Gestational Diabetes Diet Tips
For some pregnant women, they have to deal with gestational diabetes. This typically happens when during pregnancy, pregnant women have higher blood sugar (glucose) levels and should be a concern.
According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes affects 4% of all pregnant women and there are about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States per year.
Currently, there is no known cause of why women get gestational diabetes. But there are some clues. The placenta supports the baby as it grows in the womb. Hormones from the placenta is what feeds the baby and helps it to develop. But the hormones can block the mother’s insulin and thus insulin resistance happens. Without enough insulin, glucose can not leave the blood and be converted to energy and blood sugar levels start to spike which leads to hyperglycemia.
The reason why a pregnant woman needs to make adjustments in their life if they have gestational diabetes is because if left untreated, it can hurt the baby. It can cause the baby’s pancreas to make more insulin to get rid of the glucose. And the baby is getting more energy to grow and develop and thus the extra energy is stored as fat. Studies have shown that a “fat” baby or macrosomia can lead to damage to the shoulders during birth or result in escalated breathing problems. Babies with an excess of insulin are at risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Treatment for Gestational Diabetes
Many women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes are put into a special meal plan and must do some physical activity. Also, they may have daily blood glucose testing and insulin projections.
It is important that women who are overweight while pregnant must try to lose weight and begin to adjust their lifestyle and make healthier food choices and also exercise daily.
Healthy Eating
It is good to eat three small meals and two or thee snacks a day. Also, to cut down on carbohydrates at breakfast but eat a consistent amount during the day. If you are a type that has morning sickness, then definitely eat 1-2 crackers, cereal or pretzels but try to avoid fatty, fried or greasy food. Foods that are high in fiber such as whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables are important as well. Also, to eat foods with less sugar and less fat.
As for liquids, it is important to drink at least 8 cups of water a day. And to include vitamins into your daily diet.
Sources of Vitamins
For women with gestational diabetes, for calcium, it is very important to eat and drink at least 4 servings of dairy products a day. You can get calcium from dairy products, nuts, green vegetables and calcium-fortified, unsweetened cereals.
For iron, you can eat grain products such as rice (preferably brown rice), lean meat, poultry and fish. Try not to fry the meat. Also, eggs and leafy green vegetables.
For Vitamin C, you can get this vitamin from fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, honeydew, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, green peppers and a few others.
For folic acid, you can get this from dark green leafy vegetables, veal, fruits and also beans such as lima, black, black-eyed and chickpeas.
For Vitamin A, you can get vitamin A from carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, apricots, cantaloupe, apricots and other vegetables.
Make sure you consult your physician or dietitian for a healthy diet if you have gestational diabetes. You may need to lose or gain weight, so its important to communicate with your physician.
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