Keep Mom And Baby Healthy With A Proper Gestational Diabetes Diet

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Keep Mom And Baby Healthy With A Proper Gestational Diabetes Diet


A good and nutritious diet is important in all pregnancies. However, if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, following a proper eating guide is essential. High levels of sugar in your blood can be harmful to both the mother and the growing fetus. Maintaining a proper gestational diabetes diet is one way to help control the amount of sugar in your blood.

Part of controlling diabetes during pregnancy includes eating the proper foods and the right amount of servings. Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats should all be monitored. It is important to eat a variety of different foods and try to spread your carbs and calories throughout the day in smaller servings rather than consuming them in fewer larger meals. It is best to consume three smaller meals and then two to four snacks each day.

In order to keep your sugar levels stable and prevent highs and lows, it is very critical not to skip meals. Breakfast is very important considering your levels may be off in the mornings due to the lack of food during the night. In some cases, women find that they need to cut back on their carbohydrates in the morning hours. This means limiting cereals, breads, and even fruits. Eating a snack later in the evening may help prevent your sugar from dropping too low during the night. Try adding more protein in the mornings by having eggs, ham, and other meats.



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In many cases, it is also suggested that sweets and foods high in sugar be limited or avoided altogether. Be cautious about drinking soft drinks and having desserts and candy bars.

An appropriate daily meal plan for a woman with gestational diabetes may consist of a hard boiled egg, a slice of whole wheat bread, 1/3 pound of grapes, and a cup of skim milk for breakfast. A good morning snack would be a half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with milk to drink. For lunch have a cheese, tomato, and black bean pita and again a cup of milk. For afternoon snack, enjoy an apple with peanut butter. Grilled chicken, rice, pineapple, and beans are a well-rounded dinner. Have strawberries for dessert.

Along with keeping up with meal totals based on carbohydrates, you can also enjoy some free foods along the way. Free foods are foods that have less than 20 calories. These foods do not have to tally in with your totals for the meals.

Free foods include raw veggies of celery, cucumbers, pepper, radishes, lettuce, and spinach. Free drinks are club soda, water, and low sodium broths. You can also add condiments such as ketchup, low fat mayo, mustard, and salsa without counting carbs or calories.

Being a person with diabetes and eating healthy are two factors that nearly always go hand in hand. However, when a developing fetus is also in the equation, the importance of proper nutrition becomes even more intense and essential. Planning and consuming a proper gestational diabetes diet should take top priority anytime that you are shopping or selecting your meals.

Beverly Mullin is Dietitian and Health Coach, she has done Masters Degree in Public Health. She is providing information of diabetes foods for a person who is suffering from diabetes.