Diabetes Diet
Gestational Diabetes: What To Eat And What Not
Gestational diabetes occurs in about 2 % to 5
% of all pregnancies. It is a temporary condition and is fully
treatable. It may cause certain problems with the pregnancy and requires
careful medical supervision.
Diet and
gestational diabetes are inherently related. In fact, diet is an
important treatment for gestational diabetes. Eating a carefully planned
diet is one of the best remedies. Others include having plenty of
exercise, maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight, monitoring glucose
levels and, if necessary, daily insulin injections.
Your doctor/
dietitian may ask you to change your food habits while planning your
diet. You may be asked to avoid eating foods that contain a lot of
simple sugar, such as cake, cookies, candy or ice cream. Instead, eat
foods that contain natural sugars, like fruits. You will also be advised
to have several small meals instead of one or two big meals. If you get
hungry in between meals, it is better to eat foods that are healthy for
you, such as raisins, carrot sticks, or a piece of fruit. Other foods
such as whole grain, pasta, breads, rice and fruit are also good for
both, you and your baby.
To help the blood sugar level stay
within a normal range (60 to 120 mg/dl), a dietitian's diet plan will
include the following:
1) To stay away from sugar and foods high in sugar.
2) Have complex carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, grains, cereals,
crackers, bread, potatoes, dried beans and peas on regular basis.
3) Eat fiber-rich foods such as whole grain cereals and breads, fruits
and vegetables.
4) Saturated fats such as fatty meats, butter, bacon, cream and whole
milk cheeses should be avoided.
5) Eat a snack before bedtime that is protein and carbohydrate based.
In sync with a woman's needs, doctor or dietitian will
tell you to have about 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day if you are a small
woman who exercises, to have about 1,600 to 2,000 calories a day if you
are a large woman who wants to lose weight.
As a pregnant woman,
it's important that you eat well-balanced meals. You may need to eat
less at each meal, depending on how much weight you gain during your
pregnancy. Your doctor or dietitian will explain all these to you.