Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes generally results in few symptoms however, it does increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, depression, and requiring a Caesarean section. Babies born to mothers with poorly treated gestational diabetes are at increased risk of being too large, having low blood sugar after birth, and jaundice. If untreated, it can also result in a stillbirth. Long term, children are at higher risk of being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes.

Prevention is by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising before pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is treated with a diabetic diet, exercise, and possibly insulin injections. Most women are able to manage their blood sugar with diet and exercise. Blood sugar testing among those who are affected is often recommended four times a day. Breastfeeding is recommended as soon as possible after birth.

  • Eat protein with every meal.
  • Include daily fruits and vegetables in your diet.
  • Less than half of your calories should come from carbohydrates.
  • Thirty-five percent or less of your diet should be made up of fat.
  • Limit or avoid processed foods.
  • Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating.

If you have gestational diabetes, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet may help you manage your symptoms without needing medication. In general, your diet should include protein plus the right mix of carbohydrates and fats. Too many carbohydrates can lead to spikes in your blood sugar.

 

What foods should you avoid?

  • fast food
  • alcoholic beverages
  • baked goods, such as muffins, donuts, or cakes
  • fried food
  • sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sweetened beverages
  • candy
  • very starchy foods, such as white potatoes and white rice.

Listen To What My Patients Say

  • Sankalp Shah
    I have been living in US/Canada for the last decade and working in Diabetes- so as my mum's control deteriorated I began to worry anticipating comorbidities. I strongly believe that the right diet is crucial for bringing control to T2 patients. Knowing fully well that patient adherence is strongly linked to the patient understanding I was looking for a credible dietitian with the ability to explain concepts to someone like my mother (very basic understanding of the disease state and limited attention span). This is when my colleague, a former president of the ADA recommended that I take my mum to see Shilpa in one of my trips to Mumbai. Shilpa Joshi, RD explained the basic diabetes principles, the impact of Carbs on Glucose levels, and gave her a diet based on her glucose readings that were simple, flexible and very local. My mum still goes to her for quarterly follow-ups and has seen better results. I would strongly recommend anyone to Shilpa
    Sankalp Shah
  • Suniana More
    I was having GDM around 6th month of pregnancy and I was referred to Joshi ma'am for diet as I was not willing to take medicines to control sugar. The diet she prescribed was easy to follow and with 10days the sugar was normalized. I continued the diet plan till my delivery. It helped me to Maintain the weight too.
    Suniana More