Traci, the face behind The Gestational Diabetic. I strive to provide moms with gestational diabetes the answers and recipes I wish were available when I went through it.
How I Got Here
At 18 years old I joined the Air Force to pay for school and travel the world. Boy did I do both! From Arizona, to Italy, to Spain, then Japan, I was privileged to live in BEAUTIFUL places and see many more. Then, one day I had an an epiphany that food was my passion. I soon separated from the military and enrolled in culinary school.
Long story short, I became pregnant in school and accelerated my classes to finish before my due date. In my second trimester, while in baking class, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Of course, I had no clue what it was or what to do about it. My doctor was no help (not going to sugarcoat it). The dietitian restricted me to what seemed like baby portions. My mind and emotions were a mess!
It's all water under the bridge now, but boy was I frustrated and let down! Fast forward to two years later, I had back-to-back pregnancies that produced a girl and boy (no GD the second pregnancy). While considering what career path to pursue (because so much changed after the babies) I decided to help other moms who feel hopeless like I did.
Back then, no one was helping. Today, there are a good amount of influencers and moms posting their food log pictures. I craft recipes, but more importantly I answer the questions we all have in diagnosis and provide helpful resources! Because when we're educated, we're confident, empowered, and free to choose!
What You'll Find at The Gestational Diabetic
- Answers to the questions we all have during diagnosis.
- Flavorful low carb, low glycemic, low sugar recipes to help manage blood sugar.
- Evidence-based information with sources always linked - diabetes, nutrition, foods, glycemic index
- Low carb fast food and restaurant guides
- Resources like a blood sugar log, meal plans, tips, and more!
Some of My Favorite Recipes
A Little More About Me
I'm a total goof and I'm instantly won over with any "The Office" reference. Seeing others succeed feeds my soul like nothing else and I will always cheer anyone aspiring to reach goals for self-fulfillment. <3
Life is way too hard to do it alone! Helping others and nurturing relationships is how I excel at life.
If you share any of these interests I would love to connect with you! Send me an email at thegestationaldiabetic<at>gmail<dot>com or DM me on Instagram.
Education
- (Currently) Masters in Applied Nutrition & Dietetics Student - Union Institute and University
- Certificate in Culinary Arts - The Art Institute of Dallas
- Gestational Diabetes & Prenatal Nutrition - Women's Health Nutrition Academy
- Bachelor's in Health Administration - Hodges University
Certification
- Certified Food Handling Manager (commercial food safety) - ServSafe
Published Works
- BFF with the Chef (interview)
- (Collaboration) The Gestational Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan
- The Gestational Diabetic Podcast (on every audible platform)
- Also published in:
Popular FAQ I get asked
There are a few evidence-based "hacks" to try if your fasting glucose is problematic. Magnesium supplements have been successful, as well as vitamin D, and apple cider vinegar. I summarized 15 natural therapies (with their studies linked) that help lower blood sugars, and many of them are directed towards fasting glucose.
Good bedtime snacks are well-balanced in carbs, protein, and fat. Dairy milk is a good example. One glass has 8 grams of protein and fat, and 11 carbs. Ideally, the snack will have fiber and magnesium too. Ideas are nuts with dark chocolate, dairy milk, protein shakes, half of a chicken salad sandwich, leftovers, etc.
Nut butter on toast, nuts with dark chocolate, chicken salad with crackers, open-faced egg salad sandwich, veggies with hummus, leftovers, low carb wraps with meat and veggies.
Low carb milks, sparkling waters, low sugar smoothies, protein shakes, sugar-free powdered flavorings you add to water, coffee, tea, diet soda, or other sugar-free beverages.
High-fat foods (fried foods)
Instant products (1-3 minute microwaveables like ramen, rice, pouch potatoes, etc.)
Juices
Dried fruit
White products (flour, tortillas, pasta, rice, cake, etc.)
Hydrogenated oil (store-baked goods, shortening, lard, nut butters, refrigerated dough like biscuits and rolls, fried foods, non-dairy coffee creamer, margarine, etc.). Check ingredient labels for "hydrogenated."
These foods can easily spike sugars, or they'll worsen insulin resistance. Buy their fresh or brown counterparts.
It's okay to try any food you like to see how it affects your blood sugar. Just remember to pair carbs with protein, fat and fiber!
A more in-depth look at my diagnosis
This is what I originally wrote. It was condensed at the top of this page but I feel it's important to keep this exactly as it was written so I can remember that time, and maybe you can find comfort in shared feelings.
In my last semester of culinary, I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes. And guess what - I was in baking class; the class I was most excited about! Even worse, it was first thing in the morning! It was a super stressful time in my life, for multiple reasons, then GD got added to the mix.
The diagnosis dropped like a bomb. The concern for her health was a hovering storm cloud, and trying to fathom a lifestyle change at that point was beyond overwhelming.
I had to wait almost 2 weeks to see a dietitian, and I had no guidance in the meantime. When my appointment finally came, it was disappointing. I left discouraged and confused and went home to google more about GD and the diet. To my surprise, there was very little information. All of the sites had the same canned, generic information, and none of them provided guidance. Talk about feeling feeling defeated!
Fast Forward
Fast forward two years, after delivering a healthy baby, and another 13 months later (without a gestational diabetes diagnosis), it occurred to me that other moms go through the exact circumstances I faced.
Those feelings of wanting to provide for and protect baby, but feeling overwhelmed and defeated are emotions that probably every gestational diabetic mother goes through. So, I created The Gestational Diabetic to serve the community.
It started as an idea for a cookbook and very quickly morphed into a brand that is determined to establish familiarity and trust, address pain points and relieve stress.