Nutritional Foods to Help Stabilize Your Blood Sugar in Pregnancy

Nutritional foods while pregnant to help stabilize your blood sugar isn’t exactly the first thing that crosses a newly pregnant woman’s mind.

However, you are what you eat is never more true than when you’re pregnant. 

Your baby gets his or her nutrition from the food you eat. They also get any adverse side effects from what you’re eating as well. This can include everything from sugar to alcohol. This is especially important to keep in mind if you have an illness while you’re pregnant, such as pregnancy-induced hypoglycemia or gestational diabetes. In the cases of blood sugar-related illnesses, finding nutritious foods that help stabilize your blood sugar can be a huge help. 

 

Let’s go over nutritional foods to help stabilize your blood sugar in pregnancy. 

NUTRITIONAL FOODS TO HELP STABILIZE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR IN PREGNANCY

 

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SPINACH

Spinach is not only rich in potassium, magnesium, and folic acid, but it is an excellent source of iron and folic acid. This is great for pregnant moms since folic acid is essential to healthy fetal development. On the blood sugar side, spinach is low carb and low starch. The combination of the two means it will help lower your blood sugar.

Spinach is great for you raw, but it is one of the rare foods where you will absorb more calcium and iron if it is cooked. This is due to the oxalic acid in raw spinach, which blocks some of that from absorbing. 

 

KALE

Kale is rich in vitamins A, K, and B6 and minerals such as copper and manganese. It’s perfect for helping to stabilize blood sugar in pregnancy due to its high nutrient content and low carb/low starch balance.

However, if you have thyroid issues, you may want to avoid kale. It can cause lowered thyroid function in people prone to that or who already have thyroid issues.

 

CARROTS

Carrots are another low starch and low-calorie food that can help stabilize your blood sugar. They are rich in vitamin A and beta carotene, which your baby will need for their eye development.

In addition, the sweet taste of carrots can also help tame sugar cravings, which is super important for anyone with gestational diabetes. 

 

CUCUMBER

If you like cucumbers, you’re in luck. Since they’re rich in vitamins K, B, and C, they’re a great addition to a low sugar diet in your pregnancy.

Even more important is that since cucumbers are mostly water, they can actually help your body be more hydrated. Hydration is vital to both blood sugar stabilization and a healthy pregnancy. 

 

BROWN RICE

Brown rice contains many nutrients, but it can be a nice option for diabetics even more surprisingly. Because it is low carb and has a low glycemic index, it is a great way to eat the food you’re used to without feeling deprived.

The higher the food is on the glycemic index, the faster your body processes it into sugar. The quicker it is processed, the higher your blood sugar readings will go. 

 

OATS

Oats Whole grain means they’re heart-healthy, but they are low glycemic and low carb. They’re also very rich in several vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B1, Iron, and Selenium.

Just to clarify, this does not mean the instant type oatmeal you find on store shelves. While that is a healthier option, those often have added sugar and are not the best option for anyone with diabetes or blood sugar issues.

If you want to have a breakfast of instant oatmeal, use plain quick cook oats and add your own fruit and seasoning to it. This way allows you to control the amount of sugar in the meal. 

 

EGGS

If you’re looking for a great-tasting, blood sugar-stabilizing food, eggs are it. Not only are they full of lutein, which helps fight diseases, but they’re high in protein and rich in iron. If your blood sugar is running too high, protein can help bring it back down to normal and stable levels.

They are also known to improve insulin sensitivity which is excellent for having normal blood sugar levels. 

 

FATTY FISH

For diabetics or people with blood sugar issues, omega 3 fatty acids are essential. This makes a diet rich in fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, sardines, and trout important. These diets :

• can help lower cholesterol
• are low carb
• have no sugar
• are high in protein 

These benefits are on top of the other nutrients. Fatty fish can easily help stabilize your blood sugar quickly. In fact, they are the most nutritious food that comes out of the sea! Of course, eat this one in moderation while pregnant because of mercury concerns. 

 

CINNAMON

It may be the very last food you would expect to help stabilize blood sugar. Surprisingly, adding cinnamon to your diet can help stabilize your blood sugar in as little as forty days. Several studies have shown that cinnamon not only tastes but can also help improve insulin resistance.

This is great for anyone having high blood sugar issues, including those who are pregnant. If you do not like the taste of cinnamon, you can get the benefits just as easily with a cinnamon supplement. 

 

As with anything while you’re pregnant, consulting with your doctor before making a big lifestyle change or starting a supplement is important. Most likely your doctor will be all for you eating a better diet, but better safe than sorry. 

 

If you’re looking for more reputable resources, both MEDLINE PLUS and MAYO CLINIC are great resources! 

 

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