Diet for Gestational Diabetes: What to Eat & What to Avoid

Introduction

Pregnancy is a beautiful period that brings a lot of joy in a woman’s life. But as the body adapts to help grow and nurture a baby, monitoring the mother’s health as well as the developing baby becomes important to avoid any complications during pregnancy. In this article, we will be discussing the diet for gestational diabetes.  

Gestational diabetes is a condition that is associated with pregnancy. Following a healthy diet and lifestyle before and during pregnancy is crucial to lowering the odds of fluctuating blood sugar levels. Routine monitoring of blood glucose and blood pressure and prescribed medications help the expecting mothers sail smoothly throughout the pregnancy term.

Before we explore a detailed diet for gestational diabetes, let’s first dive deeper into some questions associated with it.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes mellitus, also known as pregnancy diabetes, is a condition where a woman develops diabetes or high blood sugar levels during her pregnancy. One of the common types of diabetes in women, gestational diabetes, may occur irrespective of whether the expecting mother was diabetic before the pregnancy or not.

However, it usually occurs in those who have never had diabetes before. Gestational diabetes during pregnancy also does not mean you will still have high sugar levels after your delivery. For many women, it goes away soon after delivery. But unfortunately, if diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the chances of you developing type 2 diabetes are higher in the future.

When Does Gestational Diabetes Occur During Pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes commonly occurs during the end of the second trimester, specifically between the 24th and the 28th weeks of pregnancy but may also present earlier or later. 

Generally, at the end of the second trimester, it is common for your diabetologist to do a gestational diabetes test as a precaution, even if the first blood sugar test was normal^[1].

 If left untreated or undiagnosed, gestational diabetes can increase the risk of your child developing diabetes in the future. So it is better to follow the doctor’s advice and manage it on time so that the risk and complications with gestational diabetes can be minimised during pregnancy and delivery. In addition, a dietitian-prescribed diet for gestational diabetes can greatly help in controlling the mother’s blood sugar levels and keep the baby safe.

How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect the Baby?

The expecting mother, as well as her baby, can both experience complications with gestational diabetes. Here are some ways pregnancy diabetes can affect your baby:

• Higher than normal birth weight: High blood sugar levels during pregnancy can lead to their babies growing bigger than normal. This is one kind of complication with pregnancy diabetes that can lead to birth injuries or an emergency C-section delivery as the baby will be less likely or unable to smoothly pass through the birth canal.
• Premature birth: This is closely linked to a higher birth weight where the woman would be forced to deliver earlier than the due date due to the baby’s large size.
• Breathing difficulties: A serious complication of gestational diabetes where the babies shortly after birth may experience respiratory distress syndrome – a critical condition that hinders breathing.
• Low blood sugar levels: Although gestational diabetes is linked to high blood sugar levels, some babies may experience the opposite just after birth. Extremely low blood sugar levels may lead to babies having frequent seizures. However, monitored feeding sessions and providing glucose solutions intravenously from time to time can be used to treat low sugar levels during birth.
• Obesity in the future: Babies born to gestational diabetic mothers are more likely to develop obesity and also type 2 diabetes later in their lives.
• Stillbirth: Untreated and unmonitored gestational diabetes during pregnancy can ultimately result in the death of the baby either before or soon after birth.

How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect the Mother?

While we have seen how gestational diabetes in pregnant women poses risks to the baby, it can also affect the expecting mother. Let us look at some complications of gestational diabetes that can harm the mother:

• High blood pressure: Gestational diabetic mothers are at risk of developing high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication that usually develops during the 20th-week mark or even after delivery. If untreated, it may cause high blood pressure, headache, blurring of vision, protein in the urine, fluid retention and organ damage that can threaten the lives of both the mother and the baby. This might cause growth problems in the child as it grows. Although the causes of pre-eclampsia are not conclusive, it is usually tied to problems with the placenta.
• Delivery via C-Section: While not really a complication of gestational diabetes, due to the increased birth weight and size of the baby, mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes are more likely to have a C-section delivery as opposed to a normal vaginal delivery.
• Diabetes later in life: A history of gestational diabetes can cause the mother to develop the condition again during another pregnancy. There is also the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

