Learning healthful eating, physical activity and stress management skills

The goal of managing gestational diabetes is to keep your blood glucose levels within a normal range for pregnancy. Food, physical activity and stress all affect your blood glucose level and the health of you and your baby.

Your body converts much of the food you eat into glucose. Insulin moves glucose from your bloodstream into your cells, where it is used for energy.

Remember: with gestational diabetes, your body has trouble using insulin properly.

Eating habits and food choices affect blood glucose levels. Not eating at regular times and not eating often enough can cause dips and peaks in your blood glucose. Eating too much food at once can cause blood glucose to go too high.

Eating regularly and following the tips in this section will help you control your blood glucose and help you and your baby stay healthy.

Healthful eating habits

Choose a variety of healthful foods.

• Eat three meals and three snacks during the day.
• Eat something every two to three hours.
• Do not skip meals or snacks.
• Eat a small breakfast.
• Do not eat too much or too little. Your baby has constant nutritional needs and counts on you to eat the right amount of healthful foods.