Diabetes In Pregnancy Diet

An increased level of blood sugar during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes is seen during pregnancy and usually disappears once the child is born. Gestational diabetes develops as the body is unable to use or produce insulin, as a result of which sugar does not get converted into fuel. High sugar levels in your blood can be unsafe for both you and your child, and it is therefore important that you keep your sugar levels under control. If you are suffering from gestational diabetes in pregnancy a diet has to be followed to control the problem. It is advisable to seek help from a nutritionist to help you with your “diabetes in pregnancy diet plan.”  

If you have diabetes in pregnancy, dietary management is very important. Here are some tips you can keep in mind for diabetes during your pregnancy.  

• Eat different kinds of foods, and make sure you distribute the carbohydrates and calories evenly during the entire day. Ensure that the meals as well as the snack you consume are well-balanced.

• For gestational diabetes in pregnancy, the diet you are following will have few carbohydrates. Make sure that the carbohydrates you include are complex ones and distribute them evenly during the day. Combine carbohydrates with some lean protein at every meal. The protein gives you a fuller feeling, helps you sustain energy, and helps in controlling your blood sugar better.

• Eat at fixed timings and do not give any meal a skip.  Try and eat the same quantity food at each meal. This will help stabilize your blood sugar.

• Make sure you eat well in the morning. This is when your blood sugar levels are likely to be at a toss. At breakfast, limit your carbohydrates and increase your protein intake. Try and avoid fruit juice and fruit altogether.

• If you have gestational diabetes in pregnancy, a diet rich in high-fiber foods should be consumed. This includes foods such as whole grain breads, vegetables, fresh fruit, cereals, beans, dried peas, and some other legumes. These foods take longer to break down as compared to carbohydrates, and will prevent your diabetes from going too high.

• Avoid beverages and foods that are high on simple sugars such as flavored tea, flavored water, fruit juice, and certain desserts. If possible keep away from them altogether.   
 
• A high amount of lactose, a simple sugar, is found in milk. It is therefore important that you limit your milk intake. Try and find some alternative calcium source instead.

Submitted by N on April 18, 2011 at 10:59

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