WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is a gestational diabetes diet? A gestational diabetes diet is a meal plan that helps control your blood sugar levels throughout your pregnancy. Too much carbohydrate in one meal or snack can cause your blood sugar to rise to a very high level. High blood sugar levels throughout your pregnancy can cause your baby to gain too much weight and lead to other health problems. A healthy meal plan will help you keep your blood sugar within the recommended range. Which meal plan is right for me? Carbohydrate counting and diabetes exchanges are meal planning methods that can help you control your blood sugar. Your dietitian or healthcare provider will tell you the amount of calories, carbohydrate, and other nutrients you need each day. She can also help you find the meal plan that meets your nutrient needs and that works best for you. What are some general guidelines I should follow? Your healthcare provider may recommend the following: - Spread carbohydrates throughout the day by eating 3 small to medium-sized meals plus 2 to 4 snacks. You may need to eat a snack in the evening to avoid low blood sugar during the night. Eat the same amount of carbohydrate during meals and snacks each day.
- Eat fewer servings of carbohydrate at breakfast than at other meals. Your blood sugar level tends to be higher in the morning. Eat fewer servings of carbohydrate to keep your blood sugar level from increasing even more.
- Do not skip meals or cut out carbohydrates to try and control your blood sugar. Your blood sugar can fall to a low level and cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Which foods contain carbohydrates? Your healthcare provider or dietitian will tell you how many servings of carbohydrates you can have during each meal and snack. One serving of the foods below contain about 15 grams of carbohydrate. - Breads, cereals, and crackers:
- 1 slice of bread, 1 6-inch tortilla, or ¼ of a large bagel
- ½ cup of oatmeal
- ½ hamburger, hot dog bun, or English muffin
- 2 taco shells (5-inch size)
- 4 to 6 small crackers or ¾ of an ounce of pretzels or potato chips
- Pasta, rice, starchy vegetables, and beans:
- ⅓ cup of cooked pasta or rice
- ½ cup of casserole
- ½ cup of pinto beans, black beans, or split peas
- ½ cup of corn, green peas, potatoes, or winter squash
- ¼ of a large baked potato
- Fruit:
- 1 small fresh fruit such as an apple, orange, or peach
- ½ cup of unsweetened fruit juice, canned fruit, or frozen fruit
- 2 tablespoons of dried fruit
- Milk and yogurt:
- 1 cup of fat-free or low-fat milk or soy milk
- ⅔ cup (6 ounces) of fat-free yogurt sweetened with sugar-free sweetener
- Desserts or sweets:
- 2 small cookies
- ½ cup of ice cream or frozen yogurt
- 1 tablespoon syrup, jam, jelly, table sugar, or honey
What other guidelines should I follow? - Check your blood sugar level as directed. Ask your healthcare provider when and how often to check your blood sugar during the day. Write down your blood sugar level each time you check it. You may need to bring this information to follow-up visits.
- Exercise as directed. Exercise can help keep your blood sugar within the recommended levels. Exercise can also keep your weight in a healthy range during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the type and amount of physical activity that is best for you.
- Eat foods high in fiber. Choose foods that are a good source of fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Cereals that contain 5 or more grams of fiber per serving are a good source of fiber. Legumes such as kidney beans and lentils are also a good source.
- Limit sweets and desserts. These foods are high in sugar, fat, and calories and low in healthy nutrients.
- Limit the amount of fat you eat each day. Ask your dietitian or healthcare provider how much fat you should eat each day. Choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Examples include chicken without the skin and low-fat dairy foods.
When should I contact my dietitian or healthcare provider? - Your blood sugar levels continue to be high, even though you are following your meal plan.
- You have a low blood sugar level during certain times of the day.
- You have questions or concerns about your meal plan, or you are having trouble following the plan.
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