Gestational Diabetes- Our diet and blood glucose control

A new diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be overwhelming, but in many cases a few dietary tweaks can help improve blood glucose control and prevent complications down the track. Here’s 4 tips for managing your gestational diet:

 

1. A gestational diabetes diet is really just a healthy eating diet. It can be helpful to think of it this way when changing your diet appears overwhelming. The advice to increase fruits and vegetables, include regular protein and low GI/wholegrain carbohydrate sources is in line with the recommendations for a healthy pregnancy anyway!

2. Spread your carbohydrates out. The best way to control blood glucose levels is to avoid eating large portions of carbohydrates – this can overwhelm your system and result in blood glucose spikes. Instead focus on eating small, regular meals that contain small amounts of carbohydrate.

3. Chose low glycaemic index carbohydrates. These are usually whole grained or combined carbohydrate sources like oats or barley (whole grains) or yoghurt or lentils (carbohydrates combined with protein). Low GI carbohydrates digest more slowly, which helps to stabilise blood glucose levels.

4. Fasting blood glucose level high? This can often be a result of eating the wrong thing at night. Try adding in a low GI snack after dinner, just before bed. For example, cheese on whole grain biscuits or Greek yoghurt with some berries can be just enough to help lower fasting blood glucose levels.

These are just some basic tips, for more individualised advice it’s best to get your diet and blood glucose levels assessed.

 

Louise Cato

APD & Accredited Sports Dietitian