Diet For Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

(April 18, 2011)

Gestational Diabetes mellitus (GDM) or gestational diabetes occurs when high levels of blood sugar are diagnosed in a pregnant woman in her second trimester. The sugar in our diet produces energy for our daily activities. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, breaks up the sugar. In a diabetic, the sugar does not get absorbed but accumulates in the blood because of insufficient insulin or the body becomes resistant to it. This leads to high sugar content and diabetes.

Not following a proper diet for gestational diabetes during pregnancy is harmful to both the mother and the unborn child. Excessive body weight and high sugar levels lead to high blood pressure, swelling of limbs, and heart and kidney complications in the mother. She could experience problems in subsequent pregnancies. Also, the unborn baby is often overweight, hence the necessity to deliver the child through a C-section. The baby may also be prone to obesity and similar risks later on in life.

The diet for gestational diabetes during pregnancy should contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and essential minerals and vitamins in the correct proportions. Carbohydrates that give us energy are found in pasta, rice, bread, wheat products, potatoes, sweets, and sugar. A clinical dietician will be able to chalk out an optimum diabetes in pregnancy diet plan that will be suited to you specific needs. Under a proper expert’s guidance, a customized diet gestational diabetes during pregnancy helps keep blood sugar in check. The mother’s weight, her dietary needs, and her preferences are taken into account, and the dietician can come up with a healthy diet for the mother with gestational diabetes during her pregnancy and tell her what to eat.

It is important that the diabetes during pregnancy diet is followed. The weight of the mother and her calorie intake play an important role in controlling her sugar levels. Since her hormones behave erratically at this time, the blood sugar and insulin dosages need to be constantly monitored by a specialist as well as following a diet suitable for gestational diabetes during one’s pregnancy.

In certain cases of gestational diabetes during pregnancy, a diet plan which consists of consuming three whole meals and a couple of light snacks in between can prove extremely beneficial.  Eating the same amount at the same times everyday every two or three hours keeps the sugar under control. Processed or canned food with artificial sweetening, fast and fried food are an absolute no.

Submitted by N on April 18, 2011 at 07:22

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