The amount and kind of carbohydrate eaten at meals and snacks is key to maintaining optimal blood glucose and reducing the need for insulin while controlling maternal weight gain and infant birthweight. Studies have shown that diets with these components promote normal blood glucose: 42% to 45% carbohydrate distributed among 6 to 8 meals and snacks throughout the day with smaller amounts of carbohydrate (15 to 45 g) at breakfast and snacks.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.