2.1. Study Criteria and Protocol
GDM, allergies, diabetes
GDM, TYPE 2 DIABETES, ALLERGIES, DIABETES
Adult women with a GDM diagnosis were enrolled in the study and randomized into one of two treatment groups to analyze the effects of dietary and lifestyle modification on cardiometabolic profiles in the mother. The inclusion criteria for this study were pregnant women between the ages of 18 to 45, were currently in their 24–28 weeks of gestation during the initial screening appointment, had high blood glucose (diagnosed either via 1 h or 3 h glucose tolerance test), history of diabetes (either GDM in a prior pregnancy and/or type 2 diabetes) prior to pregnancy, and current singleton pregnancy. Exclusion criteria included allergies to berries and/or leafy vegetables, current tobacco or alcohol use, current lactation, current multiple gestation pregnancy, or unwillingness to provide written informed consent. Upon providing informed consent and enrolling in the trial, participants were screened at their 24–28-week clinic appointment, where a screening questionnaire was completed regarding dietary habits, anthropometric measurements were obtained, and a blood draw was completed for baseline metabolic parameters prior to the initiation of the intervention. Patients were then randomized into one of two treatment groups, detailed below, and followed the recommended dietary and lifestyle modifications until delivery. Patients received lifestyle counseling based on their assigned treatment group biweekly via either telemedicine or telephone appointments. Patients were also encouraged to keep a food log for any three days each week. At the patient’s 36–40-week gestation clinic appointment, anthropometric measurements were determined, another blood sample was obtained for repeat metabolic parameter measurements, and food diaries were collected to be analyzed. Patients were encouraged to continue to follow the assigned interventions until delivery.In total, 38 patients were enrolled into this study and randomized into a treatment group, with 18 being assigned to the control nutrition education group and 20 being assigned to the nutrition intervention group.