Gestational Diabetes and Nutrition
You have waited and planned. Started picking out names, decorated the nursery, endured the “morning” sickness, and tried to take good care of yourself and the baby; however, the results of the glucose tolerance test are in and the news is upsetting. Your doctor reports that you’re positive for gestational diabetes. But, “What exactly are gestational diabetes?”, “How is the going to affect the baby?” and “What does this mean for me?” you wonder. Succinctly put, gestational diabetes is usually discovered between 24-28 weeks because this when the placenta begins production of large amounts of the hormones that resist insulin.
So what are some gestational diabetes nutrition tips and guidelines that will make the remainder of your pregnancy healthy for you both? First of all, don’t stress—if you follow the gestational diabetes nutritional tips, guidelines and ideas found here as well as your doctor’s treatment plan, you and the baby will be fine.
Managing your gestational diabetes and nutrition requirements is quite doable thanks to advances in medicine and the variety of foods on the market. Below are several gestational diabetes guidelines to make this dietary transition more palatable.
Gestational Diabetes Guidelines
- Eat nutritional meals and snacks regularly throughout the day. This will maintain that your baby continues to grow normally.
- Slight to moderate reduction of calorie/carbohydrates—especially at breakfast
- Food choices that are based on proper weight gain, glucose levels and the absence or presence of ketones
- Like with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, getting regular exercise combined with a proper diet, is helpful in controlling gestational diabetes
Still a bit unsure about gestational diabetes nutritional guidelines? Well, here are a few gestational diabetes tips and ideas that may help you in your food decisions.
Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Tips for Eating for Two
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Gestational Diabetes Nutrition Tips |
Example |
| Proteins-While pregnant, you need to have an additional 10 grams of protein daily (or a total of 60mg) to have a healthy baby and placenta | A 3 ounce serving of meat equals 20 grams of proteins |
| B vitamins- During pregnancy you need more vitamin B to help metabolize food energy and help the protein make new cells. Folic acid, a type of B vitamin, is especially important during the first trimester. While pregnant you need 600 micrograms of folic acid each day. | ½ cup of boiled navy beans equals 125 micrograms |
| Calcium- Essential for strong bones in mother and baby, while pregnant, you need 1000 mg of calcium each day | 8 ounces of milk has 300mg of calcium |
| Iron- Crucial in the production of the blood’s hemoglobin, which takes oxygen through the body to the placenta, while pregnant, you need 27 mg of iron daily | A 3 ounce of lean beef has nearly 3 mg of iron |
It is important to realize that the idea that a mother having gestational diabetes results in the child having diabetes is incorrect. In most cases the child is not automatically predisposed. However, the baby’s birth weight can have a part. The larger the baby is, the higher the chances they will be overweight later on, putting them at risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
Treating gestational diabetes with good nutritional habits is significant for you both. And, usually, after the baby is born the diabetic diet can be somewhat rescinded. However, it is important to note that women who develop gestational diabetes are much more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later on in life.
So, make healthy gestational diabetes nutritional choices and enjoy your pregnancy! The journey of a lifetime is just beginning.
Tags: diabetic diet, diabetic lifestyle, gestational diabetes and nutrition, gestational diabetes nutrition guidelines, gestational diabetes nutrition ideas, gestational diabetes nutrition tips
