Gestational Diabetes
South Asian women are considered to be at a high risk for developing gestational diabetes, a condition which is dangerous for both the mother and child. Learn more about gestational diabetes and guidelines for women diagnosed with the disease.
- About Gestational Diabetes
- Managing Gestational Diabetes
- Postpartum Care
- Gestational Diabetes Resources for South Asians
Nutritional Guidelines
Women with gestational diabetes should receive nutritional counseling from a registered dietitian who can advise them on meeting the nutritional needs of pregnancy while maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.
Listed below are basic nutritional guidelines for managing gestational diabetes.
- Keep daily food and blood glucose records.
- Eat three small meals and three small snacks every day (two to three hours apart).
- Do not skip meals or snacks.
- Eat breakfast no more than 10 hours after going to bed.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Limit coffee to two cups daily.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages.
- Use artificial sweeteners in moderation.
- Avoid fruit, fruit juice, milk and instant hot or cold cereal at breakfast.
- Avoid eating sweets (mithai) like candies, burfi, gulab, jamoon and ladoo.
- Gain weight slowly.
- Exercise 15 to 20 minutes after every meal. Refer to our South Asian fitness page.
- Eat high-fiber foods. Refer to the South Asian fiber page
- Manage stress, which increases blood glucose levels. Refer to our South Asian stress page for more information.
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