Gestational diabetes is a condition, which is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, during pregnancy. The blood sugar levels normalized after delivery, but are associated with increased risk of developing diabetes after the age of 45 years.
Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan
A diet plan helps control the elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy, without any medications. Here are a few basic diet guidelines
- Eat at fixed times each day. Avoid skipping meals or snacks. Three meals during the day with two to three snacks, helps control gestational diabetes.
- Don’t try to overstuff yourself. Instead, take small quantities of food at regular intervals to avoid hypoglycemia (or fall in blood sugar levels)
- Avoid tinned and canned foods, beverages, corn syrup, molasses, honey, jams or jellies. These include added sugar, which can result in increase in the blood sugar levels
- Always take a snack before going to bed to avoid blood sugar levels falling below normal, especially at night.
GDM Diet Menu and Recipes
Include the following in your daily diet, to limit the intake of carbohydrates and fats, while ensuring optimum nutrition for the growing fetus,
- Consume about half a cup of cooked pasta, cooked cereals or mashed potato or green peas
- Two rice cakes or three cups of air pooped popcorns or three-fourth cup of flake cereals should comprise of one snack meal each day
- Include one cup of apple, orange, grape or peach juice in your diet each day. This comprises of one snack
- Alternatively you could consume a few grapes, a kiwi fruit or a small pear in your snack
- Include one cup of vegetable soup, beans and tomato in your diet.