Unfortunately, the exact cause of gestational diabetes is not yet known. The hormonal changes during pregnancy play a significant role. But from what we know, the cause of gestational diabetes is not due to the lack of insulin but rather due to the production of several other hormones during pregnancy that reduce the effectiveness of insulin in the body or may increase insulin resistance. During pregnancy, as early as conception, the body starts to produce large amounts of specific pregnancy hormones that help with the baby’s development^[2] .

So what is the role of insulin in our body? Its job is to direct blood glucose to the cells where it is then converted into energy. During pregnancy, it is normal to develop slight insulin resistance as glucose in the blood also gets passed on to the baby. Increased insulin resistance, on the other hand, can cause blood glucose levels to rise unusually, causing gestational diabetes.

What are the Symptoms and Signs of Gestational Diabetes?

Many pregnant women do not experience any unusual symptoms or signs of gestational diabetes. This is why we often let gestational diabetes go undetected. Gynaecologists usually perform a gestational diabetes test at the end of the second trimester, which gives them information about the presence or absence of the condition.

On the other hand, some pregnant women may complain of mild symptoms that closely resemble other forms of diabetes. Some common signs of gestational diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Fatigue
• Dryness in mouth
• Excessive urination

When to See a Doctor?

While all pregnant women are generally tested for gestational diabetes irrespective of the presence of symptoms, the moment you notice any of the above symptoms during or before weeks 12-16, it is vital that you consult a diabetologist for an accurate diagnosis. Yes, every pregnant woman feels tired.! But to be on the safe side, it is better to get a check-up from your doctor^[3].

If gestational diabetes is diagnosed, then your doctor, apart from frequent check-ups, will recommend medication, diabetic care supplements, light exercise and dietary modifications, depending on your case, to help regulate your blood sugar levels.

To Summarize

• Gestational diabetes is a condition where a woman develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy due to hormones that hinder normal insulin resistance.
• The complications of gestational diabetes for the baby and mother are plenty and can be severe if left untreated or unmonitored.
• The symptoms of gestational diabetes are very similar to general diabetes; however, pregnant women may not experience any symptoms.
• Gestational diabetes can be treated by lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet and exercise.

Foods for Gestational Diabetes

The best diet for gestational diabetes is one that is balanced and includes appropriate carbohydrates, proteins and fats recommended to maintain optimum blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels often tend to spike when too much processed sugar is consumed or if carbohydrate-rich foods are not properly spaced out throughout the day. A dietician or a nutritionist will help you understand the gestational diabetes diet you require based on your blood sugar level readings. 

1. Carbohydrates

Some healthy carbohydrate foods for gestational diabetes that you can include in your diet are:

• Whole grains: In your diet plan for gestational diabetes, include foods rich in whole grain cereals like oats, millet, barley, quinoa and sorghum. They are high in fibre and have a low glycemic index. They support healthy bowel movements and help reduce your risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the long run.
• Leafy vegetables and legumes: Including vegetables like beans, peas, lentils, corn, spinach, lettuce, etc, in your diet chart for gestational diabetes, have been shown to regulate blood sugar levels while providing essential nutrition to you and your baby’s needs for healthy development.
• Brown rice: A great substitute for white rice, brown rice has a slightly lower glycemic index and retains more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than white rice. Include brown rice in moderate amounts for lunch or dinner as part of your diet.
• Fruits that are low in sugar: Some fruits like lemon, orange, guava, and green apple can help boost your recommended vitamin C intake while also satisfying your sweet tooth in a healthy way.

