The National Institute of Child Health and Development notes that about 5 percent of pregnant women experience gestational diabetes. Controlling your blood sugar levels is important to keep both you and your baby healthy. Your doctor may prescribe medication, but she will also talk to you about the importance of diet and exercise in managing your blood sugar. Eating the right foods can help you control your diabetes, and the CDC recommends that women with gestational diabetes eat meals designed for people with other types of diabetes.
Portion Size
The March of Dimes says that pregnant women need about 300 more calories per day than usual. Women with gestational diabetes need to monitor the number of calories they consume to ensure that they receive the right amount with each meal. The American Diabetes Association advises controlling your portion sizes by drawing an imaginary line down the middle of your plate. Fill one side with non-starchy vegetables such as salad, broccoli or green beans. Divide the other half of the plate in half again, and fill one section with high-fiber starchy foods such as brown rice, whole grain bread or pinto beans. Choose a protein such as eggs, lean meat or seafood to fill the remaining small section.
Snacks
Eating snacks between meals is a way to control your hunger pangs and keep your blood sugar at an even level throughout the day. Feeling satisfied will also help you avoid eating high-calorie, low-nutrient foods such as candy bars and potato chips. Choose snacks with a high nutritional value but low sugar content, such as natural peanut butter spread on a whole-wheat cracker, or low-fat cottage cheese and sliced peaches. Reach for an apple, a handful of nuts or a small bowl of berries for a dose of vitamins and fiber.
Liquids
Staying hydrated keeps you feeling fuller and ensures that your kidneys have the help they need to flush waste from your body. Drink at least 8, 8-oz. glasses of water every day. Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol, as these can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate. The American Diabetes Association also recommends drinking an 8-oz. glass of low-fat milk with every meal to provide hydration and calcium for both you and your baby.
Carbohydrates
Controlling the simple carbohydrates in a diet, such as foods containing sugar or corn syrup, is important for women with gestational diabetes. Your body has trouble absorbing the sugar found in simple carbohydrates, leading to high blood sugar. To help reduce this problem, avoid sugary snacks and drinks, and choose foods containing complex carbohydrates, or those that are fiber rich and digested more slowly. Eat breads and cereals made from whole grains, and prepare brown rice instead of white. Choose vegetables and legumes with high fiber values as part of a meal. MayoClinic.com notes that some of the top sources of fiber include split peas, lentils, black beans, baked beans and cooked artichoke.
