What healthy foods do I eat to lower blood sugar levels while pregnant?

Gestational diabetes is diabetes, or high blood sugar levels, that develop during pregnancy. If neglected it can put you and your developing baby at risk. With a proper diet and exercise, you may be able to control your blood sugar levels.

Carbohydrates are classified by how they affect your blood sugar levels, which is known as the glycaemic index. Low-glycaemic index foods are whole, natural foods such as beans, seeds, oatmeal and barley and fruits and vegetables that take longer to digest and help avoid spikes in blood sugar. High-glycaemic index foods are mostly refined and processed such as white breads and rice, baked goods and many breakfast cereals. These digest rapidly, raising sugar levels. 
Pick up probiotics to regulate metabolism of carbohydrates, which keeps your blood sugar levels in a healthy range.

Eating a lot of soluble fibre such as oat products and legumes improves sugar levels. Include a lean protein source such as poultry, nuts and eggs with all your meals and snacks. Protein keeps sugar levels in control, boosts energy and keeps you feeling full longer.

Blood sugar levels are unsteady in the mornings, so limit carbs, avoid juice and up your protein intake for breakfast. 

Caffeine may cause a temporary increase in blood pressure in people with normal blood pressure, but the specific mechanism behind this is unknown. Some studies have concluded caffeine either blocks a hormone that helps keep your arteries widened or causes your adrenal glands to release more adrenaline, which results in increased blood pressure.

Some people develop a tolerance to caffeine. There’s no evidence to suggest caffeine can cause high blood pressure, but it’s recommended that those who’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, lower their caffeine intake.

It has also been observed that caffeine raises the levels of those with high blood pressure or diagnosed hypertension to a much greater degree than those with normal readings. Caffeine has a stronger blood pressure increasing effect in men who are overweight or older than 70 years old. So these people should try to avoid caffeine. It’s also a good idea to refrain from caffeine just before a blood pressure test. It could trigger a temporary rise, resulting in an inaccurate reading. Coffee is the most obvious culprit, but chocolate, soda and energy drinks have varying amounts of caffeine as well.