Diabetes is one of the major heath menaces that keep health experts and doctors on their toes. However, not everyone is diagnosed with the same type of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is one variant of this ailment that is related with pregnancy. Only women who conceive can develop this type of diabetes during pregnancy. In most cases, women develop this diabetes in their first pregnancy. In some other cases mild and undiagnosed case of diabetes gets aggravated in pregnant women.
How and why it develops?
In pregnancy, the way insulin is used in the human body is altered. It is a hormone that extracts the glucose from foods and then the glucose is used for energy generation. During pregnancy, the body may stop responding to insulin in some instances. The reduction in insulin can also happen and this leads to an increase in the amount of sugar in the blood- paving way to the onset of gestational diabetes. Women who are obese or those with a family history of diabetes are more prone to developing it.
Gestational diabetes can be quite harmful to both mother and the kid. The baby may become obese soon and the mother can develop high blood pressure. However, it tends to disappear after the childbirth in most cases.
Ideal diet for women afflicted with Gestational Diabetes
As it is, women tend to think more on their diet and ideal foods once they learn about pregnancy. If you are diagnosed with Gestational diabetes, your diet worries are likely to multiply! It may seem somewhat overwhelming. You may be thinking about endless queries regarding what to eat and what foods to skip.
Getting the basics clear
Contrary to what you may have thought, the diet for those afflicted with gestational diabetes is not drastically different from those pregnant women without the ailment. You may have to cut down on some type of food and increase intake of others. The main aim would be keeping blood glucose levels under control. Since eating carbohydrates has a direct impact on blood glucose levels and so you have to eat it in moderation. Choosing better sources of carbs is also necessary in this regard. This means you have to eat wholegrain starchy foods, fruit, pulses etc.
Eat oily fish since it is good for both you and the fetus. However, it would be a good idea to evade eating fish with elevated mercury levels. Try to eat dairy foods with low amounts of calorie and fat. You may also eat foods with protein if fish is not exactly your thing. Also include a fair amount of produce in your diet.
It is also prudent to eat foods at a steady frequency when you are pregnant. Eating foods at a steady pace ensures your blood sugar level remains steady. Eating fiber rich foods also help stabilizing blood sugar levels after consuming meals.
You also need to intake healthy fats in your diet when you find you have this condition. You need to eat foods imbued with monounsaturated fats as well as polyunsaturated fats. These foods have omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Examples include Olive oil, avocados, nuts, tofu, soy milk and flax seed.
Read More: Gestational Diabetes : Signs and Symptoms
What foods to evade
If you have got diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is natural that you have to avoid foods meant for diabetic lot. It would be good to stay away from processed food as far as you can. While eating fruit is good, refrain from eating fruits with too much natural sugar.
Watch your portions
It is quite important to keep watch over the quantity of food you eat. Portion control is important and you should be even more careful if you are eating snacks in between. As for snacks, it is better to stick to dry fruits and vegetables and evade the friend and spicy ones.
What about the beverages
You will have to stay well hydrated during pregnancy, regardless of whether you have gestational diabetes or not! However, drinking plenty of water is what you need to do. Stay away from in taking too much coffee and tea and aerated drinks. The medical opinion on safety of alcohol intake during pregnancy is disputable and so you should avoid it as far as possible.
