Gestational diabetes is having high blood sugar level at the time of pregnancy; hence, a gestational diabetes diet is needed to protect the mother and the baby.

Like any other cases of diabetes (type 1 and type 2 diabetes), strict compliance to a gestational diabetes diet is a must for pregnant women to avoid complications.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes may or may not be evident. If symptoms occur, it may include fatigue, extreme thirst, blurred vision, frequent infections, and increased urination. Normally, this is detected by the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy.

Although this type of diabetes can be considered as not life-threatening, problems may occur in the baby like jaundice (skin turns yellow and change in the whites of the eyes), birth trauma, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or big size at birth. On very rare occasions, the fetus dies at the later part of pregnancy.

The glucose level requires constant monitoring of the doctor or health care professional. Self-monitoring is also advisable. Normally, the glucose level normalizes after delivery but the mother is already vulnerable to type 2 diabetes.

Here are some guides for a gestational diabetes diet after taking into consideration that 1 gram of carbohydrate is equivalent to 4 calories, more or less:

1. Protein – If the normal calories for non-pregnant women is 1800 calories per day, this will increase to 2100 calories per day in pregnant women starting from the 14th weeks to the date of delivery. Keep a 10% to 20% intake of calories coming from lean meats, skinless poultry, fish, legumes, or non-dairy products. This is equivalent to 420 calories based on the 20% of the 2100 calories or 105 grams of carbohydrates (420 calories divided by 4).

2. Fat – Dietary fat should not be more than 30% of calories per day. This will help in weight loss. Sources of fats are butter, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, nuts, or seeds. Based on the 2100 calories per day, this is around 630 calories (2100 multiplied by 30%) or 157 grams of carbohydrates (630 divided by 4), more or less.

3. Carbohydrates – This should be around 50% to 60% of calories per day. Sources include whole grains breads, peas, beans, starchy foods, vegetables, and cereals. Again, using the 2100 calories per day as basis, this is 1260 calories (2100 multiplied by 60%) or 315 grams of carbohydrates (1260 divided by 4).

4. Sugar – Pregnant women tend to over indulge their cravings for foods with high amount of sugar like ice cream, soft drinks, candy, cakes and pies. They should also avoid foods with artificial sweeteners.

As a whole, the dietitian or health care professional monitoring the progress of gestational diabetes is in a better position to plan the gestational diabetes diet.

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