Diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of certain health problems like high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), big baby leading to a difficult delivery and higher chance of needing a cesarean section. Hence, it is important for women with pre-existing diabetes before pregnancy, and those newly diagnosed during pregnancy (i.e. gestational diabetes) to control their blood glucose levels. This will minimise the risk of developing these problems.

There are three steps to manage diabetes during pregnancy, namely, blood glucose monitoring, diet and insulin (if blood glucose levels cannot be controlled by diet alone). Apart from controlling blood glucose levels, the diet should also provide adequate nutrition for the pregnant mother and her baby, resulting in appropriate weight gain similar to that for non-diabetic women.

The diet for diabetes during pregnancy is similar to the healthy diet recommended for all pregnant women, except for the regular distribution and consistent intake of carbohydrate-containing foods (e.g. rice and alternatives, starchy vegetables, fruits and milk) throughout the day.

In other words, you can have three meals and three snacks, with the same amount of carbohydrate-containing foods daily at each meal and snack.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no need for pregnant women to consume glucose or any other sugars for energy, as carbohydrate foods are digested into glucose by the body.

Hence, sugars and sweet foods are not recommended for pregnant women with diabetes, as they are high in carbohydrates, leading to high blood glucose levels, which are often low in nutrients and high in energy, leading to excessive weight gain.

The guidelines for the diet for diabetes during pregnancy can be summarised in the following table. Please see your dietitian for a meal plan specific to your needs.

Reference: HealthHub