1. Minimize blood glucose excursions and maintain glucose values within target goal ranges before and after meals

• Blood glucose should be monitored, including fasting and postprandial levels, to help make adjustments to meal patterns and composition
• Blood glucose may be more difficult to control after breakfast due to higher hormone levels during the eraly morning hours
• Regular exercise can lower fasting and postprandial glucose concentration and reduce common discomforts of pregnancy

2. Provide an energy intake that is neither inadequate nor excessive and will achieve appropriate fetal growth and gestational weight gain without maternal ketosis.

• A minimum of 175 g carbohydrate per day is encouraged for fetal brain development and to prevent ketosis.

3. Ensure safe and adequate, but not excessive, nutrients for maternal and fetal health.

• Weight loss is contraindicated during pregnancy, however women with GDM who are overweight or obese may benefit from modest energy and carbohydrate restriction to slow gestation weight gain (70% of the DRI for pregnant women).

From: Nutrition Care Manual, Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Intervention