What is the best diet for gestational diabetes?

It may be possible to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes by following a healthful diet and maintaining a moderate weight. A person may choose to consume certain foods and avoid others.
Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy when blood sugar levels are too high.
Prompt treatment of gestational diabetes can ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.
can ensure
Having gestational diabetes does not mean a person had diabetes before or will have diabetes after pregnancy, but it does increase a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes develops when pregnancy hormones make a person resistant to the action of insulin. Without treatment, it can lead to a range of complications.
Insulin is a hormone that helps to control blood sugar levels. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the body resistant to insulin, leading to an increase in blood sugar. A pregnant person may be able to produce more insulin to compensate, but some cannot, which results in gestational diabetes.
Insulin
can make
This article explains the diet that people can follow during pregnancy if they have gestational diabetes, including which foods to eat and avoid.
It will also outline other treatment options for gestational diabetes, possible complications, and tips for a healthy pregnancy.
What is gestational diabetes?
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Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gestational diabetes affects 2–10% of pregnancies each year in the United States.
2–10%
This type of diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough of the hormone insulin during pregnancy. The pancreas produces insulin, which helps the body’s cells use sugar from the blood as energy.
The body will produce more hormones during pregnancy, and people may gain weight. These changes can result in cells using insulin less efficiently than previously, known as insulin resistance.
may gain weight
insulin resistance
Becoming resistant to insulin means the body needs more insulin to handle sugar, or glucose, in the blood. If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to keep up, this can lead to high blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar levels can be harmful to both the pregnant person and the unborn baby.
can be harmful
Insulin resistance is also related to carrying extra weight before pregnancy and physical inactivity.
also related
The symptoms of gestational diabetes may include:
tiredness
tiredness
nausea
being unusually thirsty
urinating frequently
frequent bladder infections
bladder infections
blurred vision
blurred vision
sugar in the urine that is detectable with testing
Learn more about gestational diabetes here.
Learn more about gestational diabetes here.
Foods to eat
It is important to eat a healthy diet if a person has gestational diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends using the diabetes plate method to help a person eat the right balance of nutritious foods.
diabetes plate method
To use this method, a person should fill half of a 9-inch plate with nonstarchy vegetables, a quarter with lean protein, and a quarter with a carbohydrate, such as a whole grain or starchy vegetable.
Examples of each of these foods are below.
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peppers
spinach
carrot
broccoli
cauliflower
Brussels sprouts
asparagus
cucumber
mushroom
zucchini
salad greens
eggplant
celery
chicken
turkey
eggs
salmon
tuna
lean cuts of red meat
beans
lentils
hummus
nuts
nut butters
tofu and tempeh
brown rice
quinoa
bulgur wheat
oats
sweet potato
parsnips
butternut squash
chickpeas
fruits and dried fruit
dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and milk substitutes
A person can consult a doctor or dietitian about a healthy diet plan during pregnancy.
Foods to avoid
Avoiding foods that cause a spike in blood sugar levels is important if a person follows a gestational diabetes diet.
Blood sugar levels increase when people eat sugary foods, particularly refined or processed ones. People with gestational diabetes should avoid or limit foods with added sugar as much as possible.
increase
Sugary foods to avoid include:
cakes
cookies
candy
desserts
sweet pastries
soda
ice cream
fruit juice or sugary drinks
Although milk and whole fruits contain natural sugars, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) still recommends that people with diabetes include them as part of a balanced diet.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Starchy foods are high in carbohydrates, which can cause a rise in blood sugar. It is best to avoid or limit very starchy foods with a higher glycemic index, such as:
high in carbohydrates
higher glycemic index
white potatoes
white bread
white rice
white pasta
A person may want to switch from white, refined carbohydrates to whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, or oats.
refined carbohydrates
such as
Some foods and drinks are not obvious sources of sugar or carbohydrates. However, they may still contain high levels of both. Examples of these products include:
highly processed foods
some condiments, such as dressings and ketchup
some fast foods
sugar-sweetened soda
french fries
alcohol
A pregnant person should avoid drinking alcohol throughout pregnancy as there is no known safe amount. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a range of serious health problems for a baby.
Healthy eating tips
To help manage blood sugar levels and eat healthily, the CDC give the following tips:
manage blood sugar levels
eat healthily
Eat at regular times and avoid skipping meals.
Keep track of food, drinks, and physical exercise, to understand their effect on blood sugar levels.
Choose foods lower in saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, salt, and calories.
Drink water rather than juice or soda.
Choose fruit as a sweet treat, instead of processed, sugary foods.
Make simple swaps, such as switching foods high in saturated fats, including butter and fatty cuts of meat, to unsaturated fats, such as olive oil and fish.
