The news that you are suffering from diabetes leaves you to a new depression. Now there is a never ending question of what to eat and what not to eat? What is good for the baby may be bad for the diabetic pregnant mother.
If you are having the same dilemma, then you have reached your destination now. Here you will find some general guidelines to lower your blood glucose level. These are simply the general guidelines and can be tailor-made according to the changing needs and demands of the body.
Food is an essential instrument that one can use to control blood sugar levels. Here are some general guiding points of gestational diabetes diet.
You should eat a variety of foods, dividing the calories and carbohydrates equally throughout the day. This is very important to keep all meals balanced. It is recommended that a pregnant woman who is suffering from gestational diabetes must take three small sized meals and four snacks every day.
Never skip meals. There should be a consistency in the quantity and nutritional value of meals you eat each day. The blood sugar will remain consistent if the meals are evenly distributed throughout the day.
Take a very healthy breakfast. As the blood sugar level is normally out of whack in the morning. You should take a good amount of protein, a very small portion of carbohydrates and some fruits in the morning to keep the level in the healthy range.
Try to take foods rich in fiber, as they are absorbed in the blood at a very slow rate. Examples of this type of foods are fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, whole grain bread etc.
Reduce or if possible totally avoid the intake of soft drinks that contain sugar in it, as these foods quickly elevate blood sugar levels. Examples of this type are soda, flavored teas and deserts.
Limit your milk intake to the maximum of three glasses as milk contains lactose, a simple sugar. You should also slowly try to increase the activity level to keep the blood sugar levels at consistent range. If even after following the above mentioned guidelines you are unable to control your sugar levels it is advised to see an endocrinologist as soon as possible.