Nutrition Information For Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs in seven out of 100 pregnancies, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Women who are overweight entering pregnancy, have a family history of either gestational or type 2 diabetes, or are African American, American Indian or Hispanic American have a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes. Women with gestational diabetes are at risk for having larger babies. This can lead to the need for a cesarean birth, which requires longer healing time.Treatment of gestational diabetes is essential to maintaining a healthy pregnancy and promoting a positive birth outcome.

Nutrition

Nutrition is key in the treatment of gestational diabetes, both to help regulate blood sugar levels and to prevent excessive weight gain. A diabetes meal plan is often recommended by a doctor, dietitian or diabetes educator and will include an emphasis on eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains, limiting intake of fats and simple sugars and watching portion sizes.

Carbohydrates

Managing intake of carbohydrates is an important step in the management of gestational diabetes. Carbohydrate counting is a technique for keeping track of the number of carbohydrates in a particular meal so as not to go over a certain preassigned amount. Intake recommendations vary by individual, but a general target is 45 to 60 g per meal. Foods containing carbohydrates include fruit, vegetables, milk, yogurt, and grain products. One small piece of fruit, one slice of bread, and 1/3 cup of pasta or rice, all contain around 15 g of carbohydrate. Limit portion sizes and choose carbohydrate sources that are also rich in fiber, such as whole grain bread and pasta and fruits and vegetables, to help keep blood sugar levels in normal ranges.

Fats

Keeping intake of total fat to less than 30% and saturated fat to less than 7% of total calories can help with weight management and as a bonus promote heart health. Weight management and even doctor-recommended weight loss can decrease the risks of developing gestational diabetes and help the body better regulate blood sugar if gestational diabetes develops. Lean meats, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are healthier choices when considering fat intake in the diet. Fish provide healthy fats to the diet in the form of fatty acids, but certain fish such as swordfish, mackerel and albacore tuna should be limited due to risks of high levels of mercury.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

According to the National Institutes of Health, women who have experienced gestational diabetes have a 35 to 60 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 to 20 years of their lives. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is especially important after baby arrives as a means of preventing the development of type 2 diabetes. Aim to return to pre-pregnancy weight within the first year postpartum. Grab a stroller and get walking; physical activity combined with a healthy diet will make all the difference in the early months after baby is born.