If you've just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GD), you're probably overwhelmed with charts, carbs, finger pricks, and food rules. And while the medical advice is essential (we're not skipping that!), there's a whole other side to GD that no one really talks about — the emotional load, the day-to-day stress, the mental gymnastics of "what can I eat?"
So here’s a list of non-obvious essentials to help you stay grounded, informed, and actually okay during this journey. Because managing GD is about more than just numbers.
Staying hydrated is key for managing blood sugar — but sipping plain water from a boring bottle all day? That gets old fast. Why not make hydration something you actually look forward to?
Our Fun & Functional Favorites:
POWCAN 26 oz Insulated Water Bottle — keeps your drink cold for hours
Konokyo 30 oz Tumbler with Handle — affordable, available in tons of color combinations, and doubles as a travel coffee mug!
Stanley 30 oz IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw Tumbler with Handle — for Stanley fans, this one’s a winner: rugged, reliable, and stylish.
In My Mama Era 40 oz Cup — super cute and perfect as a gift!
Bonus: Infuser Bottles
Add a fresh twist to your water with fruit- or herb-infused ice cubes. We love the bright orange Zulay Fruit Infuser Water Bottle for a refreshing lemon-mint-cucumber combo — but feel free to mix up your own flavors!
We eat and drink with our eyes. Prep a batch of herb- or fruit-infused ice cubes to toss in sparkling or still water. It's refreshing, hydrating, and oddly satisfying.
Having a stash of portion-controlled snacks in joyful containers is a game-changer for managing gestational diabetes, making healthy snacking a breeze. And trust us—you’ll keep using these even when the baby is here, because you’ll be carrying snacks all the time!
Here are a couple of favorites to keep your snacks organized and balanced:
RGNEIN 4-Compartment Bento Box (4 pack) — perfect for portioning protein, fiber, and carbs
CSQLJ 3-Compartment Boxes (3 pack) — simple, sturdy, and travel-friendly
Bonus: Add a cute snack pouch labeled “Carb-Conscious, Confidence Packed” and you’re all set to snack smart wherever you go!
Who says your meter kit has to live in a boring black case?
Brighten up your daily routine with something cheerful and practical, like this cute Chenille Meds Bag or All My Diabetes Sh*t Bag for those days when a little humor goes a long way.
Because your tools deserve to be as vibrant and unique as you are.
Whether it’s timing post-meal walks, 1-hour or 2-hour blood sugar checks, or snack reminders, having a timer you actually enjoy using can make all the difference. We’re fans of the VOCOO Magnetic Digital Timer — it’s affordable, easy to use, and sticks right on your fridge or microwave. But really, choose whatever timer feels right for you!
A cute apron like "Low Carb, High Love" can make blood-sugar-friendly cooking feel less like a chore.
Why stop there? Add in a little extra joy with mugs, plates, or kitchen gear that make you smile while you measure and prep.
Start your morning (and your breakfast numbers) on the right note:
“Sippin’ and Steady”
“Fueled by Protein & Grit”
“One Test Strip at a Time”
There’s likely a message that speaks right to your heart!
Because how we plate our food matters (hello, carb balance!) — but so does how we feel about it. Try a visual reminder that supports both:
“Balance Over Perfection”
“Half Veg, Half Victory”
“Eat to Nourish, Not to Stress”
“Carbs Count, But So Do I”
You can even use sectioned plates to balance protein, fiber, and carbs! If you don’t have one yet, check out this Ceramic Portion Control Plate on Amazon — it has the cutest message ever 💛💛💛
Get your steps in (or any activity, to be honest) with a playlist that motivates you without pushing too hard. Curate your faves or search Spotify for "pregnancy-safe workout" or "feel-good walk."
Stress can throw your blood sugar off balance — sometimes more than you realize. Having a few calming tools within reach can make a big difference in those tense moments.
Here’s a mini kit to help you reset and relax, wherever you are:
Stress ball — Squeeze away tension and refocus your energy.
Lavender or peppermint essential oil roller — A quick scent boost to calm your mind and soothe nerves.
Pocket affirmation deck — Gentle reminders like “You’re doing your best, and that’s enough” to lift your spirits when stress creeps in.
