Fun Facts: November 2024


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Fun Facts: November 2024

Wellness Wisdom: Activities for Building Happy, Healthy Families

November is National Diabetes month. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy in women who didn’t have it before. This type occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin during your pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body to be used as energy. During pregnancy your body goes through changes that can cause insulin to be used less effectively, which leads to insulin resistance. This increases your body’s needs for insulin. 

Gestational diabetes can affect both you and your baby.

Your Baby is at a higher risk of

  • Being very large, which can lead to difficult delivery
  • Being born early
  • Be more likely to become overweight during childhood

You are at a higher risk of

  • Having a more difficult delivery
  • Needing a C-section
  • Preeclampsia
  • Developing Type 2 diabetes after delivery

Luckily, gestational diabetes can be treated and controlled! It is important to keep your blood sugars under control. Here are some ways to do that:

  • See your doctor regularly
  • Eat healthy foods and stay active
    • Work with a dietitian to learn what to eat to keep your blood sugars under control
    • Exercise regularly before, during, and after pregnancy. A brisk walk, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week can be a good goal if your doctor approves it.
  • Take your medications if you have any
  • Monitor your blood sugar
    • Things like exercise, food, and your growing baby can change your blood sugar often.

Usually, your blood sugars will return to normal after birth, but since gestational diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, it is important to get tested after pregnancy too. It is recommended to get tested 6 to 12 weeks after the baby is born and then every 1 to 3 years.

Sources: Gestational Diabetes | CDC.

Breastfed From the Start: Helpful Tips for Mastering Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can be important for families with diabetes. If you had diabetes while you were pregnant, your baby may be at a greater risk of developing diabetes early in life. Breastfeeding can help lower the risk of developing diabetes for your baby and benefit you too! Benefits for you can be having lower blood sugar levels and maybe help losing weight. However, some women with diabetes notice that it takes longer for their mature milk to come in. This is normal and expected!

Breastfeeding can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes because it helps your body process glucose and insulin better. The longer you breastfeed your baby, the more it can reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Medications like metformin and insulin are safe to take while breastfeeding but check with your doctor first. Your dose might need to be adjusted after pregnancy and during breastfeeding, as bloods levels can drop during breastfeeding.

Here are some breastfeeding tips for mothers with diabetes from the American Diabetes Association.

  1. Breastfeed as soon as you can after delivery
  2. Get lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby and nurse several times a day
  3. Stay relaxed, and be patient while your milk matures
  4. Have a snack before or during nursing. Keep something nearby to raise your blood sugar quickly if needed.
  5. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated
  6. Check your blood sugar levels each time before and after nursing.

Sources: Diabetes and Breastfeeding | ADA

Delicious & Nutritious Recipes: Simple, Kid Approved Dishes to Try at Home

Vegetable Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients

  • 1 Large onion, peeled and chopped (WIC)
  • 1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped (WIC)
  • 1 large zucchini, chopped (WIC)
  • 1 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
  • 2/3 cup shredded reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese (WIC)
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3/4 cup red enchilada sauce
  • 16 ounces canned tomato sauce, no salt
  • 8 corn tortillas—6 inch (WIC)

Directions

  1. Wash prep area, your hands, and all fresh vegetables. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Chop onion, bell pepper, and zucchini. Chop cooked chicken breast.
  3. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Sauté onion for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add bell pepper and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in chicken. Set aside.
  4. Meanwhile, combine enchilada sauce and tomato sauce in a small bowl. Add 1/5 of mixture to vegetable and chicken mixture.
  5. Soften tortillas on stovetop or in microwave. Dip each tortilla in sauce. Place equal amounts of vegetable and chicken mixture on one side of each tortilla. Roll up and place in baking pan. Pour any remaining sauce over the top.
  6. Cover loosely with foil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove cover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 5 minutes more. Serve while hot.