Look for foods labeled “low in sodium” and avoid processed or packaged foods such as pizzas and deli meats to help reduce salt intake.
Add lemon, herbs, or spices to food for flavoring instead of salt.
Steam vegetables for meals, or add half a cup of beans or peas into a salad to add extra fiber.
Aim for colorful meals with a range of dark green and brightly colored vegetables and fruits such as berries.
It can help to space meals and snacks evenly throughout the day. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that people with gestational diabetes consume three meals and two to three snacks per day. Doing this can reduce high blood sugar spikes after eating.
three meals and two to three snacks per day
A person with gestational diabetes can monitor and log their blood sugar levels at different points during the day and keep a food and activity diary. This can show them how foods and activity affect their blood sugar levels.
Learn more about blood glucose levels here.
Learn more about blood glucose levels here.
Staying healthy during pregnancy
The NIDDK recommends the following tips for staying healthy during pregnancy:
NIDDK
Consume foods and drinks that are high in iron, folate, calcium, and protein.
Talk with a healthcare professional about taking prenatal vitamin supplements.
Eat breakfast every day and meals or snacks as necessary throughout the day.
Drink plenty of water and eat foods high in fiber to help prevent constipation.
Avoid food and drink that could be harmful to a growing fetus, such as alcohol, raw or undercooked fish and seafood, fish containing high levels of mercury, undercooked meat or poultry, and soft cheeses.
Exercise regularly with moderate levels of aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes each week.
After giving birth, slowly reintroduce regular, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise to gradually regain a healthy weight.
Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but gaining too much or too little can pose health risks for a pregnant person and the unborn baby. A healthcare professional can give a person advice about ideal weight through pregnancy stages.
Treatment
Following a healthy diet and exercising can help a person control their blood sugar levels and manage gestational diabetes. However, this may not be enough to control the condition in some cases.
can help
Some people with gestational diabetes may need medication, such as insulin or metformin, to lower their blood sugar levels.
may need
metformin
Learn more about using metformin during pregnancy here.
Learn more about using metformin during pregnancy here.
Complications
Gestational diabetes increases the risk of complications for both the pregnant person and the baby. Risks affecting the pregnant person include:
increases the risk
difficulties during labor
cesarean delivery
heavy bleeding after delivery
in a vaginal delivery, severe tears in or around the vagina
According to the CDC, the babies of people who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk of:
CDC
weighing more than 9 pounds (lbs), making delivery harder
premature birth
having low blood sugar
developing type 2 diabetes in later life
type 2 diabetes
Around half of all people with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. After giving birth, maintaining a healthy body weight and controlling blood sugar levels can reduce this risk.
Risk factors
Gestational diabetes can affect anyone during pregnancy, but risk factors for developing the condition include:
risk factors
being overweight or obese
having a family history of diabetes
having high blood pressure or heart disease
having polycystic ovary syndrome
having prediabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance
prediabetes
previously giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 lbs
being older than 25
being of African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander heritage
When to see a doctor
Gestational diabetes typically develops around the 24th week of pregnancy. A doctor will usually test for the condition at around 15 weeks.
24th week
15 weeks
If a person notices any symptoms of gestational diabetes before testing, they will need to speak with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Once a doctor diagnoses gestational diabetes, they may refer the pregnant person to a dietitian. A dietitian can help create a diet plan that is appropriate for a person’s blood sugar levels and nutritional needs.
Summary
Gestational diabetes happens when pregnancy hormones make the body resistant to insulin. Sometimes, the pancreas can produce enough extra insulin to handle the glucose in the blood, but sometimes it cannot. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can be harmful to a pregnant person and the unborn baby.
To regulate blood sugar levels, a person can choose a combination of nonstarchy vegetables, lean protein, and grains or starchy vegetables, as set out in the diabetes plate method.
Gestational diabetes can lead to complications during birth and health risks for the pregnant person and the unborn baby if a person does not get treatment.
People at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes include those who are obese or overweight, people with a family history of diabetes, and those who have previously given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 lbs.
higher risk
Does type 1 diabetes increase the risk of gestational diabetes?
Having type 1 diabetes before becoming pregnant is different from gestational diabetes. A person who already has type 1 diabetes will need to work with a healthcare professional to maintain healthy blood sugar levels prior to becoming pregnant. Blood sugars that are well controlled prior to pregnancy reduce the risk of birth defects and complications during pregnancy.
A person with type 1 diabetes will need special care during pregnancy and may need increased insulin doses to maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout the pregnancy. They will need to monitor blood sugars closely during pregnancy and should eat the same healthy diet as this article outlines.