What can be eaten with gestational diabetes?

Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
Updated on June 15, 2025
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Gestational diabetes, which can be diagnosed between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy by drinking a sugary solution. If diagnosed with gestational diabetes, pregnant women must strictly control their diet. The amount of staple food, like rice, should not exceed 100 grams per meal. They can eat lean meats and eggs, and the vegetables should mainly be green leafy types. Fruit intake must be strictly controlled; high-sugar fruits like grapes, raisins, red dates, and bananas are prohibited. They can eat a small amount, such as half an apple, or some kumquats and grapefruit, which are allowed.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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Gestational diabetes standard values

Standards for gestational diabetes, so what is gestational diabetes? It refers to diabetes that either develops during pregnancy or is first detected at this stage, presenting varying degrees of hyperglycemia, including previously unrecognized glucose intolerance or diabetes prior to pregnancy. Pregnancies in known diabetic patients are not included in this category, and may also be referred to as diabetes complicating pregnancy. So, how is gestational diabetes diagnosed? We can conduct a 75g anhydrous glucose tolerance test, where a fasting blood glucose greater than or equal to 5.1 mmol/L, and blood glucose greater than 10 mmol/L one hour after, meets the criteria to diagnose gestational diabetes.

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Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
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What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

The symptoms of gestational diabetes vary depending on the severity of the disease. Most cases of gestational diabetes are symptomless and are only detected when high blood sugar levels are found during diabetes screening. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a 75g glucose screening during pregnancy, at the very least, fasting blood sugar should also be checked because most diabetic patients do not notice any symptoms on their own. If the diabetes is more severe, the patient may experience symptoms such as increased thirst, increased appetite, weight loss, and frequent urination.

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Written by Chen Li Ping
Endocrinology
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Will gestational diabetes get better?

Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy and is a distinct type of diabetes. Many women with gestational diabetes may see their blood sugar levels return to normal after delivery as insulin resistance diminishes. It is recommended to conduct an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) screening six weeks after childbirth, as the majority of women with gestational diabetes will have normal fasting blood glucose or OGTT values at six weeks postpartum. Approximately 25% to 70% of women with gestational diabetes may develop diabetes again within 16 to 25 years after delivery. Therefore, it is essential to continue monitoring the patient's blood glucose postpartum and to screen early for diabetes.

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Written by Xu Dong Dong
Endocrinology
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Gestational diabetes standard values

The screening for gestational diabetes should be conducted between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. This includes a 75g glucose test, where 75 grams of anhydrous glucose is dissolved in water and consumed within five minutes on an empty stomach. This test monitors fasting blood sugar, blood sugar one hour after the meal, and blood sugar two hours after the meal. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made if any of the following criteria are met or exceeded: fasting blood sugar is greater than or equal to 5.1 mmol/L, blood sugar one hour after the meal is greater than or equal to 10 mmol/L, and blood sugar two hours after the meal is greater than or equal to 8.5 mmol/L.