Receiving a gestational diabetes diagnosis during pregnancy can feel overwhelming and stir up feelings of confusion, fear, and concern. With all the excitement of expecting a baby, you're probably wondering how gestational diabetes will affect you and your baby. The good news is that adjusting your diet and lifestyle can help you effectively manage your blood sugar levels and support a healthy pregnancy. 

Let’s explore how a holistic, nutrition-focused approach to managing gestational diabetes can help you feel empowered, confident, and supported on your journey to motherhood.

What is Gestational Diabetes? 

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition that leads to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and glucose intolerance during pregnancy. It typically develops around the 24th week of pregnancy and women experience mild symptoms like, frequent urination or excessive thirst, or no noticeable symptoms at all. Women with gestational diabetes do not have diabetes before pregnancy, and for many, blood sugar levels return to normal after giving birth.

Causes and Risk Factors

During pregnancy, weight gain and hormones from the placenta (progesterone and estrogen) can reduce how sensitive your body is to insulin, causing insulin resistance. This makes it harder for your body to produce and use insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check. Insulin is what regulates your blood sugar, so when it’s not working effectively, sugar builds up in your bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Additionally, certain factors may increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy, including:

• Elevated BMI (25-40+)
• A diet high in processed foods
• Micronutrient deficiencies 
• Physically inactive
• High blood pressure
• History of heart disease
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Family history of insulin resistance and/or diabetes
• Advanced maternal age
• Belonging to certain racial and ethnic backgrounds, African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander.
• Prediabetes
• Previous birth to baby over 9 pounds 

Diagnosing and Testing

During your initial pregnancy appointments, your obstetrician gynecologist (OB-GYN) will screen for gestational diabetes by asking about your medical history to check for any potential risk factors. If you're considered 'high risk', your blood sugar will be tested early on. If no risk factors are identified, routine blood sugar testing is completed between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

When you reach that 24 to 28 week mark, you'll take an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This involves drinking a sugary beverage after fasting overnight, and then having your blood drawn an hour later. If your results are higher than normal, your OB-GYN will request additional testing.

This second test is a three-hour procedure. You'll drink another sugary drink, but this time your blood will be drawn at four different times: before drinking the beverage, and then every hour for the next three hours. Based on your results, your OB-GYN will determine if you have gestational diabetes.

Effects on Pregnancy

While women with gestational diabetes do not experience severe symptoms, the diagnosis can take a toll on a woman's mental health and quality of life. Some women may experience  self-blame, fear, sadness, and confusion, which is completely normal. The stress of adjusting to new dietary changes, regularly checking blood sugar levels, and managing the condition daily can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. There's also the worry about potential risks to the baby, along with the added financial strain of specialty foods and medical care. 

If gestational diabetes isn't properly managed, it can cause complications during pregnancy and lead to potential long-term health issues, such as:

• Excessive fetal weight gain (over 9 lbs), which can result in difficult labor, Cesarean birth, heavy bleeding after delivery, and vaginal tears. 
• Increased risk for the mother to develop type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Increased risk of developing preeclampsia.
• Increased risk of developing diabetes.

At Chiyo, we're here to support you in managing gestational diabetes with our evidence-based Prenatal Nourish Program to help nourish a healthy pregnancy. Our program supports fetus growth and reduces the risk of developing pregnancy-related symptoms and disorders through an antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free, gut-healthy, and low glycemic diet. We focus on key nutrients like folate, calcium, iodine, iron, and choline to support healthy pregnancy outcomes. 

