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Carbohydrate
Management
Diet
recommendations for diabetes management during pregnancy usually
targets total carbohydrate to be around 50-55% of calories. In some
women, the recommendation is slightly less. This is not considered
a low carbohydrate diet, but rather a carbohydrate managed diet.
The objective is not to overly restrict carbohydrate but to make
wise selections of carbohydrate foods, both starch and sugar forms,
and to spread these carbohydrate foods throughout the day.
Below are general guidelines only. Be sure to follow any individual
meal plan prescribed by your obstetrician and developed for you
by a dietitian.
| Avoid
Excess Carbohydrate |
| Add
lean protein to each meal |
Skinless poultry, fish, shellfish, very lean red
meats, cottage cheese, skim milk, skim milk cheeses and soy
products. |
Protein
increases the satiety value (fullness) of a meal or snack. When
protein is eaten along with carbohydrate, less carbohydrate
is needed to feel satisfied. For example, a pasta meal is more
satisfying when turkey meatballs are added than when pasta is
eaten alone or with vegetables. |
|
Add cooked dry beans and peas to meals |
Black
beans, red beans, navy beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans,
pinto beans, lentils, split peas, bean salads, bean soups |
Dried
beans and peas contain protein, and more. They increase the
satiety value of a meal because of the combined effect of their
protein, soluble fiber and starch-blocking (anti-amylase) components.
A meal always seems to last longer and be more satisfying when
legumes are included. |
| Add
a little unsaturated fat to menus |
Avocado,
olives, almonds, almond butter, peanuts, peanut butter, walnuts,
hazelnuts, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds, olive oil, canola
oil, walnut oil, sesame oil, canola oil mayonnaise, salad dressing. |
Fats, along
with protein and legumes, increase the satiety value of a
meal and can also lower the amount of carbohydrate needed.
It is important to remember, though, that unsaturated fats
are much healthier than saturated ones. When selecting foods
or oils that add fat to a meal, choose olive, canola, nuts,
seeds and avocado more frequently.
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| Take
most of your carbohydrate in whole food forms |
Fresh,
raw fruit and vegetables and whole grains |
Whole
foods, or those which are close to their natural form and unprocessed,
usually take longer to digest and contribute more fiber to one's
diet. This enhances satiety and can lower the glycemic effect
of meals. |
| Minimize intake of foods concentrated with sugar |
Cut
back on the amount of table sugar, brown sugar, honey or syrup.
Fruit juices are also a concentrated source of sugar. Read labels
for sugar and total carbohydrate per serving.
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A
lower carbohydrate version of the food may be available. If
not, it is best to eat small portions of concentrated sweet
foods in the context of a mixed meal. |
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