Diet for Gestational Diabetes
Approximately 4% of women who are pregnant in the United States will be affected by gestational diabetes. It is a misunderstood disease in that medical research has been unable to pinpoint why women suffer from it during pregnancy only to see it disappear after the baby is born. The stress and increased hormonal activity associated with pregnancy is thought to be a factor but women who are at risk will need to follow a diet for gestational diabetes.
Expectant mothers who were already diabetic at the time of conception will also need to follow this type of diet.
Any woman with gestational diabetes should consult with a registered dietician to help create the proper diet plan for her and her unborn baby. Control of blood sugar levels during pregnancy is of the utmost importance and modification of dietary intake is the best way to accomplish this.
During a pregnancy the goal of the diet for gestational diabetes is to ensure the proper amount of calories and nutrients for the mother and baby while also keeping blood glucose levels under control. The diet itself is individualized to each woman based on her height and weight.
Blood glucose levels will also need be tested and measured at least four times a day. This is done to ensure that the woman’s blood sugars remain under control through out the day. The frequency of testing can be decreased once good glucose control is established but self monitoring will need to continue through out the pregnancy.
It is important that the meal plan meet the nutritional and weight gain needs of a normal pregnancy. During the first trimester of a normal pregnancy the woman should gain from 2 to 4 pounds. Once the second and third trimester starts the weight gain should average a pound a week. Caloric intake will need to be increased by approximately 100 to 300 calories per day during the second trimester. At the same time protein will need to be increased to 10 grams per day. This can be accomplished by drinking 2 glasses of milk or eating 1 to 2 ounces of meat each day.
One of the biggest dangers of inadequate caloric intake is diabetic ketoacidosis. A pregnant woman should never restrict the amount of calories she eats unless so directed by her doctor. The calories she does eat should come from highly nutritious foods and should not be less then 1700 to 1800 per day.
Any pregnant woman who is diagnosed with this dangerous disease will need to follow a diet for gestational diabetes to ensure the health and well being of her unborn baby.
Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diet-for-gestational-diabetes-671209.html
admin on March 13th 2010 in Diabetes Diet Meal Plan
Michelle responded on 13 Mar 2010 at 1:23 pm #
What kind of diet is for Gestational Diabetes?
I think I have the worst doctor. He told me today I have gestational diabetes and asked the nurse to give me some dietary education, but then everyone disappeared and I didn’t get any education at all. I’ve never had this before and have no clue what to do! All they told me was that diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise…. but no info on the kind of diet. we’re going into a holiday weekend so I know I won’t get any appointments with dieticians or specialists until next week or the week after at the earliest. Meanwhile, do you guys have any suggestions of simple foods to eat/diets to follow? Am I supposed to avoid sugar totally?
P.S. I am so angry at my doctor, and feel really guilty about having diabetes. Any suggestions on how to cope would be great!
kiki responded on 13 Mar 2010 at 6:25 pm #
I’m sure if you looked on the web, you’d find plenty of suggestions. There is nothing to feel guilty about, you have no control over your body’s reaction to the pregnancy.
I totally understand your anger at the doctors office, and I feel you should discuss this at your next visit.
It’s not a matter of totally avoiding sugar, it’s a matter of a healthy balance. There are so many sites out there, I’m sure that you’ll find some help on eating right to help yourself. Good luck.
References :
~Blunta~ responded on 13 Mar 2010 at 6:27 pm #
Here are some general guidelines:
• Eat a variety of foods, distributing calories and carbohydrates evenly throughout the day. Make sure both your meals and your snacks are balanced. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat three small-to-moderate-sized meals and two to four snacks every day, including an after-dinner snack. Although your meal plan may contain fewer carbs than you normally eat, complex carbohydrates should continue to provide most of your calories.
• Don’t skip meals. Be consistent about when you eat them and the amount of food you eat at each one. Your blood sugar will remain more stable if your food is distributed evenly throughout the day and consistently from day to day.
• Eat a good breakfast. Your blood glucose levels are most likely to be out of whack in the morning. To keep your level in a healthy range, you may have to limit carbohydrates (breads, cereal, fruit, and milk), boost your protein intake, and possibly avoid fruit and juice altogether.
• Include high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and dried peas, beans, and legumes. These foods are broken down and absorbed more slowly than simple carbohydrates, which may help keep your blood sugar levels from going too high after meals.
• Limit your intake of foods and beverages that contain simple sugars such as soda, fruit juice, flavored teas, and most desserts — or avoid them altogether. These foods can quickly elevate your blood sugar. Ask your healthcare practitioner about using foods sweetened with an artificial sweetener if you need a sweet fix.
• Milk is high in lactose, a simple sugar, so if you drink more than two or three glasses a day, you may need to limit the amount you drink and find an alternative source of calcium. If you’re looking for a new beverage of choice, try club soda with a squeeze of lemon or orange, or unsweetened decaffeinated iced tea.
Moderately increasing your activity level is also a good way to help keep your blood glucose levels at normal levels. Again, speak with your diabetes educator or practitioner about the right amount and intensity of exercise for you.
http://www.babycenter.com/400_what-type-of-diet-should-i-follow-if-i-have-gestational-diab_505181_1000.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%405157f6a2
I really think you should see another doctor if possible. Gestational diabets can be very serious to you and your baby. I had gestational with my last son. My doctor sent me home with a glucose monitor (which you should REALLY have) and had a dieticain come to my house to go over a personalized diet plan for me. I also had to test my glucose 4 times a day and call it in to the doctors office (of corse it was automatied, but at least they kept CLOSE watch on my results) and test my urine once a day int he mornings. I think you are very justified in feeling angry. This is nothing you did and this is your baby and you are just trying to care for it!! Please find someone who cares about your baby as much as you do….or at least acts like it!! lol I wish you the best!! good luck to you and your baby!!
References :
Cathy :) responded on 13 Mar 2010 at 6:29 pm #
I hate it when pple plug other sites on yahoo but i’m gonna be really anoyin and do it anyway! You should join a facebook group called Diabetic Pregnancies – join facebook 1st at http://www.facebook.com. I have type 1 but there’s a lot of people on it with gestational diabetes and they’ll give you heaps of support. I’d be mad with the dr too, but don’t feel guilty – you don’t have type 2 diabetes so there’s nothing you could have done to prevent yourself from getting it – it’s not your fault at all – gestational and type 1 diabetes aren’t caused by diet or lifestyle! Sorry I don’t know a lot about gd but at a guess untill you get some better advice I’d go for a low carb diet – cut down on bread, potatoes, rice, pasta etc. as well as sugar – some sugar is ok but avoid that too. Not all gd can be controled with diet and exersise so don’t feel bad if it turns out yours can’t – that’s not your fault either – and don’t let them fob you off saying it can be – i’d def ask to see a specialist. Hope that helps – good luck and enjly your holiday
xxxx
References :
Anwares responded on 13 Mar 2010 at 6:31 pm #
Diet which is lack of sugar content..half of the diet of normal ppl……so u should have less sugar in ur diet
References :