Gestational diabetes causes a rise in blood sugar, and therefore it is very important to pay attention to the quality of food that is eaten during this period, so choose the appropriate gestational diabetes diet, so that this period passes safely without problems or complications.

Gestational diabetes diet

You must know what is prohibited and permitted in the gestational diabetes diet, in order to prevent any possible complications from occurring, and therefore we will learn in more detail what a food menu should include and what it should be free of, as follows:

Carbohydrates in the gestational diabetes diet

• Less than half of the calories you eat should come from carbohydrates.
• High-fiber, whole-grain carbohydrates are healthy choices, and these types are called complex carbohydrates.
• Try to avoid eating simple carbohydrates, such as potatoes in general, french fries, white rice, candy, soda and other sweets, because they cause blood sugar to rise quickly after eating these foods.
• Vegetables are good for your health and blood sugar, so eat plenty of them.
• The amount of carbohydrates in food is measured in grams, and you can learn to count the amount of carbohydrates in foods.

Examples of foods that contain fiber and carbohydrates:

• Whole grain biscuits and bread.
• Whole wheat breakfast cereal.
• Brown rice and whole-wheat pasta.

Vegetables in the diet for patients with gestational diabetes

• Attention should be paid to eating fresh vegetables, and frozen vegetables can be eaten, but without preservatives, sauces, or adding salt and fat.
• Pay attention to green and dark yellow vegetables, including broccoli, lettuce, peppers, carrots and spinach.

Eat 3 to 5 servings of vegetables daily, and one serving of food equals:

• 340 grams, any cup of green or leafy vegetables.
• 1 cup or 340 grams of cooked or uncooked leafy green vegetables, chopped
• 1/2 cup or 170 grams of chopped vegetables, cooked or raw.

What fruits are useful for gestational diabetes?

Fruits are important in the diet, and they are a compensation for sweets and sugars that must be reduced. In general, attention must be paid to:

• Eat the fruit instead of drinking it as juice, to give your body the fiber.
• Pay attention to citrus fruits, including oranges and grapefruits.
• Drink fruit juice without sugar and do not overdo it.
• In general, fresh fruits and juices are better than canned or frozen ones.

Eat 2 to 4 servings per day, one serving equals:

• 1 whole fruit of medium size (such as bananas, apples, or oranges).
• 1/2 cup (170 grams) of chopped, frozen, canned or cooked fruit.
• 3/4 cup equivalent to 180 ml of fruit juice.

The amount of protein in the gestational diabetes diet

Protein is important to the body, and includes various options, including:

• Poultry and fish with skin removed.
• A small amount of beef or veal.

You should also take care of getting rid of the fat in the meat, and it is preferable to avoid the method of frying, and in general you can eat 2 to 3 servings of protein, which is equivalent to the following:

• 55 to 84 grams of cooked meat, poultry and fish.
• 1/2 cup (170 grams) of cooked beans.
• 1 egg.
• 2 tablespoons, or about 30 grams, of peanut butter.

Milk and dairy

Eat 4 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products per day, as milk is rich in calcium and protein that is important for the body, and one serving equals:

• 1 cup is equivalent to 240 ml of milk or yogurt.
• 42 grams of natural cheese.

And you should take care that the milk or yogurt is low-fat or fat-free, and avoid eating yogurt with added sugar or manufactured sweeteners.

Foods that lower blood sugar for pregnant women

There are some foods that can help maintain the level of sugar in the blood by a lower percentage, compared to other foods that raise it, and among these foods that lower blood sugar, bread made from whole grains, or whole oats, or brown rice, and lentils can also be introduced to your system. Diet, these foods contain fibers that maintain the level of sugar in the blood.

Gestational diabetes contraindications

There are some prohibitions that should be avoided during pregnancy for women with gestational diabetes, including:

• Simple and uncomplicated carbohydrates, including processed and light foods and breakfast cereals.
• Sugary and sweetened drinks such as soft drinks.

Important tips when following the gestational diabetes diet

When you have gestational diabetes, you will have to pay attention to the type of food you eat, which are:

• Eat fruits and vegetables.
• Eat moderate amounts of protein and healthy fats.
• Include moderate amounts of whole grains, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables in your diet.
• You should eat three small or medium-sized meals and one or more snacks each day, and don’t skip meals or snacks.

Does gestational diabetes diet reduce weight?

It is assumed that the aim of the diet is to reduce the rate of weight gain, especially if women were obese before pregnancy. only yourself.

Does walking reduce gestational diabetes?

Doing some sports activities, including walking, is useful during pregnancy, to maintain the level of sugar in the blood, so it is recommended to walk in general, and the doctor can tell you the amount that suits your condition.

At the end of the article, and after knowing the diet for gestational diabetes and the diet to get rid of excess weight, you must, dear, turn to the doctor to determine the foods that are suitable for you and your fetus.