Thirty-two weeks pregnant with the giant Irish baby and I am all about the snacks! Passing the gestational diabetes test a few weeks ago was a sweet relief, as I’ve always loved carbs, but I have loved carbs lately.

Whether I just got lucky or whether understanding glycemic load has contributed to blood sugar management, who knows? With preventive health, it’s hard to prove what you have prevented.

But regardless, taking steps to balance out carb cravings with protein and fibre is a sensible strategy.

I wish children were taught more about carb management at school. I feel like it’s a “life basic” that everyone needs to know and it’s so helpful for preventing chronic disease long term. It’s so simple!

Step 1: Do your best to avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, white rice, sugar, regular baked products, cookies, candy, juices and sweet drinks.

Step 2: Choose better carbs ― these are the ones that contain fibre. Fibre slows down sugar release meaning better, more steady energy and less pressure on the insulin response.

Examples of “better” carbs include whole fruit, wholegrain crackers, raw carrots, beans/lentils and baked products made with high fibre ingredients such as the Holy Crap Cookies at Harry’s Café in Miles. (I’ll also post the recipe on social media.)

Step 3: When you consume these better carbs, have them in the right portion size and combine them with protein. At meal time, a carb portion should fill about one quarter of your plate.

As a snack, the carb portion should generally be what you could cup in one hand. Adding protein is easy. At mealtime, include any animal protein or vegan proteins such as edamame, tofu or nuts/seeds.

At snack time, if you have fruit, add nuts/seeds for protein. If you have wholegrain crackers, add humus. It’s easy!

When it comes to adding protein to carbs at snack time, there’s also a great outlier to consider ― the mighty avocado.

Avocado is low in protein but includes good fats and a type of very slow releasing sugar that has a similar effect when it comes to steadying blood sugar.

This means that wholegrain crackers and guacamole is also a good option (of simply mash avo with lemon, salt and pepper.)

You can take the health benefits of this concept even further though! While crackers and guacamole is perfectly acceptable as a snack, if you switch your “beige” carb (e.g. crackers) for a colourful carb (e.g. fruit) then you get all the energy and fibre with an additional dose of antioxidants too.

Antioxidants are amazing for boosting your immune system and preventing premature aging, so they are worth maximizing in your diet.

My favourite way to have a blood sugar balancing, antioxidant rich snack lately ― in fact the whole way through this pregnancy ― has been the amazing combo of avocado and watermelon.

Doing this is really simple, just follow the basic steps in the recipe below.

The balsamic glaze is such a great accent that adds lovely acidity to the smooth flavours of watermelon and avocado.

If you are reluctant to try it at home, pop into Harry’s as this concept is an appetizer on our Nutrifit menu. Time is of the essence though ― we’re about to switch the menu up ― so try it before it goes!

Watermelon & Avocado snack bowl

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

1 cup watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes

½ an avocado, diced

Balsamic glaze

Sea salt and black pepper

Method:

Pop the watermelon and avocado in a bowl, drizzle with the glaze and season with a touch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. That’s it ― so easy!

• The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION, BNTA is a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in Britain. Join Catherine on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nutrifitandnaturalnutritionbermuda or instagram @naturalbda