Gestational Diabetes:  Diet Considerations

Most people are familiar with diets for battling diabetes Type I and Type II, but when it comes to gestational diabetes, diet considerations are a much lesser known form of dietary requirements.  This is probably due to the fact that the condition is uncommon; occurring to only about 5 to 7% of pregnant women.  While the percentage may seem slight, it is one of the more frequently seen health issues in expectant mothers.  If the condition continues unchecked, it could prove to have dire consequences for both mom and baby.

 

Gestational diabetes is, quite simply, the condition of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy.  The food that is eaten enters the digestive system where it is broken down into different components, one of which is glucose.  Glucose enters the bloodstream and joins with insulin to provide a source of energy.  Sometimes, however, the glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of being ushered through with its companion, insulin.  For pregnant women, hormonal changes in the body affect many different functions; one of those is the usage of insulin.  When the insulin provided by the pancreas goes unused by the body, the pancreas responds by making even more; believing there to be a shortage.  In some expectant women, the demand for insulin becomes more than the pancreas can handle, and glucose builds up in the blood.  The result is gestational diabetes. 

 

Doctors determine the condition of gestational diabetes through a glucose screening test.  For pregnant women, the diagnosis requires immediate treatment to avoid an excess of glucose from transferring to the baby’s bloodstream.  If too much glucose occurs in the baby’s system, the child’s pancreas will begin to produce more insulin in order to handle the excess sugar.  The baby becomes fatter as result, causing additional weight gain for the mom.  The larger baby now stands the risk of birth complications.  While the mother to be faces the chance of higher blood pressure, the only other real danger is in delivering a large baby, which may require a cesarean section.  Fortunately, in these cases, gestational diabetes disappears once the pregnancy is complete.

 

For women with gestational diabetes, diet is a determination as to the success in managing the condition.  It is recommended that pregnant women consult with a nutritionist to help them develop a food plan that will control the amount of blood sugar is in the system while still providing a healthy, balanced diet.  It is important for both the mother and the unborn baby to receive the nutrition they need during the pregnancy.  A well balanced diet will be developed by the dietician that takes into consideration the woman’s medical history, her height, weight and age. 

 

A key to nutrition planning is the amount and types of carbohydrates consumed.  There are two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex, which have a few similarities while having different effects on the body.  Each carry 4 calories per gram, and both are digested as glucose, or blood sugar.   Simple carbs are those which break down into sugars quickly after consuming them, often causing a spiking of blood sugars.  These carbs generally consist of refined sugars with some vitamins and minerals.  Complex carbohydrates need more time to break down and be digested in the system, and many have a good deal of fiber, vitamins and minerals.  Some examples of each are:

 

Simple Carbohydrates                              Complex Carboydrates
Fruits                                                            Vegetables
Fruit juices                                                    Whole grain breads
Honey                                                           Grains for cereal
Molasses                                                      Legumes (beans, lentils, etc)
White and brown sugar                                Pastas
Milk

Carbohydrates are a necessary element to dietary health, even when planning a gestational diabetes diet.  There are minimum daily requirements to consider when planning a diet, and each woman facing the challenge of managing gestational diabetes must work closely with a dietician who will specifically target her pregnancy carb needs and tailor it to her diet.  It is important to never skip meals; spreading your meals throughout the day will help to keep blood sugar stable.  Each meal will consist of small amounts of food, as overeating or eating too much food at one time is a major cause of increased blood sugar. (continued...)