Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy and it increases your risk for a more complicated pregnancy. The goal in treatment for gestational diabetes is to maintain blood sugars as close to normal as possible. Elevated blood sugars during pregnancy can increase your risk of having a large birth weight baby. You can control your blood sugars by making modifications to your diet. The diet for gestational diabetes requires you to eat small frequent meals and to control the amount of carbohydrates you eat at each meal.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates in food increase blood sugar. Eating large amounts of carbohydrates at a single meal can cause a surge in your blood sugar. Foods with carbohydrates include grains, starchy vegetables, bread, all fruits, milk and yogurt. To help control your blood sugars, limit the amount of carbohydrate you eat at each meal to 45 g and each snack to 30 g. Use food labels to help you count carbohydrates. You can also use the diabetes exchange meal plan as a guide for portions and carbohydrate content in food. Meats, fats and vegetables do not contain carbohydrates and should be included with meals for balance.
Breakfast
When planning your meals, include more whole grains to increase your fiber intake. Fiber in food slows down digestion and allows for better blood sugar control. A balanced breakfast for gestational diabetes includes two scrambled eggs with two slices of whole wheat toast with 2 tsp. of margarine and 1 cup of nonfat milk.
Morning Snack
Pregnant women need to make sure they get enough calcium in their diets. Try to include 3 to 4 cups of milk or yogurt each day. A carbohydrate-controlled morning snack includes 6 oz. of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt with a small apple.
Lunch
Try to eat either a meal or snack every three hours to help keep blood sugars even and consistent. A carbohydrate-controlled lunch meal for gestational diabetes includes a turkey sandwich made with 3 oz. of lean deli turkey meat on two slices of whole wheat bread with 2 tsp. of mayonnaise, 1 cup of nonfat milk and 1 cup of baby carrots with 1 tbsp. of ranch dressing.
Afternoon Snack
A healthy afternoon snack for gestational diabetes may consist of five whole grain crackers with 1-1/2 tsp. of peanut butter and 6 oz. of nonfat, sugar-free yogurt.
Dinner
A 45 g carbohydrate dinner meal for gestational diabetes may include 3 oz. of grilled salmon with 1-1/2 cups of roasted red potatoes, 1 cup of spinach sauteed in 1 tsp. of olive oil and garlic.
Evening Snack
Including an evening snack will help you maintain good blood sugar control while you sleep. Include a meat or fat with your snack to slow digestion. A healthy snack choice may include a toasted whole wheat English muffin with 1 oz. of cheese.