2. Protein

Women who are pregnant are recommended to eat at least 2 to 3 portions of protein-rich foods every day. Some excellent sources of protein that you can include in your vegetarian diet plan for gestational diabetes include:

• Dal Sprouts: These can include steamed or boiled mung dal sprouts and white channa sprouts, all of which apart from protein, are also rich in fibre.
• Paneer (or cottage cheese): Paneer is known to aid in weight loss as well as help promote bone health and is recommended for the treatment of diabetes.
• Lentils: Not just low in calories but also rich in folate and iron, lentils are an excellent protein-rich food to include in your diet and are known to greatly support heart health.
• Yoghurt: Yoghurt and curds contain good bacteria that are essential for optimum gut health. They function to improve digestion and are a recommended source of protein for diabetics.
• Eggs: Eggs are a great low-carb food that can be included in a non-vegetarian diet plan for gestational diabetes. While the egg white boasts a higher protein content, the yolk contains healthy fats that do not affect blood sugar levels. They, in fact, have a very low glycemic index and are an ideal food option for diabetics.
• Poultry: Chicken is another recommended option for patients with gestational diabetes. Being high in protein and low in fat, if made in a healthy way, is a great addition to the diet chart for gestational diabetes.
• Fish – Fish and seafood, in general, are high in protein and low in fat. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids that can help promote brain health during pregnancy.

3. Fats

• Nuts: Nuts like almonds, walnuts or peanuts provide essential proteins and fats that help boost heart health. They are great snacks for gestational diabetes patients as they are low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats, protein and fibre.
• Seeds: Seeds like pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds and sesame seeds are great snacks for gestational diabetes patients and are high in healthy fats. You can either consume them raw or roast them (without oil) for more crunch.
• Olive Oil: High in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, olive oil, if used in limited amounts, is shown to have many health benefits, including reducing chronic inflammation that is associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Avocado: Another great fruit that is high in healthy fats and all the essential vitamins needed for optimum health. A low-carb food with a low glycemic index, it has been known to make people feel fuller longer without the unhealthy calories.

In conclusion, the gestational diabetes meal plan should include a balance of slow metabolising carbohydrates, rich protein sources and healthy fats that will not only help keep your blood sugar in check but also your weight. If you still feel hungry during the day, choose to indulge in some snacks for gestational diabetes, such as seasonal fruit, roasted seeds, mixed nuts, boiled chickpeas or even a glass of lime juice or buttermilk. However, these snacks for gestational diabetes must also be consumed in limited amounts. Portion control is key for optimum health. An ideal diet for gestational diabetes is eating small meals 6 – 7 times a day in regular 2 – 3 hours intervals. This will help improve metabolism function, which will, in turn, improve blood glucose regulation and ensure you and your baby are getting the adequate nutrition needed for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

To Summarize

• A gestational diabetes diet for pregnancy is one that is balanced and nutrient-rich with low GI carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.
• Carbohydrate sources like whole grains, legumes, brown rice and low-sugar fruits are some of the best foods for gestational diabetes as they are slow metabolising preventing a spike in blood sugar levels
• Paneer, curds, chicken, fish, lentils and eggs are great sources of protein and should be included in the gestational diabetes meal plan. It is important to also include healthy fats like nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocado in your diet plan for gestational diabetes, as they contain a plethora of essential vitamins and minerals that boost heart health and brain function.

Foods to Avoid with Gestational Diabetes

During pregnancy, you are bound to have some cravings. Some may be normal, others may be quite unusual. But if you are dealing with gestational diabetes, you have to be careful with what your body consumes..

