All pregnant women are recommended to take the glucose tolerance screening test to check for gestational diabetes. About four percent of all women who take the screening test will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. This condition can be dangerous to the health of the fetus and cause it to become to big for a natural delivery. For these reasons, it essential to control gestational diabetes.
Everything
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, some doctors will perform the fasting blood glucose and ask you to refrain from eating anything and drinking only water during the eight hours preceding the test. These tests are often done first thing in the morning so you don't actually have to fast for any significant part of your day. Eating before the test may skew the results and show higher levels of glucose in your system.
Foods High In Sugar
Health Scout tells women awaiting the glucose tolerance screening test to avoid foods that are high in sugar as the test approaches. A positive test result means that it is difficult for your body to absorb all of the food she is consuming and turn it into glucose, the fuel for cells. Less sugar in your diet may help you avoid this diagnosis because you are giving your body less sugar to absorb.
Nothing Out of the Ordinary
American Pregnancy Association explains that you do not have change anything in your diet before a standard, one-hour glucose challenge screening test. This test simply tests how well your body processes glucose on an ordinary day. If the results show a high level of glucose in your body, you doctor will generally recommend that you to take the three-hour glucose tolerance test. You will need to fast for eight hours before that test.
Diet Changes
If you do have gestational diabetes, you will need to change and monitor your diet according to your doctor's instructions. The website Women Fitness describes a gestational diabetes management diet as low in fats and simple sugars and high in complex carbohydrates and fiber. Adhering to a diet that is low in fat and sugar and high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, fruit and vegetables throughout your life -- and especially during pregnancy -- will help ensure that diabetes is not an issue for you.
