Pregnant women with diabetes must take special care when it comes to their diet. Women with type 2 diabetes may experience blood sugar fluctuations during their pregnancy, which can be harmful for the developing baby. Whether or not pregnant women require insulin, they should also follow a diabetic diet designed for pregnancy.
Type 2 Diabetes and Pregnancy
Type 2 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes, is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or is unable to use its own insulin. This means that certain foods cannot be broken down into energy for the body's cells, which can cause blood sugar to fluctuate. According to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, many women with type 2 diabetes must use insulin injections or pills in order to maintain their blood glucose levels. When a woman with diabetes becomes pregnant, she must take extra care to control her blood sugar levels. She may not only need to continue using insulin for blood sugar management, but she must also pay close attention to what she eats.
Foundation for a Good Diet
Whether or not insulin is necessary for blood sugar control, it is important for diabetic women to follow a healthy diet while they are pregnant. The American Dietetic Association provides some general guidelines for pregnant women with diabetes, which include tracking carbohydrates as well as limiting high-fat foods. They also recommend pregnant women learn to judge appropriate serving sizes, and become familiar with reading food labels for hidden ingredients such as excess sodium or trans fats.
Carbohydrate Choices
Some healthy carbohydrate choices for pregnant women with diabetes include those with high amounts of fiber or protein, which includes whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Some women may require the assistance of a nutritionist on order to determine the exact amount of both calories and carbohydrates she needs daily while pregnant. However, the American Dietetic Association recommends the following: between 2 and 4 servings of low-fat dairy products, 5 servings overall of fruits and vegetables and 3 servings of whole grain products. Don't be tempted to eat too many servings at once; carbohydrate intake should be spaced out across the day to avoid increasing blood sugar too much in one sitting.
Healthy Protein Sources
In addition to carbohydrates, pregnant women with diabetes should include even more proteins than usual in their diet. Proteins can come from many sources, including dairy products, meats, fish, beans and nuts. The American Dietetic Association recommends around 4 to 6 oz. of non-carbohydrate-containing proteins daily for the average pregnant woman.
Other Advice
While it is OK to have a treat from time to time, pregnant women with diabetes should limit their intake of trans fats, saturated fats and sodium. Regardless of how healthy the diet, pregnant diabetics should also continue to monitor their blood sugar regularly to ensure that their eating plan is keeping their glucose levels in the recommended range. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, this range is between 80 and 110 before meals, and less than 155 one to two hours after a meal.
