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    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

    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.
    For comprehensive nutrition information, go to our South Asian nutrition page.

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