Nothing is more frightening to a pregnant mother than learning she has a disease that may hurt her or her child. While gestational diabetes is a serious diagnosis, it doesn't mean the end of a healthy pregnancy; it just means making modifications to your lifestyle. In most cases, gestational diabetes can be controlled without medication through alterations to your diet. Consult your health care provider to establish a plan to manage your disease.
About Gestational Diabetes
High blood sugar that develops in the third trimester of a pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. It effects women who were not previously diabetic and generally disappears shortly after delivery. Gestational diabetes does elevate the mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life, so it is important to keep the disease well controlled during pregnancy. Fortunately, gestational diabetes can be managed with simple changes to diet and exercise. Occasionally, medication may be required to manage blood sugar.
Basics
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your physician will help you come up with a diet plan or will refer you to a nutritionist for extra help. Every woman with gestational diabetes will need a personalized diet based on her unique needs. For instance, it may be important for some women to avoid further weight gain for the duration of their pregnancy. However, the basics are the same for everyone. A gestational diabetes diet requires commonsense healthy eating -- lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, lean meats and poultry and low-fat dairy products. Though cookies and sweets may be particularly tempting during pregnancy, women with gestational diabetes should avoid refined sugar.
Meals
When you are trying to manage blood sugar, eating frequent, small meals is beneficial. Try to include lean protein, fresh produce, low-fat dairy and complex carbs in each meal. For instance, breakfast might consist of a vegetable omelet made with egg whites, a glass of skim milk and a piece of whole-wheat toast. For lunch, have a salad with plenty of greens, grilled chicken and cheese. For dinner, have a small cut of lean meat with brown rice and steamed vegetables.
Snacks
Small snacks between meals will also help to keep your blood sugar levels constant. Snacks don't need to be complicated, just healthy. Carry a bag of nuts and a piece of fruit in your purse for a nutritious snack on the run. At home, opt for a piece of cheese, a glass of milk or a fruit smoothie to work more calcium into your diet. Although they provide a quick rush of energy, refined carbohydrates should be avoided since they lead to glucose crashes.
