Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are nutrients found in grains, fruits and vegetables. They have a direct affect on blood sugar levels, so a diabetic diet for a pregnant woman will focus largely on controlling carbohydrate intake. Large amounts of carbohydrates are dangerous, because they can cause blood sugar levels to spike.
  
  The key to carbohydrates for the diabetic woman is choosing the right ones. A diabetic diet focuses on complex carbohydrates, like those found in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and eliminates simple carbohydrates, like those found in processed grains, sugary foods and fruit juices.
  
  A diabetic pregnant woman should not eliminate carbs altogether. Some carbs are necessary to provide energy to the body. Talk to your doctor about finding the right balance of healthy carbs to keep your blood sugar under control during your pregnancy. If your doctor gives you an allotted number of carbs to eat per day, spread them out over the course of the day, rather than consuming them all at once.
  
  

Fiber and Protein

• Protein and fiber help a diabetic woman control her blood sugar naturally. Your healthcare provider will likely tell you to eat more fiber, which is found raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts and plant skins. Fiber slows down digestion, allowing the body to absorb more nutrients from the food. According to the National Institutes of Health, fiber also helps keep blood sugar levels at bay.
  
  Protein is an important source of nutrients for a diabetic woman who is expecting. The American Diabetic Association indicates that diabetics do not need more or less protein than the general public. However, pregnant women in general need more protein than the general public. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that pregnant women consume three servings of protein a day. Because diabetes increases the risk for heart disease, diabetic pregnant women should look for lean proteins that are low in saturated fats.
  
  

Frequency of Meals

• Once you have set up a healthy eating plan with your doctor's help, keep your blood sugar in check by eating small, frequent meals. Stay on an eating schedule, because blood sugar levels will drop if you go too long without eating. Researchers with the National Institutes of Health recommend that women with diabetes who are pregnant eat three small meals and two to four snacks every day.
  
  A snack right before bedtime is important, because you are at the highest risk of a blood sugar drop during the night due to lack of food. Keep all of the snacks and meals healthy, focusing on complex carbohydrates, fiber and lean protein, and you will have an easier time keeping your blood sugar where it needs to be.