With gestational diabetes, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it correctly. This leads to a buildup of glucose (sugar) in your blood.
High blood sugar levels put you at risk for health problems, including:
Weight gain. You’ll gain weight because your body uses extra calories to make up for the glucose your cells don’t absorb. If you’re overweight to begin with, you’re at greater risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension).
To reduce your risk of complications while you’re pregnant:
Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources. Choose foods low in fat and sugar, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit processed meats such as hot dogs and sausage; choose lean meats like chicken breast instead. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice concentrates; limit milk products to 2 cups (16 ounces) per day. Eat smaller portions throughout the day rather than three large meals — this helps regulate glucose levels better than eating less food at one time does.
Fruits for gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It can be controlled if you follow a diet chart and take proper care of yourself. The goal of your diet should be to keep your blood sugar levels in check and increase the intake of nutrients.
Here are some fruits that you can eat in moderation:
APPLES
If you are suffering from gestational diabetes, apples are one of the best fruits for you. They help control blood sugar levels and reduce chances of complications like high blood pressure, heartburn and constipation.
AVOCADO
Avocados are also an excellent source of healthy fats that control cholesterol levels and help maintain good heart health during pregnancy. They also protect against heart disease later in life. Avocado contains folate which helps prevent birth defects in babies born to women with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Add avocado to salads or use it as a topping on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise or butter to increase its nutritional value without adding calories or fat into your diet plan!
Fruits are the best for diabetic patients. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber and other minerals that help control blood sugar level in your body. These fruits are low on calories and high on nutrients, which make them a perfect choice for gestational diabetes patients as well.
Here are some of the fruits that can be included in your diet to control diabetes:
Apple: This fruit is a good source of fiber and contains low amount of carbohydrates. It also helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body. It is also an antioxidant which helps protect you against free radicals.
Grapefruit: This fruit is rich in vitamin C and potassium along with other essential nutrients like folate, thiamine and niacin which help control blood sugar levels. In addition, grapefruit helps lower triglycerides levels in your body, thus reducing the risk of heart diseases caused due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Kiwi: This fruit contains more than 20 different kinds of minerals including potassium, calcium and magnesium which help regulate blood pressure levels in the body. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that protect you from various infections during pregnancy including skin infections or fungal infections like candida infection or thrush which may occur due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels
There are certain fruits that help to control blood sugar levels. One can include these fruits in their diet to prevent diabetes during pregnancy.
Here are some of the best fruits for gestational diabetes:
Banana
Berries
Apples
Pears
Grapes
Oranges
Kiwi fruit
Watermelon
If you have gestational diabetes, you may be wondering what foods are safe to eat. The good news is that there are plenty of options.
The key to managing your blood sugar is to eat small meals and snacks throughout the day, rather than three large meals. This will help keep your blood sugar levels steady and help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It will also keep your energy levels up and prevent hunger-related cravings.
For breakfast, try eating whole-grain cereal with fruit or yogurt. For lunch or dinner, try lean meat with vegetables or a salad with low-fat dressing on the side. Snacks can include nuts, fruit cups or whole-grain pretzels with peanut butter.
If you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, talk to your doctor about creating a personalized meal plan for you and your baby that includes these healthy foods:
While you can eat most fruits, you need to be careful about which ones. Some are high in sugar, while others have lots of fiber or protein.
Fruits to Eat
Apples
Apricots
Blueberries
Mangoes
Blackberries
Pineapple
Grapefruit
Cranberries (no sugar added)
Lemons (no seeds)