Gestational Diabetes Care at Wellness MD - Including Meal Plan
- Dr. Daniela Steyn
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
By Dr. Daniela Steyn – Wellness MD
I have worked with pregnant women for over twenty years, and during this time, I have diagnosed and supported many with gestational diabetes. Managing blood sugar well during pregnancy is essential to protect your baby and your own long-term health.
What many women don’t realize is that up to 50% of patients with gestational diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. That’s why it’s so important not only to manage your sugars during pregnancy, but also to adopt a healthy lifestyle that continues after delivery. My goal is to help you have a safe, healthy pregnancy while also reducing your future risk.
This mission is personal to me. When my own sister-in-law was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I was surprised at how little nutritional support she received. I want to change that—by giving women the tools, education, and support they need.
Here are a few key principles I share with all my patients:
1. You have more control than you think. Educating yourself and taking small, consistent steps makes a big difference.
2. Work closely with your healthcare team. Support and guidance are essential— don’t go through this alone.
3. Monitor your sugars regularly. This can be done with simple finger-prick tests or with continuous glucose monitors (like Dexcom).
At Wellness MD, we create personalized nutrition and lifestyle plans tailored to your unique needs. These plans are designed to optimize your pregnancy and help you thrive long after delivery.
See below an example of the nutrition plan we offer in our clinic.
One-Week Low-Carb High-Protein Meal Plan for Pregnancy
Daily Guidelines
• Carbohydrates: ~30–45 g per meal, ~15 g per snack
• Protein: Include at every meal/snack
• Fiber: Aim for ≥25 g/day
• Hydration: 2–3 L water daily
• Monitoring: Check blood sugar before/after meals as directed
Day 1
Breakfast:
• 2 scrambled eggs with spinach & feta
• ½ avocado
• 1 slice low-GI whole grain bread
Snack:
• 10 almonds + 1 boiled egg
Lunch:
• Grilled chicken breast
• Quinoa & roasted vegetables (small portion)
• Green salad with olive oil & lemon
Snack:
• Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened) with chia seeds
Dinner:
• Baked salmon with dill & lemon
• Steamed broccoli and cauliflower mash
Day 2
Breakfast:
• Omelet with mushrooms, peppers, and cheddar cheese
• ½ cup berries
Snack:
• Cucumber slices with hummus
Lunch:
• Turkey lettuce wraps with avocado, tomato & cucumber
• Side salad
Snack:
• Cottage cheese with cinnamon and walnuts
Dinner:
• Grilled lean beef steak
• Asparagus & zucchini sautéed in olive oil
Day 3
Breakfast:
• 2 boiled eggs
• Smoked salmon slices
• ½ avocado
Snack:
• Celery sticks with almond butter
Lunch:
• Grilled chicken Caesar salad (use Greek yogurt dressing, no croutons)
Snack:
• String cheese + handful pumpkin seeds
Dinner:
• Roasted turkey breast
• Green beans & cauliflower rice
Day 4
Breakfast:
• Protein smoothie: unsweetened almond milk, whey protein (low-carb), spinach, chia seeds, ½ cup berries
Snack:
• 1 boiled egg + 6 pecans
Lunch:
• Grilled salmon salad with arugula, cucumber, and olive oil
Snack:
• Edamame (lightly salted)
Dinner:
• Chicken stir-fry (broccoli, peppers, bok choy, tamari sauce, no rice)
Day 5
Breakfast:
• 2 poached eggs
• Turkey bacon
• ½ avocado
Snack:
• Plain Greek yogurt with ground flaxseed
Lunch:
• Grilled shrimp skewers with zucchini noodles (zoodles)
• Olive oil dressing
Snack:
• Handful of sunflower seeds
Dinner:
• Baked cod with lemon and garlic
• Steamed spinach & roasted Brussels sprouts
Day 6
Breakfast:
• Cottage cheese with chia seeds and ½ cup berries
Snack:
• Boiled egg + cucumber slices
Lunch:
• Grilled chicken breast with roasted cauliflower & kale salad
Snack:
• Cheese stick + almonds
Dinner:
• Turkey meatballs with zucchini noodles & sugar-free tomato sauce
Day 7
Breakfast:
• Veggie omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
• ½ avocado
Snack:
• Celery sticks with cottage cheese
Lunch:
• Grilled salmon over mixed greens
• Small portion quinoa
Snack:
• Greek yogurt with walnuts
Dinner:
• Roasted chicken thighs with garlic & rosemary
• Steamed broccoli & green beans
Shopping List
Proteins
• Eggs (2 dozen)
• Chicken breasts & thighs
• Salmon, cod, shrimp
• Turkey breast, turkey bacon, ground turkey
• Lean beef steak
• Smoked salmon
• Turkey meatballs (or ground turkey to prepare)
• Cottage cheese (low-fat, plain)
• Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened)
• Cheese sticks
• Whey protein powder (low-carb, pregnancy safe – check label)
Vegetables
• Spinach, kale, arugula, lettuce
• Zucchini, cucumber, peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus, bok choy
• Tomatoes, avocado
Healthy Fats
• Olive oil, avocado oil
• Almonds, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
• Chia seeds, flaxseeds
Carbohydrates (low-GI, small portions)
• Quinoa
• Low-GI whole grain bread (1 loaf)
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Pantry/Condiments
• Hummus
• Sugar-free tomato sauce
• Tamari or coconut aminos
• Lemon, garlic, herbs, spices
Supplements (general guideline – must confirm with OB/GYN)
• Prenatal vitamin (with folic acid, iron, iodine)
• Omega-3 (DHA/EPA) – important for fetal brain and eye development
• Vitamin D (esp. in Canada, often deficient)
• Magnesium (may reduce leg cramps, constipation, improves sleep)
• Probiotic (gut and immune health)
This plan balances stable blood sugars, adequate protein for pregnancy, and nutrient-dense foods.
Book with Wellness MD for personalized nutritional support
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