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Diet

As with normal pregnancies, diet plays an important part in keeping the baby healthy. If a person is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, diet is often the first lifestyle to be changed to help further control the blood sugar. The physician or dietician can provide more information on specific foods that should be included in the diet, as well as recommend multi-vitamins and other nutritional supplements. A dietician can provide information to assure that the mother and baby will be eating healthy.

Some general rules to follow when developing a diet are:

• Avoiding foods high in sugar - Most people think only of candy and sweets as high sugar foods. However, there are other foods that many of us consider "healthy" which contain a high sugar content. These include: soft drinks, fruit drinks, canned fruits packed in syrup, and even some fruit-containing yogurts. Because fruit juices have a high sugar content, they should be consumed in limited amounts.
• Eating foods containing complex carbohydrates and fiber - A diet including high fiber foods helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Some foods to include are: beans, vegetables, cereal, whole grain breads, fruits, rice, pasta, and potatoes.
• Eating foods that are low in fat - Foods that have a high saturated fat and total fat content should be avoided. Because both the mother's body and the baby need some fat in the diet to stay healthy, unsaturated fats can be used. Olive oil or canola oil when cooking are better choices than butter. Finally, make use of food labels to identify the type and amount of fat in the product.
• Eating a bedtime snack - Make sure this snack is high in protein and complex carbohydrates. This will help to maintain blood sugar levels throughout the night. Again, the doctor or dietician can provide information about an appropriate diet.

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