Gestational diabetes is a condition wherein women who never experienced any type of diabetes suddenly acquire this health problem because of pregnancy. This illness is also referred to as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or GDM. This is actually a problem that almost 5% of pregnant women encounter. It does not really pose any serious threat to the baby nor does it lead to harmful delivery, unless the case is severe. However, deliberate action has to be done to be able to control the blood sugar level.
Proper gestational diabetes diet will do a lot of benefits. When a woman is pregnant, it is important to have optimum health to ensure that she and the baby would be fine. Problem is, since pregnant women are in a sensitive situation, they could not just take any type of medication since this may cause side effects, not just on her but the fetus too.
So long as the GDM is not yet a severe case, gestational diabetes diet can easily resolve it. The primary aspect that has to be dealt with is the level of insulin in the body. If you are suffering from GDM, you should switch your diet so that your body can produce enough amount of insulin that would sustain the cells.
It has to be noted though that gestational diabetes diet is not something that you can just resort to on your own. Being pregnant also entails getting enough vitamins and minerals that should nourish your body and the growing fetus. Hence, it is best to consult a physician or a nutritionist so that the proper meal plan can be created, depending on your specific needs.
Important Aspects of Gestational Diabetes Diet
The meal plan may vary from one person to another since pregnant women have particular needs when it comes to the amount of vitamins and minerals. However, there are certain basic regulations that are usually followed when it comes to gestational diabetes diet.
Carbohydrates will help in keeping your insulin level regulated. Problem is, the type of carbohydrate has to be chosen properly. Simple carbohydrates from pasta, pizza, white bread and polished grains would not be beneficial for your health. Opt for complex carbs from potato and other root crops because this can be easily converted as energy source that the body can use up. Complex carbohydrates would not promote fat storage too.
Fiber from fruits and vegetable is also important. Eating a lot of fruits even in between meals will help you avoid feeling hungry. The fiber will make you feel full without stuffing too much food in your body. This prevents fluctuation of blood sugar levels. Aside from that, when you have high amount of fiber in your diet, this prevents toxins to get transported through your blood stream.
Drinks with high amount of sugar are not recommended too. This will make your blood sugar level go haywire. Instead of opting for soda, artificial juices or coffee, drink lots of water instead. You can add lemon for some flavour but in moderation too.
In gestational diabetes diet, eating 2 to 3 full meals and 3 to 4 snacks in between is recommended. Just make sure to eat only in small proportions so that your body can digest it well.