Most women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, which is due to high blood sugar levels. This type of diabetes is noticed almost 3-5% of pregnancies. Inmost women, the disorder goes away when the pregnancy ends, but women with gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 5 to 10 years. If you left untreated, it may eventually lead to several complications that can harm both mother and fetus.
What should be included in your pregnancy diabetes diet chart?
The first step in treating gestational diabetes is to modify your diet that helps to keep your blood-sugar level in the normal range and helps to prevent pregnancy complications. A doctor or nutritionist will help you to plan a pregnancy diabetes diet chart that includes plenty of whole grain products, moderate levels of fat and protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid fatty and starchy foods as these foods can make your diabetes worse.
The diet plan:
If you are pregnant and have diabetes, you need to eat small meals and snacks during the day that help to control your blood sugar levels.
- Your diet plan should have 3 to 4 small meals and 2 to 4 snacks a day. It is ideal for a gestational diabetes diet. This help to keep your blood sugar levels at a normal level throughout the day. Do not miss the meals.
- In your diet, every meal and snacks will include carbohydrates and protein.
- Try to consume foods at the same time every day and also have the equivalent amount of feed at each time as this will help you to maintain your blood-sugar levels.
- Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of fluids each day.
- Ensure that you’re getting enough minerals and vitamins from your daily diet.
Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates are in starchy foods, dairy products, sugar, fruits, and vegetables, which not only pack more nutrients but also help to control your blood-glucose levels and cravings for longer. They are very essential for you and your baby. A few dieticians recommended carbohydrates include
- Low-fat fortified bread like pita, beans
- Leafy greens
- Starchy vegetables such as corn, taro, cassava, potato, and sweet potato
- Fresh fruits like citrus
- Milk, yogurt and calcium-fortified soy milk
Limit sugars:
Avoid foods, which are made of sugars, honey, jelly, corn syrup, maple syrup, and jam. They elevate blood glucose very quickly, which may cause your body’s systems to overload and also trigger symptoms, including extreme fatigue, blurred vision, vomiting, and extreme thirst.
Stay away from sweet chutneys, oily pickles, processed foods as they may contain high levels of sodium, sweet sherbets, packed fruits juices, fizzy drinks, honey, pastries, desserts, and ice cream.
Protein:
Include 2 small serves of protein every day in your pregnancy diabetes diet chart as protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of your body. Focus on healthy proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, nut butter, skinless chicken, lean meat, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, and reduced-fat cheese. Whole grains also offer a good source of protein and complex crabs that should be included in your diet.
Fats:
Cut down on fats, particularly saturated fats. Try to use healthy fats like olive, canola, sunflower oils, margarine, polyunsaturated oils, avocados, and salt fewer nuts. If you want to reduce your saturated fats intake, choose skinless chicken, lean meat and low-fat dairy products. Try to eat grilled foods instead of fried foods.
High-fibers:
Include high-fiber foods in your diet, such as whole-grain bread and cereals, dried peas, beans, legumes, pulses, fresh fruits, and vegetables as they can help to keep your blood-glucose levels by going too high after meals.
