Your healthy pregnancy because
of a Gestational Diabetes Menu
A gestational diabetes menu is a healthy eating plan designed to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. If you have been advised to choose a gestational diabetic diet, you may find that you like it enough to stick with it after your pregnancy. Many dieticians feel that it is effective for controlling weight and ensuring that insulin levels and blood glucose levels are balanced. It could also reduce your risk of developing type II diabetes. Having gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing that condition later in life. A gestational diabetes menu includes all fruits and vegetables, with limited quantities of starchy white potatoes. Sweet corn and peas should be limited, because they are quickly digested and can spike blood sugar levels. White bread and foods containing processed flour should be avoided as much as possible. Good grain choices include rice and oatmeal. Fatty, fried and greasy foods should be avoided, but you should try to get enough good omega-3 fats every day. Doctors typically suggest a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. Some suggest an omega-3 supplement, too.
Other things to be aware of :
For those with morning sickness, one or two crackers or pretzels can be eaten before getting out of bed. Keep a glass or bottle of water next to your bed. It is important to get enough fluids, but sugary soft drinks should be avoided. The gestational diabetes menu that follows is based on the “average” need for calories during pregnancy, which is between 2000 and 2500. If you were at a normal weight before you became pregnant, your actual caloric need is approximately 200-300 calories more per day than you consumed in your pre-pregnancy state. Your doctor may recommend more or less depending on your current weight and your pre-pregnancy weight. New weight gain guidelines indicate that an overweight woman should gain no more than 15-25 pounds during pregnancy.
Sample Gestational Diabetic Diet
Breakfast:
1 large apple
1 boiled egg
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
Snack:
1 cup (8 medium) strawberries
1 cup baby carrots
Lunch:
1 baked boneless, skinless chicken breast (5 ounces)
1 cup cooked brown rice, flavored with herbs
Snack:
1 medium pear
1 ounce (1 slice) Swiss cheese
Dinner:
6 large shrimp
Large vegetable salad, including leafy greens, cucumber, tomato and onion (easy on the dressing)
Baked sweet potato
Bedtime snack: 1 banana
Conclusions :
By eating small meals, every two or three hours, you keep your blood sugar and
insulin levels stable.
You can cater this kind of diet to suit your specific tastes. But, try to eat a variety of multi-colored fruits and vegetables, because of all the different antioxidants they contain. This gestational diabetes menu provides complex carbohydrates, which are slowly digested and do not cause a spike in blood sugar levels. It also provides sufficient dietary fiber, fat and enough protein to support your developing baby.
Other Gestational pages of interest
Signs of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes test
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