Gestational diabetes — intolerance to glucose that develops during pregnancy — is dangerous to the fetus and mother. In 2011, the American Diabetes Association added diabetic screening to the first prenatal visit for women with diabetic risk factors. Screening for diabetes also happens during the sixth lunar month, or 21 to 24 weeks. What you should eat before an oral glucose tolerance test depends on your prepregnancy weight.
Maximize Nutrient Density
During pregnancy, protein, calorie, vitamin and mineral requirements increase, especially for folic acid, calcium and iron. The makeup of lunch meals before an oral glucose tolerance test should follow the Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines of 50 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent protein and 30 percent fat. An example of a nutrient-dense lunch prior to a glucose test includes 8 ounces of nonfat plain yogurt with 10 strawberries and 2 tablespoons flaxseed; 1 cup steamed broccoli with 2 tablespoons lemon juice; and a sandwich made with a sandwich thin, 2 ounces of roast beef, mustard, lettuce and tomato slices.
Normal Prepregnancy Weight
A body mass index, or BMI, of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates a normal weight. The recommended weight gain for a person with a normal BMI is 25 to 35 pounds. Starting with the second trimester, a 5-foot-7 female carrying one fetus should consume approximately 1,800 prepregnancy calories plus 300 pregnancy calories, for a total of 2,100 calories daily. This works out to three 500-calorie meals and three 200-calorie snacks. A lunch meal before a glucose test might include a small orange, one cup spinach with 1 teaspoon olive oil, one cup nonfat milk and a sandwich consisting of 2 ounces chicken breast, 1 ounce avocado and lettuce and tomato slices between two slices of 15-gram carbohydrate, multigrain bread.
Low Prepregnancy Weight
An underweight BMI is less than 18.5. The recommended weight gain is 28 to 40 pounds. The same 5-foot-7 female requires an additional 50 calories, for a total of 2,150 calories daily. The extra 50 calories can easily be added to the three snacks to produce 217-calorie snacks. Meanwhile, an alternative vegetarian, nutrient-dense, high-fiber, lunch that contains 500 calories might include 1/2 cup bulgur, 1/2 cup red beans, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 cup nonfat milk, 1 cup steamed broccoli, 10 almonds and a small orange.
Overweight Prepregnancy Weight
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates being overweight. The recommended pregnancy weight gain is 15 to 25 pounds. Additional pregnancy calories are 200, for a total of 2,000 calories daily. Reduce meal calories from 500 to 466 and include more nutrient-dense foods. For example, replace the normal meal’s bread with a 100-calorie sandwich thin. Also, add five almonds to increase protein, healthful fats and fiber.
Obese Prepregnancy Weight
Pregnant women with a BMI greater than 29.9 are obese and should limit weight gain to 11 to 20 pounds. Add 150 calories to the 1,800 calories for a total of 1,950 daily calories. This is 450 calories per meal. To support the pregnancy with limited calories, all foods must be nutrient dense. In addition to changes made to the overweight lunch meal, replace the olive oil with 1 tablespoon of low-calorie balsamic vinaigrette.
References
- Diabetes Care: American Diabetes Association: Screening For and Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes
- Department of Health and Human Services: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
- National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Weight-Control Information Network
- National Institutes of Health: Weight Gain During Pregnancy
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