Keeping the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats keeps the blood sugar level within the normal range that is necessary in gestational diabetes. One serving of carbohydrate food contains about 12 grams of carbohydrate that is necessary to cure gestational diabetes. Vegetables contain only 5grams of carbohydrates per serving.
I heard that some people with gestational diabetes could control their blood sugar level with diet alone. So, I preferred smaller meals rather than the big three meals for the day, to cure gestational diabetes. I avoided sugar beverages and sugar-laden foods like honey, jams, and jellies. They aggravate symptoms of gestational diabetes.
Pregnancy is the best time to gauge on food that one craves the most. High fiber foods control weight and help in regular bowel movements. Fresh fruits, beans and cereals are such types of foods. I had them when I was hungry between the meals.
Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan:
This menu helped me to fight against gestational diabetes:
1. ½ plate non-starchy vegetables (salad, broccoli)
2. ¼ plate protein (meat, fish)
3. ¼ plate grains (rice, pasta, bread)
4. 8 oz of milk
5. A fruit
" Breakfast: Add one egg on a muffin with melted cheese, light juice with light yogurt.
" Lunch: A sandwich with meat, cheese with two pieces of bread, many fruits and vegetables (carrots, apples)
" Dinner: One cup of pasta or a small potato, one protein (chicken, salad and many vegetables
" Dessert: Ice-cream serving is about 1 serving of carbohydrate
" Snacks: Mixed nuts, fruits, cheese
Even after such meticulous planning to cure gestational diabetes, the doctor one day came up to me and said that I need to begin taking insulin, to help the body against gestational diabetes. I thought that I had failed somehow against gestational diabetes. However, the doctor assured me that diet and exercise work great, but sometimes it may not be enough to cure gestational diabetes.
I always had a daily chart that kept tracks of the number of calories eaten at the time of gestational diabetes. Most pregnant women need to take in about 300 calories a day to gain enough weight. This is important for the overall health of a woman with gestational diabetes.
