Manage gestational diabetes with a healthy diet

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, when the body cannot produce enough insulin to manage the mother's blood sugar levels. It currently affects as many as 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK, and puts the mother at higher risk of type 2 diabetes in later life.

If you develop gestational diabetes your baby is more likely to be 'big for its gestational age'  because of excess glucose (sugar) crossing the placenta into their bloodstream. The sooner the condition is detected and controlled, the lower the effect is likely to be on your pregnancy and baby's health.

The best protection against gestational diabetes is to follow the blood sugar balancing advice. This includes regular exercise and eating a healthy diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fats, refined grains, sugar and salt. The golden rules of blood sugar balancing:

1. Eat protein with every meal and snack
2. Eat every 3-4 hours
3. Choose high-fiber complex carbohydrates and avoid refined carbs as much as possible.

Diabetes UK also offers advice on how to eat if you are at risk of developing or have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes.

Vitamin D is used for insulin protection and supplementation has been shown to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby in women with gestational diabetes.

Food sources of vitamin D include:

• Oily fish
• Red meat
• Egg yolks
• Mushrooms
• Peppers and chilli peppers

Vitamins B, C, D and K and the minerals zinc, chromium and magnesium all play vital roles in glucose management. Be sure to include foods from the micronutrients table that are good sources of these vitamins and minerals.

This amazing spice can control blood glucose levels in a similar way to metformin (a medicine that helps control blood sugar levels). You can take cinnamon as a supplement or add it to your food daily. It's delicious in drinks (chai latte, hot chocolate or coffee) and both sweet and savoury foods - from granola to curries. 

Information provided by specialist nutritional therapist: Rosie Letts Nutrition.

If you've recently been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and you're struggling to balance your blood sugar levels, we can help. We have a 4-week Blood Sugar Reset programme that is personalised to meet your specific health needs and lifestyle. With one-to-one coaching, you'll be guided to make small changes to your lifestyle that bring your blood sugar levels into balance quickly and sustainably - as Lauren found:

"Working with Iona was a game changer during my pregnancy. After being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I was anxious about my health and my baby’s wellbeing. Iona helped me transform my mindset and approach to food and exercise. She showed me how to enjoy what I eat in moderation, swap out unhealthy options and make time for movement after meals, which improved my sugar readings. Thanks to her guidance I saw positive changes in my health and even my baby's measurements, which was really reassuring. Iona's support was invaluable, and the habits I developed during my pregnancy have continued to benefit me post-birth. I highly recommend her!" Lauren C.

Click here to book a free 30-minute consultation to better understand how the programme can work for you.

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice, and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. New Life Classes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.