Diet to Control Gestational Diabetes during Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes usually develops during the second half of pregnancy or around the 24th week. It is a condition where the body produces insufficient insulin, thereby increasing blood sugar levels.

This puts the unborn foetus at risk. Hence, the most obvious recommendation for a gestational diabetes diet would be to cut out sugar.

But cutting out sugar isn't a solution, as the mother needs energy while she is pregnant. Therefore, a balanced diet has to be achieved. Thus, controlling gestational diabetes through diet is a very good option to reduce any complications.

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What is the Best Food to Consume to Avoid Gestational Diabetes?

Below is a recommended diet for gestational diabetes. In addition, we have discussed the necessity of food classes such as carbs, proteins and fats. While carbs should not be eliminated from the diet, they should be consumed in moderation.

To get the best possible diet, however, consult with your doctor or a dietician. Do not consume any of the foods recommended here in case you are allergic or unsure. Always verify your proposed diet with a qualified doctor.

Carbohydrates

Part of a healthy diet for gestational diabetes includes carbohydrates, but only a minimum amount. Avoid a high carbohydrate meal as it can cause a spike in sugar levels. However, you can consume complex carbohydrates from foods like beans, whole grains, vegetables and substitute carbs with lean meat.

Carbohydrates provide a person with energy, but the excess is stored in the body as fats. Foods like milk, yoghurt, rice, grains, cereals, pasta, potatoes, corn, yam, peas, etc., are foods rich in carbs. Your baby will need the energy from carbohydrates, so you cannot exclude carbs totally from your diet.

Fresh Fruits

Fresh fruits can be eaten in moderation to maintain a good gestational diabetes diet. Berries are a good fruit choice because they are low in sugar and high in fibre. Fruits like apples, oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines too, are also good options.

Moreover, consume whole fruits and not fruit juices because they are rich in fibre. For example, citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, while other fruits like apples and avocado are rich in vitamin A, B, etc.

Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables, either consumed raw or cooked, are a great source of fibre, minerals and vitamins. Vegetables also play an important role in keeping the digestive system running well. However, some vegetables like potatoes, corn, carrots and peas are high in starch. These may raise blood sugar levels.

Vegetables are also known as fibrous carbohydrates and should be consumed al dente or raw for the best intake of nutrients for a gestational diabetes diet.

Lean Protein

Proteins are a vital component of the diet for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. In addition, lean proteins from chicken, fish, turkey, low-fat dairy and eggs are a vital source of amino acids, which are the building blocks of life.

Moreover, proteins help you to feel full and can even help reduce morning sickness. These foods are also a source of B vitamins, iron and zinc. Hence, do not cut back on these minerals, which are highly necessary for foetal growth, development and metabolism.

Low Glycaemic Foods

Low glycaemic foods release sugar slowly. The body breaks these foods down gradually than it does for high glycaemic foods.

Therefore, these foods are ideal for a gestational diabetes diet in which glucose needs to be released moderately rather than all at once.

Foods with a low glycaemic index are beans, lentils, chickpeas, apples, oranges, grapefruit, peaches and pears. All these foods release sugar into the blood slowly, hence keeping the sugar levels stable. You can enjoy the benefits of low glycaemic foods from non-starchy and starchy vegetables.

Nuts

Nuts, such as peanuts and almonds, are a great way to gain many natural fats and proteins. They are also consumed as gestational diabetes food "pairs." When you consume these foods with carbohydrates, they slow down the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Hence, consume them raw, toasted or as nut butter.

Plant Protein

Any form of protein is considered "safe" for gestational diabetes diets. 50% of proteins take around 2-5 hours to turn into glucose, so you feel full for longer. Therefore, plant-based proteins are a good option for vegan moms-to-be.

Nuts, seeds, quinoa, lentils, beans and soya milk are some of the plant proteins that you can try out.

Starchy Vegetables

Starchy vegetables like corn, beets, peas and carrots help provide the much-needed bulk to a meal. They are a good source of vital nutrients like minerals and vitamins. These vegetables should be prepared fresh and not consumed from a can.

Consuming these vegetables in partly cooked form or raw form helps the body to absorb more nutrients. Fully cooked vegetables digest faster and leave you hungry sooner.

Unsaturated Fats

This vital food group helps in the development of the brain and vital organs of the baby. In addition, they are good for blood cholesterol levels. Nut oils like sesame, olive and sunflower oil are a good source of mono-unsaturated fats. Another source of unsaturated fats is poly-unsaturated fats. These fats come from soybeans, walnuts, oily fish and tofu.

Wholegrain Bread and Cereals

Bread and cereals need not be eliminated from the diet. However, they need to be consumed in moderation. Small amounts may be consumed at each meal. However, the portions should be limited to one large slice of wholegrain bread or three tablespoons of rice or a fist-sized baked potato.

Gestational Diabetes: Foods to Avoid

There are some foods to avoid if you want to keep your blood sugar level under control and protect your baby. Consuming these foods will have a derogatory effect on the health of the mother-to-be. The gestational diabetes diet foods to avoid are:

Processed foods
Alcohol (Alcohol in any form harms the growth of the baby. It impairs brain development.)
Sugary drinks
Fried foods
Fast food/junk food (Fast food adds sugar, fat and cholesterol. Therefore, it is low in food value.)
Candies
Starchy foods (White rice and pasta contribute a lot of sugar to the bloodstream.)
Baked treats like cakes, cookies, doughnuts

How Can Proper Diet Control Gestational Diabetes?

Diet-controlled gestational diabetes is possible in the same way Type 2 diabetes is controlled by regulating the food you eat. Since gestational diabetes is intrinsically tied up with the kinds of food you eat, proper diet matters.

A gestational diabetes diet controls the release of glucose into the blood sugar. Hence, eating a proper mix of carbs, proteins and fats can help control and maintain blood sugar levels.

In conclusion, gestational diabetes is not a very serious concern. However, you should not leave it untreated. Proper diet, exercise and avoiding certain foods can prove beneficial for the mother's health. In addition, drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is gestational diabetes a permanent or temporary condition?

Gestational diabetes will usually go away after the delivery. However, if you do not check and control the condition, it may spiral out of hand and develop into Type 2 diabetes. Health care workers will check you and your baby for diabetes post-delivery. Mothers who do not take proper care are at risk of harming the unborn child and themselves.

Does gestational diabetes harm the baby?

Extra sugar in the body can cause your baby to put on weight. You are put at risk because of a bigger baby. The baby’s shoulders may get stuck, or you may bleed, or the child may have trouble maintaining blood sugar level after birth. In addition, gestational diabetes puts you at an increased risk for diabetes later in life.

How to treat gestational diabetes?

Doctors treat gestational diabetes naturally with a regulated gestational diabetes diet and exercise or with medication or insulin.

Which women are at risk for gestational diabetes?

Women who have previously given birth to a baby weighing more than 10 pounds and have a BMI greater than 30 are at greater risk of developing gestational diabetes.