Gestational diabetes does not automatically rule out fruit or other favorite foods. The better question is how much to eat, when to eat it, and how to fit it into a day that keeps blood sugar steadier. A clinician or dietitian can help adjust the plan for each stage of pregnancy.
Gestational Diabetes Diet Recommendations
1. Reasonably Control Energy Intake
Mothers with gestational diabetes still need sufficient energy to compensate for sugar loss in urine and the baby’s needs. Energy needs are calculated based on pre-pregnancy standard body weight. Generally, during the second and third trimesters, energy supply is 30-38 kcal per kilogram of body weight daily, with a total daily energy of 1800-2200 kcal.
2. Increase Protein Intake
Mothers with gestational diabetes should limit carbohydrates and fat intake while appropriately increasing protein intake.
3. Choose Low-Fat or Skim Milk—Regular Milk Contains Saturated Fat
Pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes can drink appropriate amounts of milk. Regular milk contains certain fats, which mothers with gestational diabetes should not consume in excess. Low-fat or skim milk is recommended to help control weight and regulate glucose and lipid metabolism.
4. Flexible Snacking to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes
For “pregnant women with gestational diabetes,” while controlling total energy, they can adopt the approach of eating more frequent meals with smaller portions—having several small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals, allocating some energy for snacks between meals.
Generally, snack times can be chosen at 9-10 AM, 3-4 PM, and 1 hour before bedtime. Snack foods can include fruits (when blood sugar is well-controlled, appropriate amounts are fine), and low-sugar vegetables (such as cucumber, tomato, lettuce).
A bedtime snack mainly supplements glucose in the blood to prevent nighttime hypoglycemia. Whether to have a bedtime snack depends on individual blood sugar control—if blood sugar levels are low or normal, a snack can be added; if levels are high, there may be no need. High-protein foods like milk, dried tofu, and peanuts are good bedtime snack choices.
5. Eat Foods Rich in Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber slows carbohydrate absorption and reduces blood glucose levels, helping mothers with gestational diabetes control blood sugar. Additionally, dietary fiber increases satiety, helping control pregnancy weight.
6. Limit Salt Intake
Excessive salt enhances amylase activity, promoting starch digestion and absorbing free glucose in the small intestine, which raises blood sugar levels and worsens the condition. Therefore, daily salt intake for mothers with gestational diabetes should be kept below 4 grams.
Gestational Diabetes Diet Foods and Habits to Avoid
1. Don’t Limit Fat Intake Unreasonably
The energy from fat should account for about 25% of total dietary energy. Reduce animal fats including solid butter, animal oils, and fatty meats.
Choose low-fat protein foods such as fish, chicken, and lean pork. You can also eat small amounts of nuts rich in unsaturated fatty acids daily.
2. Avoid Excessive Sweets That Cause Blood Sugar Fluctuations
Sweets contain large amounts of sucrose and glucose, such as white sugar, honey, chocolate, ice cream, mooncakes, and sweet drinks. These foods cause carbohydrates to be quickly absorbed, causing sharp and sustained blood sugar rises. Long-term consumption also leads to obesity.
Staple foods like rice, noodles, and steamed buns, although containing carbohydrates, are polysaccharides. They break down gradually in the body and eventually become glucose to supply energy.
These foods are digested and absorbed slowly in the gastrointestinal tract, causing much less blood sugar rise than eating the same amount of sweets. So “sugar” moms should avoid eating large amounts of sweets.
3. Don’t Avoid All Sweet Things
Many mothers with gestational diabetes don’t dare eat “sweet” foods. Actually, “sweet” foods are not entirely equivalent to “carbohydrates.” Besides monosaccharides and disaccharides like glucose, fructose, and sucrose, there are also non-sugar sweeteners like saccharin, xylitol, aspartame, and maltitol.
These sweeteners can increase food sweetness without adding energy, so mothers with gestational diabetes can eat them with confidence.
4. Don’t Avoid Fruits—They’re Not All Sugar Bombs
Fruits contain abundant vitamins, dietary fiber, and minerals that benefit mothers with gestational diabetes. The sugars in fruits include glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Fructose doesn’t require insulin for metabolism, so mothers with gestational diabetes can eat appropriate amounts of fruit when blood sugar is under control.
If fasting blood sugar stays below 7.8 mmol/L and 2-hour post-meal blood sugar stays below 10 mmol/L, mothers can appropriately eat fruit between meals.
5. Don’t Eat Unlimited Plant Oils
Some mothers believe plant oils are beneficial due to their unsaturated fatty acids and don’t need to be controlled. However, plant oils are still fats with high energy content. Without control, they’re easy to exceed the daily total energy allowance. Therefore, plant oil intake should be limited to 20 grams daily.
6. Don’t Restrict Water Intake
Mothers with gestational diabetes drinking more is actually a sign of water deficiency in the body—a protective reaction. Restricting water intake doesn’t treat diabetes; it can worsen the condition and cause ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar syndrome, which is very dangerous. Only patients with severe kidney dysfunction or edema need to moderately control water intake.
Tip for Stable Blood Sugar—Tomato Bitter Melon Juice
Why recommended: Bitter melon stabilizes blood sugar and improves insulin function; tomatoes contain lycopene, tomatine, glutathione, and other components that regulate blood sugar.
Ingredients: 200g tomato, 50g bitter melon.
Seasoning: Appropriate lemon juice.
Instructions
- Wash tomatoes, remove stems, scald with boiling water, peel, and dice. Wash bitter melon, remove seeds, and dice.
- Put the prepared ingredients into a juicer, add appropriate drinking water, and blend. Add lemon juice to taste.
Daily Energy and Nutrient Calculation Guide
Standard weight (kg) = Height (cm) – 105
Daily total energy for diabetic patients based on standard weight
① Resting state: 83.7-104.6 kJ (20-25 kcal) × standard weight
② Light physical labor: 104.6-125.5 kJ (25-30 kcal) × standard weight
③ Moderate physical labor: 125.5-146.4 kJ (30-35 kcal) × standard weight
④ Heavy physical labor: 167.4-188.3 kJ (40-45 kcal) × standard weight
In total energy, carbohydrates account for 45%-60%, protein 15%-20%, and fat 25%-35%. Pregnant mothers with gestational diabetes need about 200 kcal more energy daily than regular diabetic patients.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner energy distribution is 1/5, 1/3, and 1/3 respectively, with the rest for snacks or hunger——such as milk, whole wheat bread, coarse grains, and nut snacks.
This article is from “What to Eat During Pregnancy for Healthy Fetal Development” published by the Electronic Industry Press, edited by Shi Wenli, Deputy Chief Nutritionist at the Clinical Nutrition Department of China Rehabilitation Research Center Beijing Boai Hospital and member of the Beijing Clinical Nutrition Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.
Blood sugar control during pregnancy is important. Check out [Healthy Recipes] for blood sugar control meal plans!
For personalized advice about gestational diabetes, calcium needs, or child behavior concerns, follow up with your obstetrician, pediatrician, or registered dietitian.
Who this is for
- Pregnant readers diagnosed with gestational diabetes
- Readers learning how to plan meals and snacks
- Families supporting blood sugar monitoring
What to do
- Split carbohydrates across meals and snacks.
- Pair carbs with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Check blood sugar as advised and keep a food log.
Warning signs
- Repeated high readings
- Marked fatigue or dizziness
- Reduced fetal movement
- Symptoms that suggest dehydration or poor control
When to see a doctor
See your obstetric team if blood sugar stays above target or if you need medication adjustments.
FAQ
- Can I still eat fruit? Often yes, but portion size and timing matter.
- Is diet enough for everyone? Not always; some people need medication too.