Gestational Diabetes Diet Overview, Foods & More
Article Sources
- 1. 'Gestational Diabetes.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 May 2019, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/gestational.html
- 2. NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/treatment/.
- 3. 'Gestational Diabetes Treatment Plan: Yale Health.' Gestational Diabetes Treatment Plan | Yale Health, yalehealth.yale.edu/gestational-diabetes-treatment-plan.
- 4. UCSF Health. 'Dietary Recommendations for Gestational Diabetes.' Ucsfhealth.org, UCSF Health, 6 Oct. 2020, www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary-recommendations-for-gestational-diabetes.
- 5. NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/food-and-diet/what-is-the-glycaemic-index-gi/.
- 6. Evieosullivan. 'What Can I Eat with Gestational Diabetes?' Diabetes UK, Diabetes UK, www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-gestational-diabetes.
- 7. NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/.
- 8. Pistollato, Francesca, et al. 'Plant-Based and Plant-Rich Diet Patterns during Gestation: Beneficial Effects and Possible Shortcomings.' Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), American Society for Nutrition, 15 Sept. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4561836/.
1. Eat Regularly
It’s important not to skip meals while managing gestational diabetes.2NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/treatment/. Smaller, more frequent portions are often recommended over large meals that can cause blood sugar to spike. Carbohydrates in particular should be monitored. A dietitian may recommend eating as frequently as every two to three hours, with at least three meals and three snacks throughout the day.
This may be an opportunity to embrace the midnight snack. Some dietitians recommend a small healthy snack like an apple with peanut butter just before bed to help manage nighttime blood sugar.3‘Gestational Diabetes Treatment Plan: Yale Health.’ Gestational Diabetes Treatment Plan | Yale Health, yalehealth.yale.edu/gestational-diabetes-treatment-plan.
