All patients should be aware of the principles of good nutrition during pregnancy and should avoid excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates in their diet. An average weight gain of 12 kilograms is acceptable during pregnancy and suggestions for appropriate dietary intake is made below.

The diabetic diet should be a healthy diet which will help you achieve control of your diabetes and your weight. Your aim should be to maintain near normal blood sugar levels. Persistently elevated blood sugar levels can affect the growth of the baby in utero and cause problems during labour and delivery.

Glucose (sugar)

Glycaemic Index Factor describes the rate of release of glucose (sugar) from various foods. During digestion some carbohydrates are broken down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream. These foods are called Low Glycaemic Index foods. Some carbohydrates break down quickly during digestion and their blood sugar response is fast and they are associated with higher insulin levels. These foods are called High Glycaemic Index foods.

High G.I. food + Low G.I. food = Intermediate G.I. meal. Remember to include a low G.I. food in every meal.

Sweets and foods containing sugar can be eaten occasionally and only in small amounts.

Glycaemic Index Foods: Read food labels (look for Low G.I. symbol)

  Low G.I. Intermediate G.I. High G.I.

Drinks

 Apple juice*
Orange juice*
Pineapple juice*
Grapefruit juice
Cranberry juice*
So-Good soy
Milo
Sustagen		 Coca-cola
Fanta
Orange cordial

Vegetables

 New potatoes (canned)
Carrots
Sweet potato
Sweet corn		 Beetroot (canned) Parsnip
Pumpkin
Potato
Broadbeans

Diary Foods

 Skim milk
Full cream milk**
Low fat ice cream
Low fat yoghurt
Custard
Vitari
Yakult		 Full fat ice cream**
Condensed milk

* Indicates product without added sugar.
** Indicates foods high in fat.

 

  Low G.I. Intermediate G.I. High G.I.

Bread

 Burgen oatbran & honey loaf + barley
Burgen mixed grain
Burgen fruit loaf
Burgen soya & linseed
Multigrain 9 grain
Ploughman wholegr
Pumpernickel
Holsoms wholemeal with wheatgerm
Sour dough – rye
Sour dough – wheat		  Hamburger bun
Light rye
Pita bread
Rye bread
Crumpet
Croissants*		 Bagel white
Wonder white
Dark rye black bread
Gluten free bread
Lebanese white

Breakfast cereals

 All bran
Komplete oven baked
Guardian
Natural muesli
Porridge
Special K
Semolina
Mini wheats
Oatbran
Muesli – toasted*
Muesli – natural		 Fruit loops
Just right
Nutrigrain
Shredded wheat
Sustain
Vitabrits
Weetbix
Bran buds
Healthwise for bowel health		 Coco pops
Corn flakes
Mini wheats – black
Currant
Puffed wheat
Rice bubbles
Rice krispies
Sultana bran
Cheerios
Golden wheats

Crackers & Biscuits

 Oatmeal biscuits
Jatz biscuits
Rich tea biscuits		 Rye vita
Milk arrowroot
Shortbread*
Shredded wheatmeal		  Kavli
Rice cake
Water crackers
Sao crackers
Soda crackers
Morning coffee
Vanilla wafer

* Indicates foods high in fat.

 

  Low G.I. Intermediate G.I. High G.I.

Pasta & Rice

 Fettucini
Macaroni
Noodles (low fat)
Ravioli
Spaghetti
Tortellini
Pasta
Doongara rice
Basmati rice		 Arborio rice
Cous cous
Polenta
Taco shells		 Jasmine rice
Sunbrown quick
Brown rice
Calrose rice

Legumes

 Baked beans
Butter beans
Haricot beans
Lima beans
Dried peas
Lentils

Fruits

 Apples
Apricots – fresh (3)
Banana
Cherries (20)
Grape fruit
Grapes
Kiwi fruit
Mango – small
Oranges
Peaches
Pears
Plums (3 – 4)
Dried apricots		 Pineapple
Rock melon
Paw paw
Raisins
Sultana
Dried figs		 Water melon
Lychees
Dried dates

 

Fat

A diet high in fat increases your risk of obesity, coronary heart disease and diabetic complications. Attempt always to decrease fat intake to a minimum.

There is a very wide range of low fat products available. Choose these products rather than regular products. Low fat dairy products include:

  • Skim milk – e.g. Skinny milk, Physical Slim, skim milk powder
  • Low fat milk – e.g. Rev, Physical, Light Start
  • Low fat cheese – e.g. Devondale cheese (7 % fat), Cottage cheese (4 % fat)
  • Low fat yoghurt – e.g. Jalna
  • Low fat ice cream – e.g. Blue Ribbon Light
  • Use skim yoghurt in place of sour cream

Other ways to reduce fat intake:

  • Use lemon juice, vinegar, light or no oil dressing for salads
  • Spread margarine thinly on bread or toast
  • Trim off all visible fat from meat and chicken before cooking. Remove skin from chicken.
  • Decrease serving size of meats (120 gm per person). Use lean roast meat or chicken for sandwiches rather than processed meats such as salami, ham, strasburg, processed chicken.
  • Avoid frying meats and vegetables and avoid all deep fried foods.
  • Choose low fat cooking methods. Use a non-stick pan which requires only a light brush of oil. (Grill, steam, microwave, dry bake, boil, poach or dry roast).
  • Allow home made soups, stews and casseroles to cool, then remove fat before reheating.
  • Some take-away foods are high in fat. Eat them occasionally. e.g. pizza, meat pies, fish and chips.

Protein

The following protein foods do not contain carbohydrates and do not affect the control of your diabetes. Use low fat lean varieties for weight control. Do not fry.

  • Lean meats
  • Seafoods
  • Poultry
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Nuts

Free Foods

All vegetables except those listed under high glycaemic index column.

Beverages: Water, tea, coffee, cocoa, Clear soup, soda water, low kilojoule/diet drinks
Condiments: Herbs, pepper, tomato sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, salad dressing, spices and essences

Attention to dietary intake should always be combined with an appropriate exercise program especially when attempting to lose weight or maintain good blood glucose control in the management of gestational diabetes.