By: Meg Davis, MPH, RD, LD, CDE
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Blood sugar control can help keep you and your baby safe. If your blood sugar is high, your baby’s blood sugar will also be high. This extra sugar can be stored as fat. Then, your baby can be born larger than normal & require a C-section for delivery.
Healthy eating and physical activity can help with blood sugar control. If your blood sugar is still high, then you may need medication to help with blood sugar control.
Healthy Tips for Blood Sugar Control
- Eat small, frequent meals & snacks every 3-4 hours. Do not skip meals. Eat breakfast every day.
- Avoid sugary foods & beverages.
- Be active at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week (as long as your doctor has said activity is safe for you in your pregnancy).
- Choose low-impact activities that are comfortable & enjoyable:
- Walking, swimming, & dancing
- Group exercise classes—aerobics, water aerobics, yoga, cycling, etc.
My Goals for a Healthy Pregnancy
| Blood sugar goals | • Fasting: Less than 95 • 2 hours after meals: Less than 120 |
| Nutrition | • 2 carb servings (30g) at breakfast & snacks • 4 carb servings (60g) at lunch & dinner • Avoid sugary beverages |
| Activity | • 30 minutes/day |
Low Blood Sugar
If your blood sugar is less than 60…
- Drink 1 cup of milk or 1/2 cup of juice
- Eat a snack with carbohydrate (ex: cracker pack, sandwich, granola bar, etc.)
High Blood Sugar
If your blood sugar is more than 200…
- Call your doctor.
- Drink water & take a walk.
Sample Day
| Breakfast at 7-8 AM |
2 carbohydrate servings or 30 grams of carbohydrate FREE foods: eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, & cheese |
| Snack at 10 AM |
2 carbohydrate servings or 30 grams of carbohydrate FREE foods: meats, cheese, colorful vegetables, & salad |
| Lunch at 12-1 PM |
4 carbohydrate servings or 60 grams of carbohydrate FREE foods: meats, cheese, colorful vegetables, & salad |
| Snack at 3-4 PM |
2 carbohydrate servings or 30 grams of carbohydrate FREE foods: meats, cheese, colorful vegetables, & nuts |
| Dinner at 6-7 PM |
4 carbohydrate servings or 60 grams of carbohydrate FREE foods: meats, cheese, colorful vegetables, & salad |
| Snack at 9 PM | 2 carbohydrate servings or 30 grams of carb WITH PROTEIN Example: sandwich or cereal with milk |
Foods with Carbohydrates
Foods with carbohydrates affect your blood sugar. You & your baby need carbohydrates, but you do not need too much of them at one time. Too many carbohydrates at one time can raise your blood sugar.
One serving of carbohydrate = 15 grams
- Breads, grains & starches
- 1 slice of bread
- 1/3 cup rice or pasta
- 1/2 cup dried beans, peas, corn, or mashed potatoes
- Milk & yogurt
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup yogurt
- Fruit
- 1 small piece
What Can I Drink?
- Drink 8-10 cups of water per day.
- Avoid regular soda, juice, sweet tea, sports drinks, fruit drinks (kool-aid or lemonade), & other sugary drinks.
- Water is best but if you need some flavor, you can drink…
- Diet or zero soda
- Unsweetened tea, coffee, or kool-aid with sugar substitute
- Sugar-free sports drinks
- Sugar-free powders added to water
[Updated: 4/8/2020]