Diet plays an important role in the management of gestational diabetes, the mother and her baby must receive the right nutrition that comes from a balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats. However, there are some food groups a patient with gestational diabetes must closely limit or completely exclude from her diet for her safety as well as her baby’s. Let’s explore in more detail some Indian foods to avoid with gestational diabetes:

1. Soft Drinks

Soft drinks, although tasty and refreshing on a hot summer’s day, are high in sugar and artificial flavours. As much as possible, soft drinks and any other sugary drinks should be eliminated from a gestational diabetes diet. Substitute soft drinks with other natural refreshing drinks like coconut water, lime juice (without sugar) or spiced buttermilk. These will not only ensure your sugar levels are in check but will also aid in digestion.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol, in any case, should be completely avoided during pregnancy. Even a glass of wine with the lowest alcohol content has the potential to cause birth defects and congenital disabilities in unborn babies, and so should be avoided at all costs.

3. Sweets

Ice cream, cakes, pastries, chocolates, jams, and rasgullas, make for the tastiest of desserts; however, they should be consumed with strict limitations or even eliminated (if possible) from your gestational diabetes diet chart. For the obvious reason, sweets contain high amounts of added sugar and can worsen the effects of gestational diabetes. If you do feel like going after some dessert after dinner, try opting for whole fruits or homemade healthy dry fruit laddos. 

4. Processed Foods

Processed foods like artificially sweetened breakfast cereals, packaged fruit juices, sauces, salad dressings, flavoured yoghurt, and processed deli meats are a strict no-no in a diet for gestational diabetes due to their high sugar and fat content. Apart from the sugar, they also have been known to have little to no nutritional content. As much as possible, try to incorporate natural foods like whole fruits, home-set curd, unflavoured oats, freshly cooked daliya, upma, etc, in your gestational diabetes meal plan. Natural foods will help provide you with the nutrition you need as well as maintain your energy levels throughout the day.

5. Fried Foods

Another group of foods to avoid with gestational diabetes is fried foods. These include potato chips, french fries, bajjis, pakodas, murukkus, samosas, vadas and basically any food that has been deep-fried. Oil and butter are high in saturated fats and have the ability to increase bad cholesterol or LDL levels in the blood.

6. Foods Naturally High in Sugar or Starch

Foods like white rice, pasta, white bread, naans, potatoes and high-sugar fruits like custard apples, pineapples, candied dry fruits and overly ripe bananas contain a high glycemic index which means they can quickly raise your blood sugar levels upon consumption. If it cannot be avoided completely, these foods must be consumed in moderation to prevent sudden and unnecessary blood sugar spikes. In your Indian gestational diabetes diet chart, try substituting white rice with brown rice or quinoa, try avoiding pasta and substitute white bread with whole-grain or multigrain chapati. While these substitutions are healthier, choosing fresh fruits and vegetables instead while consuming these carbohydrates in moderation every day is still advised.

To manage gestational diabetes, reach out to a qualified doctor or dietitian who would be able to help you with designing a menu for a gestational diabetes diet suited to your condition. Alternatively, choose to plan your meals in a way that includes a daily balance of complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats while limiting desserts and other processed foods as much as possible.

To Summarize

• Some foods to avoid with gestational diabetes include soft drinks, sweets, alcohol, processed foods, fried foods and foods naturally high in sugar or starch.
• Alcohol should be eliminated entirely during pregnancy as it can cause birth defects and congenital abnormalities in an unborn baby.
• Starchy foods like pasta and white bread can be substituted with brown rice, quinoa and multigrain or whole-grain chapati for more nutritional content.
• While complex carbohydrates are an essential part of a balanced diet plan for gestational diabetes, rice and bread can still be consumed in moderation along with protein-rich food, fresh fruits and vegetables.

A Sample 7-Day Indian Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan

Do not panic if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it can be managed well with the right diet and doctor’s treatment. Honestly, there is no strict menu for a gestational diabetes diet. The meals you choose every day must be balanced well in complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. Everyone may have a different diet that they are used to, so the goal here will be to find the best foods for gestational diabetes in their preferred cuisine. For example, some excellent protein sources in a gestational diabetes food chart for vegetarians include paneer, soya chunks, boiled chickpea salad (sundal) and curd. On the other hand, protein in a non-vegetarian gestational diabetes diet menu may include grilled chicken, grilled fish, egg and other lean meats.

