General Information Tools After Pregnancy Additional Resources

The food you eat will affect your blood sugar level. Foods that contain carbohydrate will increase your blood sugar. You need carbohydrates because they are an important form of energy in the body. When you eat carbohydrates (CHO or CARBS), they break down into glucose, a form of sugar that easily enters into the blood. Carbohydrates are nutrients mainly found in the Starch Group Portion Sizes, Milk Group Portion Sizes, and Fruit Group Portion Sizes groups.

You need to have carbohydrates in your meal plan. The amount of carbohydrate that you eat at each meal and snack is important to help control your blood sugar. By spreading out your carbohydrate intake throughout the day, your blood sugar will not increase as much after each meal.

It is important to eat from each of the food groups to receive all the nutrients needed each day. Protein and fat will help prevent rapid rises in your blood sugar. Use measuring cups or other methods to learn about Food Group Portion Sizes.

For further information, ask your provider to refer you to a registered dietitian so you can work together to develop a meal plan that will help you control your diabetes.

Click on the topics below:

Food Group Portion Sizes
Starch Group Portion Sizes
Milk Group Portion Sizes
Fruit Group Portion Sizes
Non-Starchy Vegetables
Protein
Fat

Click here for additional information about Nutrition and Gestational Diabetes