Nutrition Guide for Gestational

Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

What is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only develops during
pregnancy. Diabetes means that your blood sugar, also called blood
glucose is too high.

Managing GDM
Blood Sugar Goals
Aim to keep your blood sugar below these levels:
Time Blood Sugar Level
Before a meal 95
1 hour after a meal 140

How GDM is Managed

 Maintain a healthy weight
 Physical activity – goal is 150 minutes per week of moderate,
aerobic activity
 Good nutrition – focusing on carbohydrate intake
 Insulin therapy – safe for baby and controls blood sugar levels
Nutrition for Gestational Diabetes
Goal: Finding the balance of what you and your baby need, while
keeping your blood sugar under control
Which Foods Increase my Blood Sugar?
All carbohydrates increase blood sugar, but they can be found in
different food groups
 Starches – bread, cereal, starchy vegetables
 Milk and some dairy
 Fruit and fruit juice
 Desserts, sweets, and regular pop
Action Tips for managing GDM
 Eat smaller, more frequent meals
3 meals a day with 3-4 snacks in between
 Do not skip meals because this is not good for your blood sugar
 Incorporate a protein, fat, and vegetable at each meal to stabilize
your blood sugar and promote fullness for a longer period of time
Carbohydrate Counting
To best control your blood sugar, try to follow the chart below.
1 carbohydrate serving = 15 grams of carbs
Meal/Snack Grams of Carbs Servings of Carbs
Breakfast 15-30 grams 1-2 servings
Morning snack 15-30 grams 1-2 servings
Lunch 45-60 grams 3-4 servings
Afternoon snack 15-30 grams 1-2 servings
Dinner 45-60 grams 3-4 servings
Evening snack 30 grams 2 servings
Total 175 grams 11-12 servings
 How Specific Foods Affects your Blood Sugar
Carbohydrate Foods Non-Carbohydrate Foods
Raises Blood Sugar Stabilizes Blood Sugar Has Little/No Effect on
Blood Sugar
Pasta / noodles Proteins Vegetables
Chicken
Beef All non-starchy vegetables (see
Fruit and fruit juice Pork next page for list)
and regular pop Turkey

Fish – try to get 2-3 servings of

Bread, tortillas, pita fatty fish per week (salmon,
tuna, sardines) Fats and Oils
Vegetable oil
Butter/Margerine
Grains: rice, oatmeal, barley, Eggs Salad dressings
wheat, quinoa Avocado
Nuts and Seeds
Cheese, cottage cheese
If eaten in excess, fats can cause
Breakfast cereal weight gain, however they are still
Tofu important for you and your baby

Peanut/Almond butter Beverages

Crackers
Water
Diet pop/drinks
Unsweetened tea
Starchy vegetables: corn, potato,
Nuts and Seeds
yams

Condiments
Herbs, spices, salt, pepper, garlic,
Milk and yogurt lemon juice, soy sauce, vinegars,
mustard, ginger
Added sugar:
white, brown, honey, maple
syrup
List of Non-Starchy Vegetables
These vegetables are considered “free” foods and can be eaten as
much as you want because they are nutritious, will increase fullness,
and have no effect of your blood sugar.
Asparagus Eggplant
Beets Green beans
Broccoli Leafy greens
Brussel sprouts Lettuce
Cabbage Mushrooms
Carrots Okra
Celery Onions
Cucumber Peppers
Cauliflower Tomatoes
Spinach

Reading a Nutrition Label

Identify both the serving size and the

total carbohydrates.

This label says there is 16 grams of carbs

in 1 serving of this food item, which is a
slice of bread in this example.

Try to eat more foods that are higher in

fiber and lower in sugar.