Researchers tested whether eating foods in a specific order—fiber and vegetables first, then protein, then carbohydrates last—combined with tracking meals on a phone app could help pregnant women with gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy). Fifty-four pregnant women were split into two groups: one followed the special eating order with app tracking, while the other received standard pregnancy care. The women who ate in the special order and used the app had better blood sugar control, fewer complications during delivery, and healthier babies. This simple approach of changing the order you eat foods, plus using technology to track meals, may be an easy way to help pregnant women manage their blood sugar naturally.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can eating foods in a specific order (vegetables and fiber first, then protein, then carbs) combined with using a phone app to track meals help pregnant women with high blood sugar control their condition better?
  • Who participated: 54 pregnant women who had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy). Half were randomly assigned to try the new eating order method with app tracking, and half received regular pregnancy care.
  • Key finding: Women who ate in the special order and used the app had significantly lower blood sugar levels after meals (about 8-9 points lower on the glucose scale), had more normal deliveries, and their babies had fewer health problems and shorter hospital stays.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant and have been told you have high blood sugar, eating vegetables and protein before carbohydrates, combined with tracking your meals on your phone, may help you control your blood sugar naturally and reduce risks for you and your baby. However, always follow your doctor’s advice and don’t replace medical treatment with this approach alone.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers took 54 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes and randomly divided them into two equal groups—like flipping a coin to decide who got the new treatment. One group (27 women) followed a specific eating order: eating fiber-rich foods and vegetables first, protein second, and carbohydrates last. They also tracked everything they ate using a mobile phone app called JotForm. The other group (27 women) received the standard pregnancy care that doctors normally provide, without any special eating order instructions.

Both groups were measured at three time points: when they started the study, at the end of their third trimester (around 7-8 months pregnant), and 4 weeks after giving birth. Researchers tested their fasting blood sugar (before eating), blood sugar after meals, cholesterol levels, and hemoglobin (a protein in blood that carries oxygen). They also tracked what happened during delivery and how healthy the babies were after birth.

The researchers used statistical tests to compare the two groups and determine if the differences they found were real or just due to chance. They considered results ‘statistically significant’ if there was less than a 5% chance the results happened by accident.

This research design is important because it compares two groups treated differently, which helps prove whether the eating order method actually causes the improvements or if other factors are responsible. By randomly assigning women to groups, researchers reduce bias and make the comparison fair. Measuring women at multiple time points shows whether benefits last throughout pregnancy and after delivery.

This study has several strengths: it’s a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard for testing treatments), it measured real health outcomes (not just blood sugar numbers), and it followed women through pregnancy and after birth. However, the sample size is relatively small (54 women total), which means results may not apply to all pregnant women. The study was published in a reputable peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in Nutrition), which means other experts reviewed it before publication. The study was registered in a clinical trial database, which increases transparency and trust.

What the Results Show

Women in the eating-order group had significantly better blood sugar control. Their blood sugar levels 1 hour after eating dropped by about 8.41 mg/dL, and 2 hours after eating dropped by about 7.56 mg/dL, compared to the control group. These improvements were statistically significant, meaning they were very unlikely to happen by chance. The women also had better hemoglobin levels, which indicates overall better blood sugar management over time.

During delivery, the eating-order group had better outcomes. Thirteen women in this group had normal vaginal deliveries compared to only 10 in the control group. More importantly, only 2 women in the eating-order group experienced shoulder dystocia (a complication where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during delivery) compared to 5 in the control group—a significant reduction in this serious complication.

The babies born to mothers in the eating-order group were also healthier. They had lower average birth weights (which is actually better for babies of diabetic mothers, as very large babies can have more problems), fewer admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and fewer overall complications. This suggests the improved blood sugar control in the mother directly benefited the baby’s health.

The study also measured lipid profiles (cholesterol and fat levels in the blood), though specific results weren’t detailed in the abstract. The fact that researchers measured these suggests they may have found improvements, as better blood sugar control often improves cholesterol levels too. The improved hemoglobin levels indicate that the eating-order method helped maintain better blood sugar control throughout the pregnancy, not just immediately after meals.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that the order you eat foods matters for blood sugar control. Previous research in non-pregnant people found that eating fiber and protein before carbohydrates slows down how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream, preventing blood sugar spikes. This study is one of the first to test this approach specifically in pregnant women with gestational diabetes and to combine it with mobile health technology for tracking. The results support and extend previous findings by showing this simple dietary change works during pregnancy and improves both mother and baby outcomes.

The study had a relatively small number of participants (54 women), which means results may not apply to all pregnant women with gestational diabetes. The study was conducted at one location, so results might differ in other populations or countries with different healthcare systems. The control group received standard care but didn’t use the mobile app, so we can’t tell if improvements came from the eating order, the app tracking, or the combination of both. The study didn’t measure how well women actually followed the eating order or used the app, so we don’t know if better results came from better adherence. Additionally, the study didn’t compare this approach to other dietary interventions, so we can’t say if this method is better than other ways to manage gestational diabetes.

The Bottom Line

If you’re pregnant and have gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor about trying the food sequencing approach: eat vegetables and fiber-rich foods first, protein second, and carbohydrates last. Use a phone app or simple notebook to track what you eat. This approach appears to help control blood sugar and may reduce pregnancy complications. However, this should be used alongside, not instead of, your doctor’s recommended treatment plan, which may include insulin or other medications if needed. Confidence level: Moderate—this is promising research, but larger studies are needed to confirm these results apply to all pregnant women.

This research is most relevant for pregnant women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It may also interest healthcare providers who treat pregnant women with diabetes. Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are pregnant should discuss this approach with their doctor, as their management may be different. Women without gestational diabetes don’t need to follow this eating order, though the general principle of eating vegetables and protein before carbs is healthy for everyone.

You may notice improvements in blood sugar levels within days to weeks of starting the eating order method, as shown by the 1-hour and 2-hour blood sugar measurements in the study. However, the full benefits for pregnancy outcomes (like delivery complications and baby health) take the full pregnancy to develop. If you start this approach, ask your doctor to recheck your blood sugar levels in 2-4 weeks to see if it’s working for you.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track each meal by photographing your plate before eating and noting the order you ate foods (vegetables first, protein second, carbs last). Record your blood sugar readings if you’re monitoring at home, and note any patterns between meal order and blood sugar levels. Aim to follow the eating order for at least 80% of meals.
  • Set a daily reminder on your phone to eat vegetables or salad first at each meal. Before eating carbohydrates like bread, rice, or pasta, make sure you’ve already eaten protein (chicken, fish, eggs, beans) and vegetables. Use the app to log meals immediately after eating to build the habit and track success.
  • Weekly: Review your app logs to see what percentage of meals followed the eating order. Monthly: Compare your blood sugar readings to see if they’re improving. Track energy levels and hunger—many people feel more satisfied and have fewer energy crashes when eating in this order. Share your app data with your doctor at prenatal visits to show progress and adjust your care plan if needed.

This research describes a dietary approach that may help manage gestational diabetes, but it is not a substitute for medical care. Gestational diabetes is a serious condition that requires professional medical supervision. Always consult with your obstetrician or healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or treatment plan during pregnancy. Do not stop or reduce any medications prescribed by your doctor without their approval. While this eating order approach shows promise, individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. This information is for educational purposes and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes should continue regular prenatal care and blood sugar monitoring as recommended by their healthcare team.