Unlike type 1<\/a> and type 2 diabetes<\/a>, gestational diabetes often goes away once your pregnancy is over. However, having gestational diabetes does increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gestational diabetes develops when pregnancy hormones cause insulin resistance<\/a>, raising blood glucose levels. Insulin<\/a> is a hormone produced by your pancreas and is needed to help glucose (sugar) enter your cells from your bloodstream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When your body doesn\u2019t use insulin properly, such as the case with insulin resistance and gestational diabetes, blood sugar accumulates and rises in your bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the placenta feeding your baby grows, certain hormones that can act against insulin are produced, further worsening insulin resistance. This typically occurs during weeks 20 and 24 of pregnancy, which is why most pregnant women are asked to be screened for gestational diabetes after 24 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n [bensnaturalhealthIinlineLeadGen id =”1″ event=”15 Food Blood Sugar eBook Download” image=”https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Ipad-15-Foods.png” title=”Get Your FREE Diabetes Diet Plan” content=”##15 foods to naturally lower blood sugar levels ##3 day sample meal plan ##Designed exclusively by our nutritionist”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n While any woman can develop gestational diabetes, certain risk factors increase your likelihood of getting gestational diabetes. Some of the known risk factors<\/a> are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gestational diabetes carries risks of complications for both the mother and the baby if it\u2019s not well-controlled during pregnancy. Some of the possible complications of gestational diabetes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n High blood sugar during your pregnancy can cause your baby to grow a lot. Babies who weigh nine pounds or more may be more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, have birth injuries, or need a cesarean section birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High blood sugar may increase your risk of early labor and delivery before your due date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Babies born early to mothers with gestational diabetes may experience respiratory distress syndrome, which makes breathing difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes babies of mothers with gestational diabetes have low blood sugar<\/a> (hypoglycemia<\/a>) shortly after birth due to high insulin levels in the womb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Untreated gestational diabetes can result in a baby\u2019s death either before or shortly after birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you shouldn\u2019t go on a restrictive diet during your pregnancy<\/a> to try to manage it. You must eat enough to support your nutritional needs as well as your baby\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbohydrates (carbs) have the most significant impact on your blood sugar levels. You can still eat carbohydrates if you have gestational diabetes. The most important thing about eating carbs is to eat moderate portions and keep your intake consistent throughout the day. A consistent carbohydrate diet helps to promote balanced blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simple carbs raise your blood glucose more quickly and can worsen blood sugar control<\/a>. Simple carbs are low in fiber and higher in starch and sugars. Examples of simple carbs include refined grains (white bread, white rice, white pasta, etc.), sugary beverages, and sugar-sweetened desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating protein with carbohydrates helps stabilize your blood sugar levels and helps make you feel full. For example, eating an apple with a slice of cheese is better for your blood sugar control than eating an apple by itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating protein with carbs can also help reduce your risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Low blood sugar is especially dangerous during pregnancy because you might feel dizzy and fall, which could hurt you and your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A gestational diabetes diet is similar to a diet for people with diabetes. It\u2019s similar to a Mediterranean diet<\/a> meal plan, which is a healthy way of eating for everyone, not just those with diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the foods to include in a gestational diabetes diet meal plan include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whole grains are a type of carbohydrate, but they fall under the \u201chealthy carbohydrate\u201d category. They are rich in fiber, a type of carbohydrate that doesn\u2019t raise your blood sugar level. The higher the fiber content, the less impact the food will have on your blood glucose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few examples of whole grains are oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread, bulgur, barley<\/a>, and whole-wheat pasta. Whole grains are also richer in protein than refined grains like white rice and white bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most vegetables are low carbohydrate and rich in fiber, so they don\u2019t raise blood glucose levels significantly. Vegetables are also a great source of vitamins and minerals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A gestational diabetes diet meal plan should include plenty of non-starchy vegetables such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nuts<\/a> and seeds are good sources of healthy unsaturated fats, fiber, and protein. Fat and protein don\u2019t raise blood sugar as carbohydrates do. You should aim to eat protein with all meals and snacks on a gestational diabetes diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Animal products are rich in protein and free of carbohydrates. Eating protein with carbohydrate foods can help balance your blood sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foodborne illness can be especially harmful during pregnancy. Be sure to cook fish and meat to the recommended temperatures and avoid raw meat or fish, like sushi. Deli meats should be heated until steaming to reduce the risk of listeriosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legumes like beans and lentils are a great plant-based source of protein and are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber can help ease pregnancy- and hormone-related constipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Foods to avoid on a gestational diabetes diet are those that are likely to cause sharp increases in blood sugar, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foods high in added sugar cause blood glucose spikes and should be eaten sparingly if you have gestational diabetes. Sweetened foods like candy, ice cream, cake, etc., are usually sweetened with sucrose (table sugar), corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup and can worsen blood sugar control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Refined grains are stripped of their nutrient- and fiber-rich parts, leaving behind a lower-fiber, lower-nutrient grain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n White bagels, flour tortillas, white bread, and white rice are just a few examples of refined grains that should be avoided on a gestational diabetes diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sugar is added to foods that might otherwise seem healthy, like yogurt, certain nutrition bars, and cereal. Check the nutrition facts label and try to avoid foods with more than five grams of added sugar per serving. Aim to keep your added sugar intake below 30 grams per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sugary drinks are the leading contributor of added sugar in most people\u2019s diets. Drinks like soda, sweetened teas, sugary coffee drinks, energy drinks, and many more are packed with sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is an example one-day meal plan for a gestational diabetes diet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Staying active can help promote healthy blood sugar levels, but it also helps keep you fit for a healthy pregnancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Low-impact exercises like walking and swimming are great choices to reduce the strain on your joints. Aim for 30 minutes of activity most days of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your healthcare provider recommends checking your blood sugar levels at home, be sure to do it as often as recommended. This can help you identify trends and make lifestyle changes<\/a> to meet blood sugar targets better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As difficult as it can be to get good quality sleep during pregnancy, try to prioritize it. Sleep deprivation worsens insulin resistance, which means your blood sugar levels might suffer from a poor night\u2019s sleep<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gestational diabetes is a high-risk diagnosis during pregnancy, but it can often be managed with diet and lifestyle changes. Eating a diet low in refined carbs and sugars and including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, legumes, nuts, seeds, and high-quality protein can help you reach your blood sugar goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRisk factors for gestational diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Complications of gestational diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Excessive birth weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Early (preterm) birth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Serious breathing difficulties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stillbirth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"gestational-diabetes-symptoms\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Gestational-diabetes-symptoms-1024x256.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nConsiderations for your diet with gestational diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Foods to eat on a gestational diabetes diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"insulin](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/insulin-diet-foods-to-eat-and-avoid-1024x217.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Whole grains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Non-starchy vegetables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Nuts & seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Meat, chicken, eggs, & fish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Legumes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Foods to avoid if you have gestational diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1-46-1-1024x256.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Sugary treats, candy, etc.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Refined grains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Other foods with added sugar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Sugary drinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Meal and snack ideas for gestational diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Breakfast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Lunch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Dinner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Snacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Other lifestyle changes to help manage gestational diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Be physically active<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Monitor your blood glucose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get enough sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"risk](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/What-are-the-chances-of-having-gestational-diabetes-again-1024x256.jpg\")
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