To regulate gestational diabetes, it is best to adopt a specific diet, favoring whole wheat bread instead of white bread, oat bran, barley, especially talbina as the Prophet ﷺ advised, brown or basmati rice, couscous, sweet potatoes, kidney beans, or even chickpeas. Foods rich in fiber should also be favored, such as apples, bananas, grapes in moderation, or prunes, especially in case of constipation.
As for vegetables, lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots are excellent choices.
In addition, it is advisable to take a course of probiotics, as these will help regulate blood sugar in pregnant women.
What the science says: diabetes and blood sugar, pregnancy
What the published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for context — these studies address material causes, while healing belongs to Allah.
Diabetes and blood sugar
Diet (low glycemic index, fiber, fewer fast-absorbing sugars) is the foundation of type 2 diabetes treatment (BMJ, 2021); several plants from tradition — cinnamon, fenugreek, black seed, turmeric, olive leaf — have a blood-sugar-lowering effect confirmed by meta-analyses (Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2023) (Nutrients, 2024), and camel milk is being studied in this context. Precaution: these remedies are in addition to treatment and can cause hypoglycemia if combined with it — monitor blood sugar and never change an insulin dose without the doctor.
Pregnancy
Ginger is the go-to natural remedy for pregnancy nausea (J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 2022) (J Am Board Fam Med, 2014); dates in late pregnancy make labor easier (Explore, 2021); iron and folic acid are monitored (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 2023). Precaution: many plants are not recommended during pregnancy (essential oils, hormonal plants, purgatives, fenugreek) — do not take any supplement without the advice of the midwife or doctor.
