Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs in women when they are pregnant. When this happens a gestational diabetes diet may be needed to correct the problem. If it is not corrected, it could cause potential problems for the pregnant mother as well as her baby.
When we eat, most of our food gets broken down into glucose, which is a simple sugar. The glucose provides our body with the energy we need for daily activity. Insulin is a hormone our body produces that helps our bodies utilize the glucose for energy. When we don’t have enough insulin, our body cannot use the glucose as energy and our blood sugar level starts to rise. Diabetics do not produce sufficient insulin or are insulin resistant and must either alter their diets and/or take insulin to correct this problem.
Gestational diabetes is caused by hormone changes that occur in women during their pregnancies. An increased level of hormones can interfere with the body’s ability to produce insulin and manage glucose levels (also known as insulin resistance). Normally a pregnant mother can produce more insulin, however in some cases this doesn’t occur and gestational diabetes develops.
When this happens, a gestational diabetes diet is needed to keep both the mother and baby healthy. Gestational diabetes is usually temporary and goes away after the pregnancy is over. If it goes untreated, it increases the risk of a pregnant mother from later developing type 2 diabetes. For the baby, it can cause extra weight gain and increase the risk of a premature birth.
If it is discovered that a pregnant woman has developed gestational diabetes, a special diet plan needs to be implemented. Carbohydrates have the largest impact on blood sugar levels because they get broken down into glucose when digested. So it is very important to control the amount and types of carbohydrates eaten at each meal, along with the necessary fats and proteins.
When on a gestational diabetes diet, meals should be eaten at regular intervals with snacks in between. It is very important to not skip any meals or scheduled snacks, in order to maintain proper blood sugar levels. A consistent level of carbohydrates should also be eaten at each meal as well as snack. Foods high in fiber are also important. They aid in digestion and are also digested more slowly which helps to maintain a consistent blood sugar level.
The most important thing to do before going on any gestational diabetes diet, is to consult with your pediatrician or diabetes specialist to make sure that the diet takes into account the special needs of both pregnant mothers and their baby, as well as the gestational diabetes.