1. Eat a High-Fiber Diet Before Pregnancy
A 2006 study conducted by several Harvard PhDs and MDs found that women who consistently consumed a high-fiber diet prior to pregnancy were much less likely to develop gestational diabetes (GD) than those who did not. In fact, the risk of GD decreased by 26 percent for every 10 g of fiber a woman ate each day. The study also concluded that continually consuming lots of hard-to-digest carbohydrates before pregnancy put women at double the risk for GD. In order to prevent GD, load up on high-fiber foods like whole-wheat pasta, bran flakes, fruits and vegetables, and cut back on foods like donuts, chips and candy.
2. Shed Your Extra Pounds
There is a strong link between obesity or being overweight and the development of gestational diabetes. Of course, trying to lose weight during pregnancy is never recommended, but if you are overweight and thinking about becoming pregnant, take the time beforehand to reduce your body fat percentage. There is also a strong connection between mothers with GD and the development of childhood obesity. Starting a healthy lifestyle now is not only important for yourself and your pregnancy, but also for the health of your kids in the future.
3. Exercise Regularly
Researchers working on a National Institutes of Health study in 2002 discovered that regular, vigorous exercise before and during pregnancy is critical to preventing gestational diabetes. Based on data collected from pregnant women, the researchers found that those who consistently participated in strenuous or very strenuous exercise during the year before pregnancy were 81 percent less likely to get GD than those who did little to no exercise. Even a moderate exertion level of exercise makes a big difference, as it decreased the likelihood of GD by 59 percent.
If you are not already doing so, start a fitness routine that includes moderate to strenuous activities like jogging, aerobics, bicycling or racquetball to get rid of those extra calories and reduce your risk of GD.