Here is a sample 7-day Indian gestational diabetes diet chart for vegetarians:

This is what a 7-day Indian non-vegetarian gestational diabetes healthy diet plan would look like:

A menu for a gestational diabetes diet, as shown above, can include a variety of foods in every nutrient category. The key here is to make sure to eat something every 2 – 3 hours and also exercise portion control during every meal. For more gestational diabetes menu ideas you can reach out to your healthcare professional or consult a dietitian who would be able to guide you based on your symptoms or condition.

In addition, for best results, incorporate the following lifestyle changes (unless advised otherwise):

• Water: High blood glucose levels can cause dehydration from time to time. Moreover, drinking water at regular intervals can help remove excess glucose in the blood through urine. Therefore, as part of your gestational diabetes diet plan, consider drinking at least 2 – 2.5 L of water every day.
• Exercise: Supplement your diet with light exercises. Walking, yoga or stretching help promote metabolism and digestion and also aid in weight loss. Exercise is also shown to release stress and aid in heart health. While proven beneficial during pregnancy overall, it is still advised to consult your gynaecologist before taking up any form of exercise.
• Sleep: Ensure you are getting 7.5 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep every night. Take afternoon naps and rest whenever you feel like it. Research has shown a strong link between lack of sleep and an increase in blood sugar levels for gestational diabetes patients.
• Regular check-ups: The key to managing gestational diabetes is to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels. In addition to following your diet for gestational diabetes, make sure that you don’t miss your scheduled visits to the doctor to get a check-up. Regular check-ups can help avoid complications of pregnancy with diabetes in the long run. If you have a glucometer at home, you may check your blood sugar once a week and track your progress in a diary. This will also help your doctor identify accurate treatment plans based on your readings.

To Summarize

• While drawing up a gestational diabetes diet menu, choose healthy Indian food items that fall under the complex carbs, protein and healthy fats category, like oats, paneer, mixed nuts, etc.
• For more gestational diabetes menu ideas, you can reach out to your health professional or consult a qualified dietitian who will be able to recommend the right Indian gestational diabetes diet suited to your symptoms and condition.
• Supplement your diet with 2 L of water daily, light aerobic exercise and 7 – 8 hours of sleep.
• Don’t forget to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor your blood sugar levels and overall progress during pregnancy.

Tips for Healthy Eating with Gestational Diabetes from Mothers

Gestational diabetes is becoming a common condition during pregnancy many Indian women face. Gestational diabetes is manageable through lifestyle changes like diet, exercise and medicines in certain cases. If you aren’t convinced by our assurances, why don’t you hear from some mothers who have shared the same journey that you are on now? In this special chapter, we will explore some tips and tricks for healthy eating from real mothers during their gestational diabetes journey.

When I was pregnant, many people told me – “Now that you’re pregnant, it’s time you get to eat anything you want!” or “Now you can eat for two!”. Little did I know later that those words of wisdom were far from the actual truth. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 25 weeks, and my first reaction was guilt – “I can’t believe I did this to my baby”. My doctor then put me on a daily pregnancy routine and a diet that I can now say really helped me throughout my third trimester! In the end, I gave birth to a healthy baby boy with no pregnancy complications whatsoever. My blood sugar levels eventually normalised soon after the birth of my son. It was only then that I came to know the importance that diet and exercise play in pregnancy. – Rucha

Here are some gestational diabetes diet guidelines that helped Rucha manage the condition:

• 3 little meals and three healthy snacks every day instead of 3 large meals and one snack.
• Keep breakfast the smallest and lightest meal of the day. It ideally is eaten within 1 – 2 hours of waking up.
• Avoid going longer than 10 hours between the last snack of the day and breakfast the next morning.
• Drink a minimum of 2 L of water a day to stay hydrated.

