A pregnant woman can develop diabetes during pregnancy, this is what we called gestational diabetes. Diet for gestational diabetes plays a big role in preventing and controlling the severity of the condition. This diet helps the mother to control the intake of foods that they need to eat. The diabetes cannot be cured but can be controlled so it is very important to consult the dietitian, nutritionist or the doctor to seek for advice about the foods that a pregnant woman with diabetes needs to eat. It is very important to be aware in the glucose level too much of glucose in the blood is very dangerous, it can affect not only the mother but also the baby in the womb. The gestational diabetes is a common condition that affects approximately 4% of pregnant woman. Here is a basic guidelines for this condition:
-Avoid refined carbohydrates, the most important thing that the patient can do is eliminate the refined carbohydrates. This includes sugar, white flour, regular pasta and white rice. These carbohydrates are lurking in cookies, cake, soft drinks, coffee beverages, pasta dishes, crackers, tortillas and breads that are not made from whole wheat flour. Taking these foods causes the blood sugar level to raise. And high level of glucose in the blood, increase the chance of having complications like pre-eclampsia and having a very large baby that can lead to cesarean section.
-Eat Natural Carbohydrates in moderation- A good diet should include a lot of grains and other natural carbohydrates. We can found these natural carbohydrate in brown rice, whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, cereal made from whole wheat, beans, fruits, and vegetables. These are all healthy options, too many servings of it can also lead to elevation of blood sugar levels. The health care provider will give the patient the exact desired servings for each day, based on the weight and other factors of the patient.
-Daily needs- after knowing the foods to be avoided, it is very important to know the daily needs of the body to function the body properly. Most pregnant women with diabetes should eat the following every day: six to 10 servings of bread and grains, most of them whole grains; two to six servings of fruit, choosing whole fruit instead of juice; four or more servings of vegetables; three to four servings of dairy products; and three servings of meat or other proteins including fish, nuts and eggs.
Here is a sample menu that can give a pregnant woman with diabetes an idea about a healthy foods that she can eat.
Breakfast2 slices whole wheat toast2 tbsp. of no-sugar-added peanut butter1 small banana
Mid-Morning Snack1 oz. cheddar cheese6 whole wheat crackers
LunchWrap made with a whole grain tortilla, 2 oz. sliced turkey, a slice of tomato, eight baby spinach leaves and one wedge of Laughing Cow light cheeseBaby carrots with light ranch dressing8 oz. milk to drink
Afternoon Snack¼ cup cashews1 small apple
Dinner½ grilled chicken breast½ cup steamed broccoli ½ cup brown rice1 cup tossed salad with light dressing
Evening Snack6 oz. yogurt¼ cup sliced strawberries
Diet for gestational diabetes is a very big factor to avoid the increase incidence of complications because of diabetes. To make it more effective some physical activity can also be helpful to control this condition.
Diets For Gestational Diabetes – What is the Effect of Diet in …
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