Diet Plan for Gestational Diabetes

Diet Plan for Gestational Diabetes Management

diet plan for gestational diabetesGestational diabetes occurs in some women during pregnancy as the hormone levels change the body’s insulin requirement. Though it goes away after the child is born, it does increase chances of getting diabetes later in life. The following diet plan for gestational diabetes gives advice on how to eat healthy and effectively manage gestational diabetes.

Following a healthy diet plan for gestational diabetes will not only help to manage your blood glucose levels but also provide adequate nutrition to you and your developing baby. You will also be able to achieve the appropriate weight changes during the pregnancy period.

1. Carbohydrates-diet plan for gestational diabetes

There is a wide variety of foods that you can eat. For carbohydrates, you need at least 12 different choices each day. These should be spread over small meals and snacks throughout the day. Some foods that have carbohydrates include:
-rice, noodles and pasta
-potato, corn and cassava
-legumes such as beans and lentils
-milk and yogurt
However, there are some carbohydrates that have little nutritional value such as soft drinks, sugar, cakes and biscuits. These are best avoided as they do not add any value to your body. Sometimes, you may be eating the correct type and quantity of carbohydrates but still experience high levels of blood glucose. In this case, you should not cut back on the carbohydrate intake. Sometimes, your body might need some extra help in order to manage insulin and blood glucose levels.

2. Fat-diet plan for gestational diabetes

The fat you eat should be very limited, more so the saturated fats. You should opt for healthy fats such as olive oil, canola, margarine, avocados and unsalted nuts. Though fat in the diet plan for gestational diabetes does not affect levels of blood glucose directly, they can cause weight gain if taken in large amounts and this makes it harder to control the levels of blood glucose.

3. Protein-diet plan for gestational diabetes

Protein is very important for the maintenance and growth of the body. Foods with protein include fish, eggs, reduced fat cheese, chicken and lean meat. These foods do not affect your levels of blood glucose directly. Though some of the foods listed above are listed as proteins, such as milk, they also have carbohydrates.

4. Iron and Calcium-diet plan for gestational diabetes

The body needs more iron and calcium during pregnancy. You should have 3 servings of food rich in calcium every day. This includes milk, reduced fat cheese and even calcium fortified soy milk. Iron from fish, chicken and red meat is readily absorbed into the body. In case you are vegetarian, you can opt for an iron supplement or even a pregnancy multivitamin.

5. Other Dietary Considerations-diet plan for gestational diabetes

There are some freedoms that come with this diet plan. For instance, nutritious food that will not cause weight gain or an increase in blood glucose levels can be freely eaten. Examples of these foods include lemons, limes and low carbohydrate vegetables. You should endeavor to have at least 5 servings of vegetables each day and also avoid the foods that cause allergies to you.
In conclusion, the diet plan for gestational diabetes involves foods that do not cause increases in levels of blood glucose, do not cause an increase in weight and are also nutritious. Eating healthily is therefore very important for a healthy mother and child.

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