M.Ed., RD, LDN, CLC, RYT-200
Andie is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Lactation Consultant, and Certified Personal Trainer who thinks of nutrition counseling as equal parts science and sensitivity. She specializes in lactation, sports nutrition, exercise fitness, and weight loss programs.
Gestational diabetes is defined as diabetes that is diagnosed during pregnancy. It is usually diagnosed later in pregnancy and if you were diagnosed earlier in your pregnancy, you may have had undetected diabetes before becoming pregnant.
While a diet for gestational diabetes should always be individualized (by a dietitian or diabetes educator), there are some gestational diabetes diet basics that can help you keep your blood sugars under control:
The meal plan below is an example of how to include high fiber foods into each meal and how to pair carbs with protein and healthy fats. Use this information in conjunction with the advice and recommendations from a dietitian or diabetes educator.
Keep in mind, with gestational diabetes, portion sizes of carbohydrate foods DO matter and an individualized plan based on your current blood sugar levels should be given to you by your provider, your diabetes educator or your dietitian. Choosing meals and snacks from the options listed below will help ensure you consume foods that can help you manage your blood sugar and also include nutrients needed for growth and development of your baby.
* Pregnant women should eat no more than 6 ounces of high-mercury fish per week
For more on this topic, check out the following articles:
Our Happy Family Organic Superfoods Cookbook for Baby & Toddler is chock-full of yummy, easy-to-prepare meals your whole family will love.