Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

During pregnancy, it is recommended to distribute carbohydrates across 3 meals and 2 to 4 snacks to help maintain stable blood glucose levels and meet the increased nutritional demands of both the mother and the developing fetus. This approach helps to prevent large fluctuations in blood sugar that could be detrimental to both maternal health and fetal development.

By consuming more frequent, smaller meals and snacks throughout the day, pregnant individuals can better manage their energy levels and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. These snacks provide essential nutrients and can help alleviate some common pregnancy-related discomforts, such as nausea or low energy.

The other choices do not align with current nutritional guidelines that promote a balanced intake of carbohydrates throughout the day, which is crucial for managing energy and supporting fetal growth. For instance, having only 2 meals and 3 snacks could lead to inadequate calorie intake during the main meals, while 4 meals and no snacks may not adequately address the need for energy and nutrients throughout the day. Similarly, 5 meals with no snacks might overload the digestive system at once, rather than evenly distributing carbohydrate intake for better metabolic control.