The Best Foods for Diabetics to Eat When Pregnant

Pregnancy is the time to get lots of rest, exercise and monitor your diet. When you have diabetes you have to be especially cognizant of what you eat because diabetes can result in miscarriage, premature birth and other complications. Diabetes is when the pancreas makes little or no insulin which can be harmful to you and your baby without a special diet and possibly insulin injections. Get your blood sugar under control eating healthy food before you get pregnant and check it often throughout your pregnancy.

Eat the Right Carbs

Carbs are scary territory for someone with diabetes, especially when you are pregnant. Be extra cautious about eating the wrong carbs such as sugar and items with high fructose corn syrup. Sugar and processed foods lack nutritional value so they aren't much help to you or your growing baby.

The right carbs are energy packed foods that include protein, fiber and possibly healthy fat that are released slowly into the bloodstream which maintains insulin levels. Renowned pediatrician, Dr. William Sears explains, "The way I explain it to the kids in my practice is, a good carb holds hands with three friends: proteins, fat, and fiber. These 'friends' keep the carb from entering the bloodstream too fast."

Dr. Sears says that best kind of carb comes from the earth and isn't made in a factory. This includes vegetables, high fiber fruits, dairy products and unprocessed whole grains.

Protein is Important

Dr. Sears says that it's important for a diabetic pregnant woman to get at least 100 grams of protein per day.

Get your protein through a variety of sources such as low fat yogurt or milk, tofu, wild salmon, eggs, lean beef, poultry and beans.

A single roasted chicken breast has 26.2 grams of protein and a quarter of a block of firm tofu packs 12.8 grams of protein. Add protein to every meal of the day for a healthy balanced menu plus it will be an easier way to get enough protein.

Eat More Fiber

Fiber rich foods are a great way to fill your stomach and quench cravings without eating something fattening. Fiber enriched foods also help you avoid constipation. Pregnancy hormones slow down the intestines so you end up feeling backed up.

Extra fiber helps to encourage waste to speed through the intestines so eat an extra serving of vegetables, fruits, beans, prunes, pears, plums, flaxseeds and whole grains.

Half of a cup of black beans has 7.5 grams of fiber and a bowl of bran cereal has 5.3 grams in a three-quarter cup.