Keeping track of your numbers is non-negotiable — but how you do it can make a huge difference.
Sure, you can jot it all down in a notebook. But a good tracking app can do more than store data. It can help you visualize patterns, sync readings automatically, and even log meals, stress, sleep, and movement — all of which affect blood sugar.
Here’s how some top options differ:
mySugr: Friendly interface, integrates with many meters, tracks meals + mood, and gives daily "scores" to gamify progress.
Glucose Buddy: More customizable, includes manual input or Bluetooth sync, and offers detailed charts. Also tracks food and medication.
Your meter’s companion app: Often the most seamless since it’s designed specifically for your meter — many meters come with their own app. This option usually offers automatic syncing and fewer steps, making tracking super easy.
Still that old-school type who loves pen and paper? You're not alone!
Instead of having messy printed sheets or scattered notes, consider something like My Little Book of Pricks Blood Sugar Log — it’s funny, cute, and functional, designed to help you track your blood sugar four times a day, all in one neat, cheerful place.
There will be days when you feel like crying over a "bad" reading after doing everything right. You’re allowed to feel that. It’s not your fault.
You can always turn to broader communities on Facebook or Reddit, where other mamas with gestational diabetes are also navigating the ups and downs. Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone makes all the difference.
But if you're looking for something more specifically tied to food and snacks — the everyday moments where most of us struggle — download the HIgedi app.
At the heart of HIgedi is food — because meals and snacks play a crucial role in managing blood sugar, and yet so many women are left guessing what works for their bodies. HIgedi is designed to offer practical inspiration, community support, and a space to share real-life meals and snacks for living well with gestational diabetes — without shame or overwhelm.
Because GD is hard. But you don’t have to do it alone.
When you’re navigating gestational diabetes, most pregnancy books barely scratch the surface — or skip it entirely. But Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols is different.
It’s evidence-based, practical, and genuinely reassuring — helping you understand the why behind food choices, and giving you the tools to feel more confident in your meals (not just restricted by them).
Quality sleep isn’t just good for your mood — it can directly affect your blood sugar levels, too. And let’s be honest: pregnancy doesn’t make restful nights easy.
Here are a few gentle tools that can make a real difference:
Blue light blocking glasses to wind down more naturally
Pregnancy pillows to ease the hip/back/belly balancing act
A sound machine (like the Hatch Restore) to create a calm, consistent bedtime ritual — and bonus: it’ll be incredibly helpful once the baby arrives, with both soothing sound options and a soft night light for late-night feeds or diaper changes
Lavender pillow spray or essential oil rollers for a little sensory calm
Some people also explore magnesium glycinate to help with sleep or restless legs — but always check with your provider before adding any supplements.
Because better sleep isn’t a luxury — it’s a quiet, powerful way to support your health (and sanity).
Alongside the fun and practical tools, there are some essential basics you can't skip when managing gestational diabetes. Here’s a quick rundown:
Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly: Keeping track helps you understand how your meals and snacks affect your numbers.
Follow a balanced gestational diabetes diet: Focus on meals with complex carbohydrate foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats to keep blood sugar steady and support a healthy pregnancy.
Avoid sugary foods, soft drinks, and fruit juice: These can cause spikes in blood glucose and make management harder.
Plan your meals and read food labels: Though it may feel overwhelming at first, these habits empower you to make healthy choices and keep your baby healthy.
With time, these basics become second nature, giving you confidence and control on your gestational diabetes journey.
Gestational diabetes can feel like a full-time job you never applied for — with a boss (your blood sugar) who changes the rules daily. But it’s not all test strips and food math. Sometimes it’s cute ice cubes. Or a water bottle you actually want to sip from. Or a playlist that gets you outside after lunch.
You deserve tools that help, comfort that’s real, and moments of joy in between the chaos.
Whether it’s a perfectly sectioned bento box or a mug that says “Fueled by Protein & Grit”, these little things aren’t just cute — they’re part of how we cope, adjust, and thrive.
So here’s your reminder: You’re doing amazing. One reading, one snack, one step at a time.
And if no one has told you today: we’re proud of you. 💛
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