“Help keep blood sugar levels in check with a well-balanced diet. It should include lean sources of protein, plenty of non-starchy vegetables and correctly portioned complex carbohydrates,” she says. Bissell notes that working with a dietitian can take the guesswork out of eating with gestational diabetes.

In general, a diet that will help with treating gestational diabetes should be balanced across macronutrients (fats, carbs and proteins). “Optimal foods are lean and/or plant-based proteins, whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, fruit, and low-fat dairy or plant-based alternatives,” Hieronymus says.

A healthy diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein — foods that are high in nutrition and fiber and low in fat and calories — and limits highly refined carbohydrates, including sweets.

If you have gestational diabetes, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet may help you manage your symptoms without needing medication. In general, your diet should include protein plus the right mix of carbohydrates and fats. Too many carbohydrates can lead to spikes in your blood sugar.

The DASH diet also recommends choosing foods that are low in sodium and saturated and trans fats, while opting for foods higher in fiber, protein, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to be safe during pregnancy, as well as to reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes.