Gestational diabetes: what kind of milk to drink?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on June 02, 2025
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The overall principle of dietary control for patients with gestational diabetes is to manage the total calorie intake and adopt a pattern of eating smaller, more frequent meals. Ideally, the day should be divided into 5 to 6 meals. This approach helps not only in controlling blood sugar levels but also in reducing the occurrence of hypoglycemia. For patients with gestational diabetes, it is recommended to drink pure milk. However, many of the milk and dairy products available on the market contain a large amount of added sugar or have a very high fat content, which can lead to excessive caloric intake and affect blood sugar control. Therefore, for patients with gestational diabetes, it is advisable to drink low-fat or non-fat pure milk, which has relatively lower calories and will not impact blood sugar levels. It is suggested to have a glass of pure milk either two hours after a meal or before bedtime to help reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia and prevent it during the night.

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Can you eat cherries if you have gestational diabetes?

Patients with gestational diabetes can eat cherries. Cherries have a relatively low sugar content and glycemic index, so eating them will not cause significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Additionally, cherries are rich in trace elements, particularly high in iron content, and consuming cherries can help supplement iron. Patients with gestational diabetes can eat cherries in moderation, but they should not consume too much at once, and it is recommended to eat between meals. There are also other fruits with low glycemic indices that patients with gestational diabetes can eat appropriately, such as apples, peaches, pears, oranges, and grapefruits.

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Exercise for Gestational Diabetes

Exercise can increase insulin sensitivity and can lower blood sugar independently of insulin. Therefore, patients with gestational diabetes can also exercise appropriately, which is beneficial for the utilization of blood sugar and helps lower it. The exercise for gestational diabetes generally involves regular, rhythmic aerobic exercises, which can include upper body exercises, gymnastics, and previously mentioned activities. The duration of exercise should generally be around 20-30 minutes, and it is advisable to exercise about one hour after meals. The frequency of exercise should be three to five times per week. During exercise, the heart rate should not exceed 120 beats per minute to avoid intense physical activity.

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Written by Luo Juan
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Can you eat oranges if you have gestational diabetes?

Pregnant women with gestational diabetes can eat oranges, but they should limit the quantity. Since oranges are high in sugar, they should not be consumed in large amounts. In fact, just like mothers with diabetes or those who are pregnant, they need nutrients such as calories, protein, calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamin B, etc. However, attention should be paid to meal frequency. Under a constant total caloric intake, it is advisable to eat small and frequent meals, focusing on the quality and quantity of the diet to maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is necessary to limit the quantity of fruit consumed and avoid fruits that are high in sugar as they should not be consumed in large amounts. Therefore, pregnant women with gestational diabetes can eat oranges, but should not consume them in large quantities and should maintain proper portion control.

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What should people with gestational diabetes eat?

For patients with various types of diabetes, the general principle of dietary control is low salt, low fat, and a diabetes-specific diet. This means that fats and calories must be controlled. However, pregnancy is a special period that requires an adequate intake of nutrients to meet the needs of the fetus. Therefore, gestational diabetes should be managed based on one's nutritional status, and, after evaluating one's condition, sufficient high-quality protein should be supplemented. It is advisable not to consume fats, such as chicken, duck, fish, and meat, but cooking methods should be chosen carefully. Fish can be consumed steamed, and meat can be steamed or stewed, as these meats are sources of protein. However, soup should not be consumed as it is particularly high in fat. Additionally, foods like pig's feet or animal organs, which have high cholesterol levels, should be consumed in moderation. The overall principle is the same as for diabetes, but it is essential to ensure the pregnant woman's nutritional needs are met and that the fetal weight gradually increases as the pregnancy progresses. Of course, if insulin intervention is needed to some extent, insulin must be used to keep blood sugar levels within the required range.

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How to eat after giving birth for gestational diabetes

Patients with gestational diabetes need to be careful with their diet even after giving birth, during the period known in Chinese tradition as "sitting the month." During this time, it is customary for Chinese women to consume large amounts of animal protein, including soups that are believed to help with milk production. However, patients with gestational diabetes should still control their intake, opting for low-fat and low-salt options. Traditional dishes like pig's trotters stewed with soybeans, which are high in fat, are not recommended for patients, as their effectiveness in promoting milk production is minimal. After childbirth, patients can instead focus on consuming high-quality proteins such as lean meats and milk, which are encouraged.