Eating with Gestational Diabetes

Use this plan to keep your blood sugar under control and minimize the impact of gestational diabetes on you and your baby.

Gestational diabetes (GD) is now more common among pregnant women than before. If you’ve been told by your care provider that you have GD, use this plan to get adequate nutrition and maintain normal weight gain during pregnancy with good control of your blood sugars.

Your healthcare provider or perhaps a dietitian will help you establish and meet your meal plan goals for managing GD in pregnancy. Most women with GD will be able to cope with their condition just by following this plan and with exercise. On this plan, you’ll be eating three meals with 2-3 snacks per day, the bedtime snack being important as it prevents your blood sugar levels from being too low overnight.

Counting Carbs

Carbohydrates in your food become glucose in your body, which is a major energy source for you. Carbohydrates come from starchy foods such as bread, pasta, potatoes, rice and other grains. They are also found in fruits, dairy foods, vegetables, sugar and sweets.

Managing your Carbohydrates

Fruit
Milk
Starches A typical serving is a small, baseball-size piece. One serving is equal to 12 grams of carbohydrates: One serving is equal to 15 grams of carbohydrates: One serving is equal to 15 grams of carbohydrates; but don’t count hard and soft cheeses and count cream as a fat and count ice cream as a starch. Milks include: