Last Updated on April 17, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
In order to control your blood sugar levels with gestational diabetes, understand your diet and eat healthily to have a healthy pregnancy and keep the health of the mother and fetus well.
What can I consume if Ihave gestational diabetes?
If a woman is suffering from gestational diabetes, it is crucial to maintain a healthy and balanced diet in order to manage the symptoms. Add fruits and vegetables to your diet and avoid processed food items. Your diet plan should include protein with the correct amount of carbohydrates and fats. The fats should be healthy, and the diet must also contain a good amount of fiber. Also, there are no specific nutrients that are regarded as essential for GD, but few of them that must be added to your diet are Folate, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin D, etc.
Remember, you must inculcate physical activities in your daily life and never skip meals. Consult your doctor or dietitian to curate a diet for you as per your body’s requirements and blood sugar levels.
How to safely eat carbohydrates with gestational diabetes?
Having gestational diabetes doesn’t mean that you need to refrain from carbohydrates completely. But, you need to make healthier choices for yourself. All types of carbohydrates affect your blood sugar levels. What makes a difference to your blood sugar levels is the type and amount of carbs you eat or drink. Remember, less than half of the calories you consume should come from carbohydrates. Most of the carbs come from starchy or sugary foods. Therefore, High-fiber, whole-grain carbohydrates should be preferred.
You can consult your dietitian regarding reducing your carb portion sizes and choosing healthier carbs. Consume healthier forms of bread, such as multigrain, wholegrain, wholemeal, etc. You can also swap white flour with wholemeal flour and white rice for brown rice. Consume fresh or frozen vegetables without added sauces, fats, or salt. Try cutting down on excess sugar and making healthier choices.
It is crucial to manage your portion sizes. If you need to snack in between meals, always swap unhealthier options with healthier ones, such as yogurt, unsalted food and fruits. Keep in mind the glycemic index and always read the ingredient list and health benefits of what you are consuming.
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