“Timing, eating and testing were key to me managing gestational diabetes”, says Rucha. She recommends testing right when you wake up, 1 hour after breakfast (after the last bite), 1 hour after lunch and 1 hour after dinner. “These testing periods are crucial”, she continues. “It tells you how efficiently your hormones are regulating metabolism and the absorption of glucose.”

At 26 weeks, I felt like I received the worst news of my life. My family has no history of diabetes, so I couldn’t believe it when I received my gestational diabetes diagnosis. My doctor told me to closely pay attention to my diet. My diet was very high in carbs, so she recommended I include more protein sources in my diet for gestational diabetes. I slowly started correcting my diet, and after 38 weeks, I gave birth to the most beautiful and healthy baby girl. My doctor feared I might need an emergency C-section, but my Abigail was born perfectly healthy via normal vaginal delivery! – Sharon

Sharon’s doctor recommended she balance her carb-heavy diet with protein sources. Here are some dietary tips she swears by from her journey with gestational diabetes.

• “Always have protein with your carbs. I found that a piece of chicken or paneer or eggs used to bring my level down, so make sure you’re eating enough protein.”
• “I started walking for 30 minutes every morning, and I noticed a massive difference in my energy levels and health overall. If you are able, I recommend you include some form of light diabetes exercise in your pregnancy routine. It will do you wonders.
• “Throughout my journey with gestational diabetes, I maintained a food diary to track my intake. It also helped me monitor what foods my body accepted and what it rejected. It helped me find the foods that stimulated my metabolism and lower my blood glucose levels and helped spark interesting gestational diabetes diet menu ideas after that.”
• “I always had a glass of warm low-fat milk before bed. It helped me sleep well.”

Diet and exercise really helped me defeat gestational diabetes. To be honest, it was very hard at first to follow a strict diet plan for gestational diabetes that my doctor had prescribed, but I started to see the benefits later on. There was a time early on when I was following my diet but not noticing a change or a drop in my blood sugar levels. I later discovered that stress and anxiety equally directly impacted those readings. Now as part of my nightly routine, I either walk for 30 minutes on my treadmill while listening to my favourite music or do 20 minutes of yoga and 10 minutes of meditation. Doing exercise before bedtime not only helped me bring down my stress and anxiety levels but also helped me sleep undisturbed through the night. – Raina

Here are some words of advice that Raina recommends to expectant mothers on their gestational diabetes journey:

• Portion control is important because, as part of your diet for gestational diabetes, you are eating 6 – 7 times a day. Sometimes it helps to eat on a smaller-sized plate as it will visually trick your mind into thinking you have eaten your fill.
• As much as possible try and choose foods with a low glycemic index. These foods will not only prevent sugar spikes but will also keep you fuller longer.
• Sometimes if you feed hungry out of your eating window, try drinking a glass of water instead. Hunger can often be confused with thirst.
• If you struggle with stress and anxiety, seek help from a counsellor or therapist who will recommend ways in which you can manage it. Stress and anxiety are never good for diabetics.

To Summarize

• Women with gestational diabetes can also deliver normal and healthy babies.
• Since every individual’s body is different, tracking your daily dietary intake can help monitor the foods that your body accepts and rejects in terms of lowering your blood sugar levels.
• Stress and anxiety have been shown to adversely impact blood glucose levels in gestational diabetes patients and can be managed by therapy, exercise, yoga for diabetes and meditation.

Also Read: Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in India

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gestational diabetes [Internet]. Diabetes. 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 20]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/gestational-diabetes.html
2. American Diabetes Association. Gestational diabetes: causes and treatment [Internet]. [cited 2025 Feb 20]. Available from: https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes
3. Maternal Health Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Concept Information Systems (P) Ltd. National Guidelines for Diagnosis & Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2025 Feb 20]. Available from: https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/programmes/maternal-health/guidelines/National_Guidelines_for_Diagnosis_&_Management_of_Gestational_Diabetes_Mellitus.pdf

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.