Managing Gestational Diabetes

The first step in managing gestational diabetes is testing your blood sugar levels to make sure they stay within a healthy range. Your doctor will recommend using a blood glucose meter (glucometer) to check your blood sugar. A glucometer uses a small needle to prick your fingertip. Then, you'll place a drop of blood onto a test strip, insert the strip into the meter, and the screen will display your blood sugar level. You’ll need to check your blood sugar at certain times each day: when you wake in the morning (before breakfast) and one or two hours after meals

Blood glucose goals are:

• Before meals: 95 mg/dL or less
• One hour after meals: 140 mg/dL or less
• Two hours after meals: 120 mg/dL or less 

Nutritional Strategies

If you have gestational diabetes, it’s important to follow general pregnancy nutrition guidelines, which include:

• At least 175 grams of carbohydrates
• 71 grams of protein
• 28 grams of fiber
• Focus on monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, while limiting saturated fats and avoiding trans fats. 

When it comes to managing blood sugar levels, the key is to choose nutrient-dense carbohydrates and limit simple carbohydrates. Nutrient-dense carbohydrates come from whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. These foods contain fiber, which slows down digestion and prevents sharp spikes in blood sugar. Simple carbohydrates are processed and lack fiber, are digested rapidly, and cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. Examples of simple carbohydrates include candy, packaged baked goods, juice, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

It's also important to keep track of your total carbohydrate intake to keep your blood sugar levels stable. A registered dietitian can help you plan out your daily carbohydrate load across three meals and two or three snacks to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes. Chiyo's Prenatal Program offers a personalized nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian to discuss your health concerns and help you meet your goals.

Here are a few more tips to help manage your blood sugar:

• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Pair carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats to slow down carbohydrate digestion and keep your blood sugar levels stable.
• Limit carbohydrates at breakfast (15 to 30 grams or 1 to 2 servings), since insulin resistance is higher in the morning.
• Avoid foods with added sugars like cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, and high fructose corn syrup.

Important Nutrients

Certain nutrients can be especially helpful when managing gestational diabetes, such as: 

• Vitamin D: Lowerrs fasting blood sugar levels and improves insulin resistance. You can get vitamin D from foods like mushrooms, salmon, and sardines. 
• Magnesium: Reduces insulin levels. Sources include: legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens.  
• Probiotics: Supports glucose metabolism during pregnancy and can lower the risk of developing gestational diabetes. Probiotics are found in fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.

How Chiyo Can Help

At Chiyo, we're here to support you in managing gestational diabetes with our evidence-based Prenatal Nourish Program to help nourish a healthy pregnancy. Our program supports fetus growth and reduces the risk of developing pregnancy-related symptoms and disorders through an antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free, gut-healthy, and low glycemic diet. We focus on key nutrients like folate, calcium, iodine, iron, and choline to support healthy pregnancy outcomes. 

FAQs

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy when the body can't produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels properly.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy when the body can't produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels properly.

How common is gestational diabetes?

In the United States, up to 14% of all pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes.

Can I manage gestational diabetes with healthy eating?

Focus on a healthy diet including balanced meals with lean protein, fiber-rich carbs, and healthy fats. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Monitor carbohydrate portion sizes to keep blood sugar levels stable.

What foods should I avoid with gestational diabetes?

Limit refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages to prevent blood sugar spikes. Some examples include: white bread, juice, soda, candy, cookies. 

At what point in the pregnancy is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy. 

What are the postpartum recommendations for women with GDM?

Women with GDM should be tested for diabetes 4 to 12 weeks postpartum using nonpregnant OGTT criteria. Lifelong screening for diabetes should be performed at least every 3 years. 

In the United States, up to 14% of all pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes.

Can I manage gestational diabetes with healthy eating?

Focus on a healthy diet including balanced meals with lean protein, fiber-rich carbs, and healthy fats. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Monitor carbohydrate portion sizes to keep blood sugar levels stable.

What foods should I avoid with gestational diabetes?

Limit refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages to prevent blood sugar spikes. Some examples include: white bread, juice, soda, candy, cookies. 

At what point in the pregnancy is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy. 

What are the postpartum recommendations for women with GDM?

Women with GDM should be tested for diabetes 4 to 12 weeks postpartum using nonpregnant OGTT criteria. Lifelong screening for diabetes should be performed at least every 3 years.