Gestational diabetes mellitus is glucose intolerance or elevated blood sugar level first diagnosed during pregnancy. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, gestational diabetes is a condition affecting three to eight out of every 100 pregnancies in the United States. The primary therapeutic strategies for gestational diabetes are blood sugar control through diet and exercise, your doctor will prescribe oral medication or insulin if needed.
Your Diet Matters
Controlling your blood sugar levels during pregnancy is important for your health and your baby's health. The American Diabetes Association recognizes nutrition therapy as the primary strategy for glucose management. Maintaining a healthy meal plan for the duration of your pregnancy will decrease the risk of diabetes-related complications during pregnancy and birth.
Expert Recommendations
The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association have published guidelines to manage gestational diabetes through diet modifications. Even with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, your diet should include adequate calories and carbohydrates for your baby's development. Most pregnant women with gestational diabetes need at least 1,800 calories and 175g of carbohydrate daily.
Carbohydrates
The main sources of carbohydrate include grains, fruit, milk and yogurt, juices, beans, starchy vegetables and sweets. It is important to distribute your carbohydrates throughout the day into three meals and one to three snacks. Counting carbohydrates can help you control carbohydrate intake.
Counting Carbohydrates
Carbohydrate counting is an essential part of meal planning for blood sugar control. You can count carbohydrates by using the Nutrition Facts on the label of packaged foods and by learning the amount of carbohydrates per serving of carbohydrate food. When using the food label, check for the serving size and use the total carbohydrate to determine the grams of carbohydrate per serving. Using the American Diabetes Association exchange list, one serving of a carbohydrate food contains 15g of carbohydrate. Most starchy vegetables such as corn, peas and beans are 1/2 cup per serving, grains like rice and pasta are 1/3 cup per serving, milk is 8 oz. per serving and sugar-free yogurt is 6 oz. per serving.
Balanced Diet
Your meals and snacks should include lean meats for protein such as chicken, fish, nuts, tofu and eggs. Fats are an important part of your diet and should be included as well. Choose healthy unsaturated fats like olive and canola oils. Low-fat cooking methods such as baking, broiling and grilling will help you maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy and after you deliver your baby. Limit sweets and sugar sweetened beverages. The best sources of carbohydrates are those rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals like grains, low-fat milk, sugar-free yogurt, fruit and vegetables.
References
- Medline Plus: Diabetes Diet -- Gestational
- American Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Recommendations 2004: Position Statement; Diabetes Care Volume 27 Supplement 1, January 2004
- American Dietetic Assocation Nutrition Care Manual: Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Therapy
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Gestational Diabetes
