A Complete Guide to Gestational Diabetes Diet | Foods to Include & Meals Plans

Eat Fruits

There’s a common misconception that fruits are unsafe for pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

While certain foods are unsafe for all pregnancies, you don’t have to avoid fruits altogether. Just make sure you eat them in moderation.

It’s important to monitor carbs in fruits so that you don’t eat something that drastically increases your carb levels.

Talk to a dietician to figure out the ideal daily carb intake. Try to add fruits like berries. They are low in sugar and rich in fiber, making them the best food for gestational diabetes.

Add them to yogurt or your favorite sweet dish if you can’t eat berries alone.

Lean Proteins

A healthy pregnancy diet includes lots of lean proteins that keep your baby healthy and full for longer, thus helping women with gestational diabetes.

A few foods rich in protein are fish, chicken, eggs, and turkey. You should eat proteins for breakfast, as that will help keep your hunger levels normal throughout the day.

It may help you with morning sickness. Ask your dietician about the recommended protein levels for the day.

Healthy Fats

Fat-rich foods are low in nutritional value and high in calories, which makes your diabetes harder to manage.

While you need some fat to absorb vitamins and minerals from your food, you should switch to unsaturated fats, as they are healthier and safer.

Try to add more nuts and beans to your diet. They are packed with unsaturated fats. Omega-3 fatty acids found in different varieties of fish are also pretty healthy.

Complex Carbs

Whole grain, high-fiber carbs are healthy for pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

If you crave carbohydrates, make a smart and healthy choice by switching to complex carbs.

Simply put, you should replace soda, white rice, and candy with beans, brown rice, yogurt, berries, and sweet potatoes.

Unsweetened dairy products also provide you with healthy carbs, fulfilling your carb cravings without increasing your blood glucose levels.

However, all foods rich in carbs (good or bad) will affect your blood glucose to some extent, which is why it’s advisable to limit your carb portion. Eat healthy carbs in moderation.

Eat Healthy Snacks

The best gestational diabetes snacks include low-sugar yogurt, fruits, and vegetables, unsalted nuts, etc.

Then again, when you are craving snacks, be extra careful about your portion sizes.

Eating too much of them can raise your blood glucose levels significantly and make gestational diabetes unmanageable without medication.

If you are still confused about snacks that don’t affect your diabetes and satisfy your evening food cravings, you should try walnuts, almonds, and peanuts.

These foods are low in carbs and are rich in fiber and healthy fats, making them perfect for your heart and baby’s health.

Eat More Fish

Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, the most crucial food for gestational diabetes and pregnancies in general.

They are healthy for your baby’s growth. You should set the goal of eating two portions of fish every week.

One portion of oily fish should be enough for pregnant ladies. It’s approx 140 grams and includes mackerel, salmon, sardine, and trout.

While picking fish, make sure you avoid those rich in mercury. It’s a dangerous element found in polluted water and can be harmful to your and the baby’s health. Examples include sharks, swordfish, and marlins.