Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Pregnant women with gestational Diabetes tend to have larger babies at birth. This can increase the chance of problems at the time of delivery.
This article discusses the diet recommendations for women with gestational diabetes who do NOT take insulin.
Alternative NamesGestational diabetes diet
FunctionEating a balanced diet is an important part of any pregnancy. The food you eat helps your baby grow and develop while in the womb. Diet is even more important if you have diabetes. Most of the time, eating properly can keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels from becoming too high or too low. Eating properly can also help you avoid needing medications for your diabetes.
You can help manage gestational diabetes with diet and exercise. Every pregnancy is different. Your doctor and dietitian will create a diet just for you, based on:
Remember that "eating for two" does not mean eating twice as many calories. You usually need just 300 extra calories a day (such as a glass of milk, a banana, and 10 crackers).
RecommendationsThe best way to improve your diet is by eating a variety of healthy foods. You should learn how to read food labels, and consult them when making food decisions. Talk to your doctor or dietitian if you are a vegetarian or on some other special diet.
In general, your diet should be moderate in fat and protein and provide controlled levels of carbohydrates through foods including fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice). You will also be asked to cut back on foods that have a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and pastries.
You will be asked to eat three small- to moderate- sized meals and one or more snacks each day. Do not skip meals and snacks. Keep the amount and types of food (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) the same from day to day.
CARBOHYDRATES
GRAINS, BEANS, AND STARTCHY VEGETABLES
VEGETABLES
FRUITS
MILK AND DAIRY
PROTEIN (MEAT, FISH, DRY BEANS, EGGS, AND NUTS)
SWEETS
FATS
Expect this diet to change periodically to meet the changing nutritional needs of your pregnancy.
OTHER LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian may ask you to keep track of what you eat. You may also be told to take a prenatal vitamin everyday, possibly with iron and calcium supplements.
It is important for all people with diabetes to monitor their blood (sugar). Your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar (glucose) every day or several times per day. You may also be asked to check for ketones in your urine.
You should avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
Your doctor may also suggest a safe exercise plan. Walking is usually the easiest type of exercise, but swimming or other low-impact exercises can work just as well. Exercise is an important way to keep blood sugar in control, and physical activity in pregnancy has been found to decrease the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
ReferencesAmerican Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2009. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:S13-S61.
Metzger BE, Buchanan TA, Coustan DR, et al. Summary and recommendations of the Fifth International Workshop-Conference on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2007 Jul;30 Suppl 2:S251-60.
American Diabetes Association. Nutrition recommendations and interventions for diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:S61-S78.
Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al. Diabetes. In: Cunnigham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005:chap 52.
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that starts or is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes tend to have larger babies at birth. This can increase the chance of problems at the time of delivery.
This article discusses the diet recommendations for women with gestational diabetes who do NOT take insulin.
Alternative NamesGestational diabetes diet
FunctionEating a balanced diet is an important part of any pregnancy. The food you eat helps your baby grow and develop while in the womb. Diet is even more important if you have diabetes. Most of the time, eating properly can keep your blood sugar (glucose) levels from becoming too high or too low. Eating properly can also help you avoid needing medications for your diabetes.
You can help manage gestational diabetes with diet and exercise. Every pregnancy is different. Your doctor and dietitian will create a diet just for you, based on:
Remember that "eating for two" does not mean eating twice as many calories. You usually need just 300 extra calories a day (such as a glass of milk, a banana, and 10 crackers).
RecommendationsThe best way to improve your diet is by eating a variety of healthy foods. You should learn how to read food labels, and consult them when making food decisions. Talk to your doctor or dietitian if you are a vegetarian or on some other special diet.
In general, your diet should be moderate in fat and protein and provide controlled levels of carbohydrates through foods including fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice). You will also be asked to cut back on foods that have a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and pastries.
You will be asked to eat three small- to moderate- sized meals and one or more snacks each day. Do not skip meals and snacks. Keep the amount and types of food (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) the same from day to day.
