Gestational diabetes happens in pregnant women

who previously did not have diabetes, but now

have high blood sugar (glucose) levels.
Carbohydrates are the food source that gives our
bodies glucose.
Insulin is a hormone that normally works to bring
glucose, into the cells. In pregnancy the placenta
may produce hormones that dont allow insulin to
do its job.
Make healthy food choices now, monitor
carbohydrate intake, and get regular physical
activity to help avoid the development of type II
diabetes in the future.

Vegetarian Diets and Gestational Diabetes

Vegetables should be half of your plate at each
meal. Even though they contain carbohydrates,
veggies are high in fiber and do not cause a
drastic increase in blood sugar levels.
One quarter of the plate should be protein, and
the other quarter should be a starch, or fruit
and starch mix.
Carbohydrates are found in:
rice, pasta, breads, and
other grains
beans and legumes
milk, soy milk, and
yogurt
fruit and fruit juices
sweets, baked goods,
ice cream
starchy vegetables like
potatoes, corn, squash
and peas

Maintaining good blood glucose control is important for you and your baby


















Carbohydrate Counting will help you stay in charge of your blood glucose level.

1 carbohydrate serving = 15 grams of carbohydrate.

Many people eat 3-5 carbohydrate choices at meal times, and 1-2 carbohydrate choices per
snack. To figure out servings of carbohydrate in a food using the nutrition facts label you can follow
these easy steps:
1. Check the standard serving size on the label
2. Check the grams of total carbohydrate (this is the amount of carbohydrate in one serving)
3. Divide grams of total carbohydrate by 15 to get the number of carbohydrate servings in 1
standard serving, 15 grams of carbohydrate = 1 carbohydrate choice
You can use this information to figure how much of the food you should eat.






Check your blood glucose level as recommended by your doctor.
Ideally levels should be within:

Before a meal (preprandial):

95 mg/dl or less
1-hour after a meal (postprandial): 140 mg/dl or less
2-hours after a meal (postprandial): 120 mg/dl or less
A well balanced vegetarian or vegan diet delivers many health benefits and can help
in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Vegetarian diets can be high in
fiber that help maintain good blood glucose control. Soy products, eggs, beans, and
nuts are good sources of protein. Focus on whole foods high in fiber like vegetables,
fruits, and whole grains. Ideally limit or avoid highly refined, processed foods.
For more information check out
the American Diabetes
Association website
diabetes.org and these
publications

References
1. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nutrition Care Manual: Carbohydrate Counting For Vegetarians with Diabetes.
Version current 2014. Internet:http://www.nutritioncaremanual.org/client_ed.cfm?ncm_client_ed_id=126 (accessed
5/20 2014).
2. American Diabetes Association. Meal Planning for Vegetarian Diets. Version current 2014.
Internet: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/meal-planning-for-vegetarians/ (accessed
5/15 2014).
3. American Diabetes Association Gestational Diabetes. Version current 2014. Internet: http://www.diabetes.org/are-
you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/gdm.html (accessed 5/15 2014).
4. Anonymous Position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada: Vegetarian diets. J Am Diet
Assoc 2003;103:748-65.
5. Barnard ND, Katcher HI, Jenkins DJ, Cohen J, Turner-McGrievy G. Vegetarian and vegan diets in type 2 diabetes
management. Nutr Rev 2009;67:255-63
6. Khazrai YM, Defeudis G, Pozzilli P. Effect of diet on type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review. Diabetes Metab Res
2014;30:24-33.
7. Oregon Health & Science University Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center. Diabetes: Educate Yourself. Version
current 2014. Internet:http://www.ohsu.edu.liboff.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/diabetes/educate-yourself/ (accessed
5/21 2014).

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