Gestational diabetes occurs in around 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women. Women with gestational diabetes require a different type of diet than the average pregnant woman, as they have unique calorie needs. Maintaining a gestational diabetes diet may help some women avoid having to use insulin during their pregnancy.
Features of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes, often a temporary condition, is diabetes that develops during pregnancy and often resolves after the baby is born. According to the Mayo Clinic, most women with gestational diabetes don't know they have it unless it is discovered during a blood glucose test. Otherwise, they generally do not have noticeable symptoms. However, because gestational diabetes can present a danger to an unborn child, women with the condition must be especially mindful of their diets.
Time Frame for Meals
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, or NDIC, suggests that pregnant women with gestational diabetes eat smaller, more frequent meals. This is because the amount of food she eats in a sitting, as well as the timing of each meal, influences her blood sugar levels. The NDIC guideline is three smaller meals daily, with one to three snacks throughout the day. During the day, she should also keep track of her blood sugar levels. The Mayo Clinic suggests checking levels up to five times daily, upon waking and after meals, to make sure her diet keeps her sugar levels on track.
Considerations for Healthier Eating
All pregnant women are advised to eat healthy foods, but it is particularly crucial for those with gestational diabetes. Foods like grains, fruits and vegetables are great because they have high nutritional value, are high in fiber and low in calories. The NDIC stresses high-fiber foods as an important part of the gestational diabetes diet, and recommends fortified cereals and wholegrain breads in addition to vegetables and fruits. Diet can make all the difference, and many women who can manage their gestational diabetes through dietary changes alone may avoid having to use insulin during pregnancy.
Foods to Limit
It's hard to tell a pregnant woman what she cannot eat. However, women with gestational diabetes need to be particularly cautious when it comes to indulging in certain foods. When blood sugar levels are very high, the risk for pregnancy complications increases. The NDIC recommends women with gestational diabetes limit their concentrated sweet intake. They may also need to count carbohydrate choices, as these can increase their blood glucose levels.
Coping With Cravings
Nothing tastes quite as good as chocolate cake, but pregnant women can still satisfy some of their cravings without risking dangerous blood sugar levels. Low-sugar options such as flavored yogurt or fruits may help pregnant women with sweet cravings. Instead of high carbohydrate chips or French fries, women can reach for multigrain crackers or a baked sweet potato.
Expert Insight for Diet Plans
The Mayo Clinic stresses that no gestational diabetes diet is right for every pregnant woman. In fact, even for the same woman, pregnancy may be different with each child. A woman's dietary needs may vary depending on her level of activity as well as her pre-pregnancy weight. Often a doctor or dietician may need to create a plan specific to the pregnancy when a woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
