HTML Preview Diabetic Meal Plan page number 1.
FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
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FACT SHEET FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Gestational Diabetes Meal Plan
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs
during pregnancy. If you have gestational diabetes, you
and your developing baby are likely to have high blood
glucose (too much glucose — or “sugar” — in the blood).
is can cause problems for both of you during the
pregnancy, at birth, and in the years to come.
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to help control your
blood glucose and lower health risks. Following a meal plan
is one of the most important parts of your treatment.
Your doctor or other healthcare provider (registered
dietitian or diabetes educator) will work with you to
develop a personalized meal plan. is handout provides a
blank plan for you to complete and use — and the
information you need to make the most of it.
Meal plan basics
Meal plans for gestational diabetes are built around a
few basic ideas:
• Carbohydrates matter. All foods contain some
combination of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Fat and
protein aect your blood glucose over many hours, but
carbohydrate aects it much faster. For this reason,
you’ll need to regulate your intake of foods that are rich
in carbohydrate (“carbs”). Your healthcare provider will
show you how — and your meal plan will help you stay
on track.
• Nutrition matters. More than ever before, you need to
make healthy food choices. Nutritious foods support
your baby’s growth and development, help control your
gestational diabetes, and keep you feeling good. Your
meal plan supports healthy choices.
• Timing and portions matter. Controlling your
gestational diabetes requires controlling the pattern
of your eating. Your meal plan gives you targets for
when to eat and how much to eat.
Following your
meal plan can
help you control
your gestational
diabetes, nourish
your growing baby,
and keep you
feeling good.
Common questions about
gestational diabetes meal plans
Which foods are considered carbohydrates?
For your meal plan, only a few types of foods are counted
as carbs — starches, fruits, dairy, and non-starchy
vegetables. The Food Finder chart on page 3 gives
examples and portion sizes for these types of foods.
Should I aim for a very low carb diet — like the
Atkins diet?
No. You (and your baby) need carbohydrates to stay
healthy. Follow your meal plan to know when and how
much carbohydrate to include in your meals and snacks.
Do I need to count calories?
It depends. Some women with gestational diabetes need
to count calories, but many others don’t. Your meal plan
will list all of the targets you need to aim for — and your
healthcare provider can answer any questions.
How do I know if my eating plan is working to
control my gestational diabetes?
A healthcare provider will show you how to test your
blood glucose several times a day. Your testing results will
show how well your gestational diabetes is controlled and
whether your treatment should be adjusted. You’ll also be
checked during your regular prenatal visits.