When the OGTT is abnormal – what next? OGTT is Oral Glucose Tolerence Test
A diagnosis of hyperglycemia in pregnancy (gestational diabetes mellitus or overt diabetes) does not mean you need to stop eating carbohydrates. The goal is to control blood sugar while ensuring adequate nutrition for your baby.
Step 1:
Meet a Dietitian
A dietitian can prepare an individualized meal plan based on your:
Pre-pregnancy BMI
Current weight gain
Physical activity
Food preferences
Blood sugar values
Step 2:
Follow Medical Nutritional Therapy
1. Eat 3 small meals and 2–3 healthy snacks daily
Avoid long gaps between meals.
Include a bedtime snack to reduce overnight fasting.
2. Choose complex carbohydrates
Whole wheat chapati
Brown rice
Millets (jowar, bajra, ragi)
Oats
Quinoa
Avoid:
Sugar
Sweets
Cakes, pastries
Sweetened beverages
Fruit juices
3. Include protein with every meal
Good choices:
Milk or curd (unsweetened)
Paneer
Eggs
Pulses and dals
Sprouts
Soy products
Fish or chicken (if non-vegetarian)
4. Eat plenty of fibre
Green leafy vegetables
Salads
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Carrots
Beans
Cauliflower
Aim for at least half your plate to be vegetables.
5. Fruits
1 small serving at a time.
Prefer whole fruits.
Avoid fruit juices.
Limit very sweet fruits such as mangoes, grapes and chikoo.
Step 3:
Stay Active
Unless advised otherwise by your obstetrician:
Walk for 20–30 minutes after meals, especially after lunch or dinner.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
Step 4:
Monitor Blood Sugar
Check blood glucose as advised.
Common targets are:
Fasting: <95 mg/dL
1-hour after meals: <140 mg/dL
2-hour after meals: <120 mg/dL
Step 5:
Review After 1–2 Weeks
If blood sugar remains above target despite following MNT and exercise:
Your doctor may recommend insulin, which is the preferred treatment during pregnancy.
In selected cases and depending on local guidelines, oral medicines such as Metformin may be considered, but insulin remains the standard when diet alone is insufficient.
Sample Plate Method