How To Diet For Gestational Diabetes

If you get diabetes while you are pregnant, it is extremely important to learn how to diet for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually occurs during the second and third trimesters of a pregnancy. When a pregnant women gets diabetes, it causes her blood sugar levels to rise. Learning how to properly diet can help keep this condition under control.

1. Eat three meals a day. When you have gestational diabetes, it is important not to skip any meals and to add two to three snacks in between meals. It is also important not to eat too much food at one time, because doing this can cause the blood sugar levels to rise dramatically. Spreading out the meals and snacks throughout the day helps keep blood sugar levels stay balanced.
2. Don't eat foods that are high in sugar. Once you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you should stop eating deserts and other foods that are high in sugar. Even though fruits are normally consider healthy, you should only have one serving of fruit a day if you have gestational diabetes. Many people forget that they should also avoid fruit juice, because it is very high in sugar.
3. Don't over eat high carbohydrate foods. It is important to eat some carbohydrate foods for each meal, because they break down into glucose. However, eating too much at one time can cause glucose levels to rise too high. Breads, pastas, rice and cereals are all foods that contain a large amount of carbohydrates in them.
4. Double check the labels on foods that say "sugar free." Some foods that are sugar free contain sugar alcohol in them. Foods that contain these can cause you to become bloated, have gas or go to the bathroom too often. Also, some foods that say they are sugar free still contain a large amount of carbohydrates, so be sure to check the food label for carbohydrates as well as sugars.
5. Keep a food journal. Many people who have gestational diabetes don't realize how important it is to keep a food journal. Writing down all the food you eat will help you keep track of the amounts and what types of food you are eating. Showing your food journal to your doctor will allow them to give you ideas on how you can further improve your diet for gestational diabetes.