Diet for gestational diabetes

High blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. Managing gestational diabetes can be aided by eating a healthy, balanced diet. The following dietary guidelines are intended for women who do not take insulin and have gestational diabetes.

Advice

You must consume a range of healthful foods for a balanced diet. Making healthy shopping decisions is made easier when you read food labels.

Consult your healthcare professional if you follow a particular diet or are a vegetarian to ensure that you are receiving a balanced diet.

In general, you ought to consume:

• An abundance of whole fruits and vegetables

• Moderate intake of healthy fats and lean proteins

• Moderate servings of starchy vegetables like maize and peas together with whole grains like bread, cereal, pasta, and rice

• Less high-sugar foods and beverages, like fruit juices, soft drinks, and pastries

Every day, you ought to consume three modest to medium-sized meals and one or more snacks. Don’t miss out on meals or snacks. Maintain a daily intake of food that is similar in terms of quantity and types (carbs, fats, and proteins). You can maintain steady blood sugar levels by doing this.

CARBOHYDRATES

• Starchy or sweet foods contain the majority of carbs. Bread, rice, pasta, cereal, nuts, peas, maize, fruit, milk, yogurt, cookies, candies, soda, and other sweets are among them.
  
• You should consume fewer than half of your calories from carbohydrates.

• Wholegrain carbs with high fiber content are a healthy option. We refer to these kinds of carbohydrates as complex carbs.

• Steer clear of simple carbs like white rice, potatoes, french fries, drink, candies, and other sweets. This is because, after consuming such foods, they swiftly raise your blood sugar levels.

• Food’s carbohydrate content is expressed in grams. You can get proficient at keeping track of the number of carbohydrates in the foods you eat.

• Vegetables improve blood sugar levels and overall wellness. Have a lot of fun with these.

Cereals, legumes, and carbohydrates

Consume six or more portions daily. A single serving is equivalent to:

• One piece of bread

• One ounce (28 grams) of prepared cereal

• half a cup (105 grams) of cooked pasta or rice

• One English muffin

Select meals that are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and nutritious carbohydrates. Among them are:

• Wholegrain crackers and breads

• cereals made from whole grains

• Whole grains, like oats and barley

• legumes

• Wild or brown rice

• Pasta made with whole wheat

• Peas and corn are examples of starchy veggies.

When baking and cooking, use whole-wheat or other whole-grain flours. Increase your intake of low-fat breads such pita bread, English muffins, and tortillas.

VEGETABLES

Consume 3–5 portions daily. A single serving is equivalent to:

• 340 grams (1 cup) of lush green veggies

• One cup (340 grams) of raw leafy vegetables, cooked or chopped

• 255 grams, or 3/4 cup, of vegetable juice

• half a cup (170 grams) of raw or cooked chopped veggies

Among the nutritious vegetable options are:

• Vegetables, either fresh or frozen, without extra fats, sauces, or salt

• Vegetables with vivid green and yellow hues, such broccoli, romaine lettuce, carrots, and peppers

FRUITS

Consume two to four portions daily. A single serving is equivalent to:

• One medium-sized whole fruit, as an orange, banana, or apple

• Half a cup (170 grams) of fruit, diced, frozen, cooked, or preserved

• 180 milliliters, or 3/4 cup, of fruit juice

Fruit options that are healthy include:

• whole fruits as opposed to juices. Their fiber content is higher.

• Oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines are examples of citrus fruits.

• fruit drinks that don’t have sugar added.

• juices and fresh fruits. Compared to canned or frozen variants, they are more nutrient-dense.

DAIRY AND MILK

Consume four servings per day of dairy products that are low or no fat. A single serving is equivalent to:

• One cup (240 milliliters) of yogurt or milk

• 42 grams (1 1/2 ounces) of natural cheese

• 56 grams, or 2 oz, of processed cheese

Healthy dairy options include of:

• yogurt or low-fat or nonfat milk. Steer clear of yogurt that has artificial sweeteners or additional sugar.

• Products made from dairy are an excellent source of phosphorus, calcium, and protein.

PROTEIN- CONTAINING DRY BEANS, EGGS, FISH, MEAT, AND NUTS

Eat two to three portions each day. A single serving is equivalent to:

• 2-3 ounces (55-84 grams) of cooked fish, chicken, or meat

• 170 grams (1/2 cup) cooked beans

• One egg

• 30 grams (2 teaspoons) of peanut butter

Among the good protein options are:

• Fish and fowl. Take off the skin from the turkey and chicken.

• lean portions of wild game, veal, or beef.

• Remove all of the meat’s visible fat. Suggested cooking methods: bake, roast, broil, grill, or boil.

• These foods are great providers of iron, zinc, protein, and B vitamins.

SWEETS

• Sugar and fat content make sweets heavy, so cut back on your intake. Limit the size of your portions.

• Not even sugar-free candies are always the best option. This is due to the possibility that they contain calories and carbs.

• Additionally, since artificial sweeteners might harm your gut flora, you might want to stay away from them. However, this adjustment hasn’t demonstrated to do any harm as of yet.

• Share your dessert with others and request additional spoons or forks.

FATS

You should generally reduce the amount of fatty meals you eat.

• Reduce your intake of cooking oil, butter, margarine, salad dressing, and sweets.

• Steer clear of foods like butter, cheese, bacon, and hamburgers that are heavy in saturated fat.

• Don’t completely eliminate fats and oils from your diet. They are vital for a baby’s brain development and supply energy for growth.

• Select healthy oils like safflower, olive, canola, and peanut oil. Add olives, avocados, and nuts.

OTHER CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE

Also, your physician might recommend a safe workout regimen. The simplest kind of exercise is usually walking, but low-impact activities like swimming can also be effective. You can manage your blood sugar by exercising.

HEALTH CARE TEAM IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU

Meal planning can seem difficult at first. However, as you learn more about the impact of different foods on your blood sugar, it will get easier. See your healthcare team if you’re experiencing difficulties organizing your meals. They are available to assist you.

Read Also: Signs of type 2 diabetes

References

ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational diabetes mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(2):e49-e64. PMID: 29370047 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29370047/.

Blickstein I, Perlman S, Hazan Y, Shinwell ES. Pregnancy complicated by diabetes mellitus. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin’s Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.

ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al. 15. Management of diabetes in pregnancy: standards of care in diabetes-2023. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(Suppl 1):S254-S266. PMID: 36507645 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36507645/.

Landon MB, Catalano PM, Gabbe SG. Diabetes mellitus complicating pregnancy. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe’s Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 45.