Healthy Eating for Gestational Diabetes

Introduction

Gestational diabetes occurs in 5–8% of Australian women during pregnancy. It happens because the changing hormone levels in the body have altered the body's requirement for insulin. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born. However it does increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life. This information sheet gives advice on healthy eating and is to be read in conjunction with the Gestational Diabetes information sheet.

To effectively manage gestational diabetes, it is important to control your blood glucose levels by maintaining a healthy diet and doing regular moderate intensity physical activity in consultation with your doctor.

In this Section

• How healthy eating helps
• What foods should I eat?
• What can I drink?
• Can I use artificial sweeteners?
• Does it help to keep active?
• Suggested meal plan
• What about breast feeding?
• Am I at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
• What can I do to reduce the risk?

How can I access this information?

Download the PDF, or
Request the information sheet be sent out to you