Gestational diabetes is becoming increasingly common, so if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes – you’re not alone! Gestational diabetes is a condition characterised by high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This diagnosis means that now is the time for you to take action and make some changes to your diet. Here we provide some sample diets for gestational diabetes, as well as gestational diabetes recipes. These sample diets and recipes include low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates, without skimping on the vital nutrients required for the growing baby.

The sample diets for gestational diabetes provided below, should serve as just a starting point. You may find that you have greater success with gestational diabetes diets that are more structured or with tailor-made recipes. Always make sure that you consult closely with your health care professional before starting a new diet.

Although some weight loss plans offer diabetes diets, such as Medifast’s Diabetes Program, this is designed only for people with type II diabetes. The Medifast Diabetes Program is not recommended for managing gestational diabetes.

A Sample diet for Gestational Diabetes

A healthy diet for gestational diabetes is one that includes low GI carbohydrates, such as wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, pasta or low fat dairy products. The key to controlling blood glucose levels is to have meals at regular times, with controlled portions. Here is a sample of a healthy diet for gestational diabetes, according to Diabetes Australia guidelines.

Breakfast

• ½ cup of a high fibre low G.I cereal, such as untoasted muesli, bran, or rolled oats with low fat milk OR
• 1 – 2 slices of toast (wholegrain bread such as multigrain, soy & linseed) OR
• 100g low fat dairy product

Morning Tea

• 1 slice of toast with reduced fat cheese
• 1 serve of fruit

Lunch

• 2 slices of bread OR 2/3 cup cooked rice OR 1 cup cooked pasted
• with fish OR lean meat
• salad vegetables
• 1 serve of fruit

Afternoon Tea

• 1 cup low fat milk OR 100g low fat yoghurt
• 1 slice of fruit loaf OR 1 crumpet

Dinner

• 2/3 cup cooked rice OR 1 cup cooked pasta OR 1 cup sweet potato
• with fish OR lean meat
• 1 serve of fruit

Supper

• 100g low fat dairy product
• 1 serve of fruit

Avoid biscuits, cakes, pastries, chips, takeaway foods, and high sugar drinks such as cordial, or softdrink.

Gestational Diabetes Recipes

For a tasty snack, try this gestational diabetes recipe!

Roast Kumara Chips

• 600g sweet potato
• olive oil spray
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 200 C. Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
Peel potato and cut in half cross ways.
Use vegetable peeler to cut potato into thin strips.
Spread the strips into a single layer across both trays. Spray with oil and toss to coat.
Roast for 10 min, then turn strips and roast another 10 min. Allow to cool.
Mix chili powder and salt together. Sprinkle over chips.

Low Carb diet Plan

The low carbohydrate diet is for those who can’t afford to go onto an expensive weight loss program start losing weight but want the same results. I will start the series with a brief over view of what is involved with the diet and then follow it up with a 14 day diet plan so you won’t get sick of eating the same thing, day in, day out. With this knowledge you will also be able to pick out your own foods straight off the supermarket shelf for an almost unlimited amount of dinners and lunches.

One of the buzz topics of the last ten years has been the emergence of the popular low carbohydrate diets. These diets work by restricting the amount of carbohydrates that you consume by replacing them with high protein and high fat alternatives. The diet uses a lot of meat and soy products as well as heaps of green leafy veggies that are low in the ‘evil’ carbs. Only about 20 – 60g of carbs are actually consumed in an average persons food consumption on one of these weight loss programs.

You don’t need to pay for an expensive course, you can have your very own free low carb diet plan by being a little vigilant when at the supermarket. Looks for recipes that avoid breads and flours such as noodles. The vegetables that should be dominant include sprouts, lettuces, spinach, bok-choy, celery, radish, cabbage, mushrooms, avocado and cucumber. You want to avoid potato, beets, carrots, corn, parsnips, and squash.

Berries are a fruit that are great for a low carb diet and so is lemon and lime juice. Don’t restrict your fruit intake too much and if you do make sure you take a good multivitamin to help replenish the nutrients.

General Rules to Follow

1. Focus on meat and vegetables
2. Eat no more than 2 slices of bread per day.
3. Eat 1 to 2 serves of fruit per day
4. Once you are in a routine you can start to add in more low GI carbohydrates to your diet plan. (After the 14 days is up).

Breakfasts

• 2 eggs
• Small serve of cold meats such as ham
• 2 slices of cheese
• 1 vegetable (tomatoes, mushrooms, herbs)

Mix it up with:

Grapefruit or juice,a piece of fruit or the occasional pancakes (2) or slices of toast (2).

Lunches

Lunch 1:

• A serve of sardines, tuna, boiled egg, cold cuts, salami, chicken, kebabs, hard boiled eggs)
• 2 oz cheese (yellow, feta, cottage).
• Salad

Salad Ingredients:

• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Cucumber (or celery, green peppers, radish, onion)
• French Dressing

Lunch Option 2

Sandwich, pocket, pita, tortilla, wrap filled with salami, ham, cheese, chicken, egg etc plus salad with mayonnaise or pesto.

Dinners

• A serve of fish, mince, steak, pork chops, lamb chops, chicken, seafood, beef, pot roast.
• Serve with green leafy vegetables or a salad.
• Optional Additions: 2 pancakes (cheese, plain) or 2 pieces bread

Dessert

Single serve of fresh or baked fruit with cream, vanilla ice cream, mousse, yogurt.