General Gestational Diet Practices
As a rule of thumb, carbohydrates must be selectively eaten. The frequency and type of carbohydrates [6] must be considered before consumption. Healthy sources of carbohydrates should be consumed according to the doctor’s recommendation on portions and unhealthy sources must be avoided at all cost. Another healthy practice that must be included in your gestational diabetes diet is a food diary [7]. Also, taking logs of your blood sugar in the morning and between meals can help you know what’s healthy and unhealthy for your consumption.
Doctors recommend a calorie consumption of 300 calories, three meals, and 2-3 snacks per day. While eating smaller portions frequently can help you stabilize your blood sugar level [8]. Doctors recommend that your blood sugar level should be no higher than 95 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) before eating/fasting. No higher than 140 mg/dL one hour after eating, and no higher than 120 mg/dL two hours after eating.
Sometimes you may wake up with a high blood sugar level resulting from hormones released at night. Try taking a snack before bed or limiting your carbohydrate intake for breakfast. Add to this general guideline for gestational diabetes diet consumption of prenatal multivitamins, iron supplements or calcium supplements. This would supply the necessary vitamins and minerals to develop a healthy baby. Here are the details of gestational diet that you can follow: