Certified Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Expert
Just diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes? I’ve got you.
Practical food guidance and personalized blood sugar support for the overwhelming days after a gestational diabetes diagnosis, and every step that comes next.
Sam Ivey, MNT, YTT‑200
Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Therapist
Food and lifestyle first
Support between appointments
Collaborative care
start here
Gestational Diabetes isn’t something you caused
If you're replaying what you ate, wondering what you could have done differently, or feeling overwhelmed by your diagnosis, you're not alone.
Gestational diabetes happens when pregnancy hormones make it harder for insulin to regulate your blood sugar. It is not a sign that you failed your baby, ate too much sugar, or weren’t healthy enough before pregnancy.
And when you hear the word “diabetes,” it’s easy to assume you now have to cut out carbs, fruit, bread, and everything you enjoy.
That’s not how this works.
Your body and your growing baby still need carbohydrates during pregnancy. The goal is to understand the type, timing, portion, and pairing of those carbs so your meals work with your blood sugar instead of against it.
This is where we start.
FREE GUIDE
The Gestational Diabetes Starter Guide: 3 foundational steps to begin with today
Between the diagnosis, the handouts, the online advice, and the 2 a.m. Google spiral, it’s easy to feel like you need to change everything at once.
You don’t.
Start with three simple foundations you can use at your next meal to feel less overwhelmed and more in control, right from day one.
Meet Sam
Your Gestational Diabetes nutrition therapist in Denver
Hi, I’m Sam Ivey, a Certified Master Nutrition Therapist specializing in gestational diabetes, and I understand this journey from both sides.
I’ve managed blood sugar imbalances for more than a decade. I’ve been pregnant. I’ve done finger sticks. I’ve worn a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). And I know what it feels like to do so many things “right” and still see a number that sends your mind spinning.
I also spent years coaching women with gestational diabetes, helping them make sense of their food, their numbers, and the lifestyle pieces their doctor’s office didn’t always have time to explain.
Then I became a mom.
I welcomed my first baby girl, Eloise, in June 2025, and that made this work personal in a whole new way. I know how deeply you want to protect you and your baby. I also know you don’t need more fear, restriction, or vague advice.
You need a clear plan built for you. You need steady support. And you need someone who can look at what’s actually happening in your body and help you figure out what to do next.
That’s the heart of my work: calm, practical, and personal gestational diabetes support so you can feel less alone and more confident about what comes next.
Why It Works
How is this different from generic GD advice?
More than carb counts
Most gestational diabetes advice starts with a basic carb target and a list of foods to avoid. That can be a starting point, but it is not the whole picture. Not everyone tolerates the same carb load. I look at how your body responds to those carbs and your meals, your schedule, your movement, your sleep, your stress, and your fasting numbers.
Because no two women with GD respond exactly the same way.
Support between appointments
Gestational diabetes does not wait politely for your next OB visit. You may have a confusing fasting number, a restaurant meal, a baby shower, a snack that spiked you, or a food you’re scared to eat again.
I help you troubleshoot in real life, not just during appointments.
Food and lifestyle first, with collaborative care
My role is nutrition, lifestyle strategies, blood sugar education, and practical support. Your OB, midwife, or medical provider handles medication and medical decisions. I work alongside your care team, not in place of them. If insulin or medication becomes part of your plan, we keep going.
Nutrition still matters. Your habits still matter. And you still deserve support.
GETTING STARTED
How to get started working with me
01
Book your consultation call
We’ll talk through your diagnosis and what’s feeling hardest right now. This call is where we figure out your next step.
02
Get your personalized plan
Together, we’ll map out a realistic plan based on your blood sugar, lifestyle, and pregnancy, so you know exactly what to focus on first.
03
Feel confident at every meal
You’ll know what to eat, how to read your numbers, and that you’re not doing this alone.
EXPLORE MY SERVICES
Your Gestational Diabetes Roadmap
What if support didn’t stop after one appointment?
Your Gestational Diabetes Roadmap is personalized support from diagnosis through delivery, with a postpartum check-in included because your health still matters after your baby arrives.
We start with focused sessions, then continue regular check-ins through delivery, with direct chat access in between. We cover food, movement, stress, and sleep. And because no two women respond the same, we figure out what works for your body, your schedule, and your life.
This is not a generic meal plan.
It is a clear, practical roadmap built around your body, your numbers, your preferences, and your life.
Personalized 1:1 Support
Regular check-ins through delivery, with direct chat access in between.
Kind Words
Support that every Mom remembers
"Sam was such an incredible resource for me in my pregnancy journey and postpartum prep. She built a customized plan to my health goals that included specific recipes, meal plans, vitamin support, and more. I know her plan supported my postpartum transition to be so much smoother. I would recommend her to any first-time mother looking to prep her body pre- and post-birth!"
Supplements
Practitioner-grade supplements I trust
I only recommend supplements I’d use myself.
Through my Fullscript Dispensary, you can browse third-party-tested options from trusted brands and receive discounted pricing.
A gentle reminder: always check with your care team before starting anything new during pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes (GD) is a form of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. It happens when your body can't produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands of pregnancy. It's not your fault, and it's not caused by eating too much sugar. With the right nutrition and lifestyle shifts, most women manage it well and go on to deliver healthy babies.
Do I need a GD diagnosis to work with you?
No. If you failed your one-hour glucose test and are waiting on results, have risk factors, or just want proactive nutrition support through pregnancy and postpartum, you're a great fit. Earlier support means more time to build habits that actually stick.
I also am happy to work with you on general pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, no GD diagnosis necessary!
What does working with you actually look like?
We work together 1:1 virtually through your personalized GD Roadmap program. It starts at diagnosis, and I support you beyond delivery, with a postpartum session built in to check in on you. You'll get personalized nutrition guidance and recipes, practical meal tools, and direct support through Practice Better. No cookie-cutter meal plans or crazy restrictions. Just a clear, doable approach built around your numbers and your life.
Can you help me avoid medication?
I can never guarantee that. For some women, nutrition and lifestyle shifts alone are enough to keep blood sugar in range. For others, medication is needed, and that's okay. What I can tell you is that nutrition matters whether you're on medication or not, and these habits will stick with you long after pregnancy. In fact, once insulin is added, what and when you eat becomes even more important.
Have more questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page here: