According to the American Diabetes Association, or ADA, pregnancy-induced diabetes mellitus, or gestational diabetes, occurs in four to eight percent of women. However, with new diagnostic criteria on the horizon, nearly twice that many women are expected to be diagnosed with it. According to the ADA, gestational diabetes mellitus is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. It is different than type I or type II diabetes mellitus, in that it generally goes away after delivery. However, if you develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy you are at higher risk for developing type II diabetes mellitus later in life.
Calories and Weight Gain
You should consume enough calories to gain the appropriate weight during your pregnancy. According to the American Dietetic Association you should gain the following weight based on your pre-pregnancy weight: underweight women should gain 28 to 40 pounds, normal weight women should gain 25 to 35 pounds, overweight women should gain 15 to 25 pounds, and obese women should gain 11 to 20 pounds.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are broken down into sugar for your body to use as energy. With gestational diabetes, your body has a hard time getting the sugar out of your blood and into the cells where it is needed. By balancing the amount of carbohydrate you eat throughout the day you can keep your blood sugar at a steady level. Generally, you should eat about three or four servings of carbohydrate at each meal plus one or two at each snack. A serving is equivalent to about 15 grams of carbohydrate. The grain, fruit and milk groups all contain carbohydrates. A serving from each of these groups equals a serving of carbohydrate. Beans and starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, peas and winter squashes also contain carbohydrate. Avoid sweets and desserts.
Protein
Including protein with each meal will help control your blood sugar and also provide nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Protein slows down how quickly the carbohydrates are digested and broken down into sugar and helps prevent your blood sugar from peaking too quickly. Good sources of protein include meat, poultry, eggs, nuts and seeds.
Fats
Fats will not affect your blood sugar but choosing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats will help your heart and should be part of a healthy diet. Vegetable oils, such as olive and canola, are sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Try small amounts of salad dressings, mayonnaise and sour cream. Avocados are also a healthy type of fat.
Meal Times
To keep your blood sugar consistent throughout the day, it is important to eat meals at regular intervals. Following the same schedule every day helps maintain a healthy blood sugar. The United States National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse suggests eating three small meals a day with one to three snacks in between.