CARBOHYDRATES
GRAINS, BEANS, AND STARTCHY VEGETABLES
VEGETABLES
FRUITS
MILK AND DAIRY
PROTEIN (MEAT, FISH, DRY BEANS, EGGS, AND NUTS)
SWEETS
FATS
Expect this diet to change periodically to meet the changing nutritional needs of your pregnancy.
OTHER LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian may ask you to keep track of what you eat. You may also be told to take a prenatal vitamin everyday, possibly with iron and calcium supplements.
It is important for all people with diabetes to monitor their blood (sugar). Your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar (glucose) every day or several times per day. You may also be asked to check for ketones in your urine.
You should avoid alcohol during pregnancy.
Your doctor may also suggest a safe exercise plan. Walking is usually the easiest type of exercise, but swimming or other low-impact exercises can work just as well. Exercise is an important way to keep blood sugar in control, and physical activity in pregnancy has been found to decrease the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
ReferencesAmerican Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2011. Diabetes Care. January 2011 vol. 34 no. Supplement 1 S11-S61.
American Diabetes Association. Nutrition recommendations and interventions for diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:S61-S78.
Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al. Diabetes. In: Cunningham FG, Leveno KL, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2010:chap 52.
Serlin DC, Lash RW. Diagnosis and management of gestational diabetes mellitus. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Jul 1;80(1):57-62.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/13/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A gestational diabetes diet is like a regular diet for diabetics. It should be low in sugar and carbohydrates. Whole grains can be eaten instead of simple sugars.
The gestational diabetes diet if for pregnant patients that are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, your obstetrician will generally direct you with a nutritionist who will educate you on the proper diet for your condition.
You can find recipes for a gestational diabetes diet at http://www.sugrnspice.com/2010/07/20/gestational-diabeties-diet-gd-diet.html. You can also try http://www.diabeticmommy.com/articles.html#recipesfoodanddiet. There is a sample menu available at http://pregnancy.emedtv.com/gestational-diabetes/gestational-diabetes-sample-menu.html
Some foods that are eaten on the gestational diabetes diet include foods high in fiber such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables. To find out all the steps you should take in a gestational diabetes diet go to http://www.diabeticmommy.com/34-gestational-diabetes-diet.html
Women with gestational diabetes are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. It is also common for gestational diabetes to occur in subsequent pregnancies. As always, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise plan can combat this risk.
There are a number of different diet plans available for gestational diabetes. If one follows these plans it will be beneficial for one's condition. Information regarding the diet plan can be found on Intermountain Healthcare and one can find some great recipes on the Gestational Diet Recipes website.
Diabetes in pregnancy can be prevented through diet changes. Eating a diet higher in protein can potentially prevent gestational diabetes. The following website has some useful information regarding the prevention of gestational diabetes, http://www.naturalnews.com/029181_gestational_diabetes_diet.html
This site offers great information about a healthy diet for people with gestational diabetes: http://www.diabeticmommy.com/34-gestational-diabetes-diet.html. Some foods high in fiber are generally recommended, such as whole-grains, fruits, and vegetables.
The entire goal of the diet to keep your blood sugar at a certain level and you do this by eating more frequently, smaller meals, and you watch your carbohydrates. Here is a great article to help you. http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/diabetes-gestational-diet-plan.html
Yes, you can eat unlimited vegetables on a diabetic diet.
If you have gestational diabetes, you should stick to proteins and vegetables and avoid sugar at all costs. Your doctor can tell you more about good diets.
Gestational diabetes is a condition that effects pregnant women. The conditions involves having too much sugar in the blood. When one eats carbohydrates, it breaks down into sugar, so someone with gestational diabetes should limit their carbohydrate diet. They should balance carbohydrates with protein and fat in order to keep the sugar in the blood under control.
Yes, having a history of diabetes makes you more likely to develop gestational diabetes. It's best to maintain a diabetic diet (low carb, low sugar) during pregnancy, whether or not you are diagnosed with GD.