Gestational diabetes is found to occur in women during pregnancy. When women without diabetes tend to show high blood glucose levels during their pregnancy(third trimester), they are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes happens due to the fluctuating hormonal levels in the body which eventually alter the requirements of the body for insulin. This type of diabetes goes away once the mother gives birth to the child. However, should you get this diabetes, you might be prone to getting type 2 diabetes in later years.

During pregnancy, large amounts of glucose are formed in your blood and as a result, your cells don’t get the necessary energy. This of course can be harmful for both the mother and the child. Although gestational diabetes goes away after childbirth, there are several preventive and control measures for it. Most importantly, you should be careful about following a healthy gestational diabetes diet plan in order to stay healthy and ensure your child’s health at the same time. Here are some tips on formulating a proper gestational diabetes diet plan.

Meal tips for gestational diabetes diet plan

For a healthy gestational diabetes meal plan, eat a wide variety of foods so that you supply an even mix of calories and carbohydrates to your body. Have a balanced diet and have at least three meals and two snacks everyday. Besides

Make sure not to skip your meals. What you eat and when you eat your meals plus the amount of food your intake is very important. If you eat at regular intervals and in specific amounts, you body will get habitual to it and the food you eat will be distributed evenly throughout your body.

Proteins should be combined with carbohydrates. So, if you eat some protein containing foods like eggs, have some cheese or butter to balance it. the general rule of thumb is to eat protein and supplement it with carbohydrate. Combining proteins and fat will slow down the amount of sugar entering our blood.  You should include high fibre foods in your diet. Fresh foods and vegetables coupled with whole grains and cereals or dried peas and beans would do great. As these foods take longer time to digest than carbohydrates, these will put a check on the spikes in your blood sugar levels seen immediately after having meals.

Don’t take too much of sugar containing foods. Fruit juice, desserts, soda etc. should be avoided. If you need sweet food items to satiate your tongue, you can use artificial sweeteners. To compensate for the calcium, find an alternative source for the same.

Don’t take more than 30 to 45 carbohydrates per meal of your gestational diabetes diet plan. Try to have more whole wheat foods like bread and pasta.

Gestational Diabetes Meal Plan: Snacking Options

You need to have raw vegetables such as cabbage, celery, lettuces etc. Drink lots of water and unsweetened drinks. You should avoid soda as they can hike up your blood sugar levels.

Its advised to use seasonings in your food. Add salt seasonings in your gestational diabetes meal plan but only in small amount as they are rich in sodium. Fat free mayonnaise, Fat free cream, horseradish, mustard, fat free salad etc. are advisable as good snacking options for gestational diabetes meal plan.

Gestaional Diabetes Meal Plan: Actual Course

Breakfast

½ cup muesli or whole grain toast

1/cup trim milk or yoghurt containing low fat

½ banana or 1 orange

Egg, fish and low fat cheese

Snack

Unsalted nuts or dried fruits

½ cup low fat yoghurt

Muesli

1/s slices of whole grain

1 fresh fruit like orange, banana or apple

Lunch

Whole wheat, ½ cup black beans or tomato

Low fat cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon of salsa

1 tablespoons of olive oil

Non fat skimmed milk

Dinner

½ a cup of potatoes with corn

1 cup steamed rice or 2 cups noodles or pasta

2 cups of salad or cooked vegetables

Fish chicken or tofu(around 200 garms)

The aforementioned gestational diabetes meal plan would help pregnant women ward off gestational diabetes.