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Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects your blood sugars in pregnancy.  One of the key steps in managing your blood sugar is making diet modifications.  However, with an abundance of information on the internet, it is often confusing to know what to do.

Here are some tips from our dietitian, Christina McGeough:

• Once you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes it is important to start taking your blood sugars at home. Your home readings will help you and your dietitian tailor and tweak your diet to get your blood sugars in the target ranges.
• Most women with gestational diabetes need to test their blood sugars 4 times per day to understand how the quality and portions of carbohydrates in their meals influence their blood sugars. It’s not just the P’s and Q’s of carbs, but to meet your calorie needs you need to get enough protein and fat in your diet too!
• Sometimes keeping a food diary is helpful especially if you are having frequent blood sugar spikes and do not know why.
• Work with a dietitian to help you budget and balance your meal and snack carbohydrate needs. No two people are the same and individualizing your meal plan is key to helping you achieve your blood sugar and weight gain goals in pregnancy.
• Plan by reading food labels and reviewing menu selections at your favorite restaurants so you can prepare what modifications you might need to make with your favorite foods.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!

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Maternal Fetal Medicine blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!