The gestational diabetes diet plan – Step by step diet plan
Pregnancy is a time when a woman’s body undergoes many changes. As the metabolism adjusts to shifting hormone levels some women experience difficulty maintaining a healthy insulin response to carbohydrates, which can give rise to a condition known as gestational diabetes.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is defined as high blood sugar that is first diagnosed in pregnancy. A number of factors can contribute to the condition including maternal age, being overweight prior to and during pregnancy, a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and others. While some women are symptom free, in general the symptoms of gestational diabetes may include fatigue, blurred vision, frequent infections, increased thirst and urination, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss despite increased appetite. Risks to the unborn child may include congenital defects, higher birth weight complicating delivery, jaundice, and an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The impact of gestational diabetes on mother and child underscore the need for early and consistent prenatal care.
How is gestational diabetes treated and controlled?
Due to the risks involved with gestational diabetes, its treatment should be overseen by a trained healthcare provider. Mild cases of gestational diabetes may be managed by non-pharmacological methods including regular exercise and a gestational diabetes meal plan, along with regular blood sugar monitoring at home to insure that glycemic levels are maintained within a healthy range.
The gestational diabetes diet plan.
One of the most important components of treating gestational diabetes is a gestational diabetes diet. While gestational diabetes is similar to adult onset diabetes, there are some important differences. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes have a higher protein and fat requirement than non-pregnant women with type 2 diabetes; however, the following are general guidelines for a gestational diabetes diet.
Replace all simple sugars with fresh fruit and unsweetened fruit juices. Fresh fruit should be limited to one or two pieces a day and should be eaten with protein to prevent blood sugar spikes. Unsweetened fruit juices should be diluted with water, and juices can be used as a substitute for sugar in home baked goods.
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Replace all simple carbohydrates like white flour and potatoes with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and beans. Complex carbohydrates metabolize more slowly than simple carbohydrates and keep blood sugar levels from spiking and dropping suddenly. Whole grains and beans eaten together supply complete proteins, while the fiber and B vitamins help to keep insulin levels down.
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Increase the intake of fresh, brightly colored vegetables to obtain macro and micronutrients necessary for healthy metabolic processes, as well as abundant antioxidants to assist the body in detoxifying metabolic wastes and maintaining hormonal balance.
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Monounsaturated fats found in olive oil and avocados, and foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as nuts and seeds, keep hormones balanced and are necessary for healthy fetal brain development. Fish such as salmon, cod, and tilapia can be eaten in limited quantities to provide essential fatty acids on the gestational diabetes diet. Pregnant women are advised to eat no more than 12 ounces of fish per week to limit exposure to environmental toxins such as mercury.
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Lean meats, poultry, eggs, and low fat dairy products supply proteins which stoke the metabolism with slow burning fuel.
The key to a gestational diabetes diet is to learn how to count your carbohydrates and balance them with proteins, fibers and healthy fats to make every meal or snack well rounded and nutrient dense. You can enjoy satisfying meals while safeguarding your health and the health of your baby with the gestational diabetes diet.
Replace all simple carbohydrates like white flour and potatoes with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and beans. Complex carbohydrates metabolize more slowly than simple carbohydrates and keep blood sugar levels from spiking and dropping suddenly. Whole grains and beans eaten together supply complete proteins, while the fiber and B vitamins help to keep insulin levels down.
Increase the intake of fresh, brightly colored vegetables to obtain macro and micronutrients necessary for healthy metabolic processes, as well as abundant antioxidants to assist the body in detoxifying metabolic wastes and maintaining hormonal balance.
Monounsaturated fats found in olive oil and avocados, and foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as nuts and seeds, keep hormones balanced and are necessary for healthy fetal brain development. Fish such as salmon, cod, and tilapia can be eaten in limited quantities to provide essential fatty acids on the gestational diabetes diet. Pregnant women are advised to eat no more than 12 ounces of fish per week to limit exposure to environmental toxins such as mercury.
Lean meats, poultry, eggs, and low fat dairy products supply proteins which stoke the metabolism with slow burning fuel.
