subject: Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan: Points to Remember [print this page] Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan: Points to Remember
When you are pregnant and your blood sugar (or glucose) level is excessively high, gestational diabetes occurs and this would require a gestational diabetes diet plan. In diabetes, the high blood sugar levels can be harmful to you and your child, which is why it is important for you to maintain a healthy level all the time.
In a gestational diabetes diet plan, you need to control your intake of carbohydrates, which becomes glucose for your body. What are some foods that contain carbohydrates? Rice, grains, breads, pasta, and potatoes (or starchy foods). It can also be found in fruits, vegetables, dairy, and sugar. Thus, you need to eat just the right amount to avoid too much or a lack of carbohydrates.
Regulate the Daily Intake of Carbohydrates
When dieting for diabetes, it is important to keep the amount of carbohydrates you take every day the same so that you can eventually keep the blood sugar at a normal range. What you need to know first is that one serving of food that contains carbohydrate, such as a slice of multi-grain bread, has about 15 grams of carbohydrates.
Vegetables contain fewer carbohydrates, since one serving contains only about 5 grams of carbohydrates. Meanwhile, meats and fats are not considered as carbohydrates.
Eat Snacks
If you eat one to three snacks per day, you can reduce instances of being hungry and eventually overeating. Even before sleeping, you need to take a snack to avoid your blood sugar levels from going down overnight.
Snacks such as fruits and low fat yogurt would be ideal choices. Fruits are high in fiber, which will help you feel full. The important reminder is not to have too much sugar, though, so just keep on controlling those calories.
Regulate the Eating Time
Eating at the same time every day can help allocate the food such that you eat about every three hours.
Foods to Avoid
Eating too much sweet can be harmful to your body, so avoid foods with added sugar, and other foods such as honey, maple syrup, jellies, or jams.
Fiber
High fiber foods can help control blood sugar in a gestational diabetes diet plan. Some examples of which are fresh fruits and vegetables, bran cereals, cooked dried beans, and whole grain breads.
