Dietary Guidelines for Women with Gestational Diabetes (of Those at Risk)

Avoid Sugar and Concentrated Sweets:

• No cookies, cakes, pies, soft drinks, chocolate, table sugar, fruits juices, fruit drinks, Kool-Aid, Hi-C, nectars, jams, jellies, syrup, honey
• Read labels: avoid foods containing sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, dextrose, honey, molasses, natural sweeteners, cornstarch, concentrated fruit juices

Avoid Convenience Foods:

• No instant noodles, canned soups, instant potatoes, frozen meals or packaged stuffing

Eat Small Frequent Meals:

• Eat about every 3 hours
• Include a good source of protein at every meal and snack. High-protein foods are low-fat meat, chicken, fish, low-fat cheese, nuts, peanut butter, cottage cheese, eggs, turkey

Eat a very small breakfast:

• No more than 1 starch/bread exchange
• No fruit or fruit juice
• Eat a protein

Choose High-Fiber Foods:

• Whole-grain breads and cereals
• Fresh and frozen vegetables
• Beans and legumes
• Fresh fruits (except at breakfast)

Lower Fat Intake:

• Buy lean protein foods: chicken, beef, turkey, ham, and fish. Limit lunch meat, bacon, sausage, scrapple, and hot dogs
• Remove all visible fat:
  • remove skin from poultry
  • trim fat from meat
• Bake, broil, steam, boil or barbecue foods (no frying)
• Use nonstick pan, vegetable oil spray or small amounts (1 to 2 teaspoons) of oil for cooking.
• Use skim or low-fat (1%) milk and dairy products.
• Eat boiled or canned legumes (not refried)
• Reduce added fat in the diet, such as butter, margarine, sour cream, mayonnaise, nuts, avocados, cream, cream cheese or salad dressings.

Back to Gestational Diabetes