10 Dietary Tips Of Diabetes During Pregnancy

10 Dietary Tips of Diabetes during pregnancy

Gestational Diabetes is the Diabetes which develops during pregnancy. It is temporary Diabetes and generally goes away after delivery. It is very important to choose a proper balanced diet to meet nutritional needs of mother and baby along with keeping the sugar level within the acceptable range in Gestational Diabetes.

Carbohydrates: It is the major source of energy and it also raises blood sugar rapidly so monitoring total carbohydrate per serving is very important for Diabetic. Cautiously we have to distribute complex carbohydrates throughout the day so that it can keep our blood sugar stable.

Proteins:  an essential nutrient for healthy mother and baby. Choosing lean meats is a good option.

Fats: Fats does not help in raising blood sugar directly but these are calorie dense and to maintain a proper weight in gestational diabetes, saturated fats should be restricted and opt for healthy fats.

Gist of Diet for Gestational Diabetes:

             Include complex carbohydrates like whole grains and beans as they provide enough fiber which is essential for proper digestion. Avoid simple carbohydrates like white rice and white bread.

             Include low GI foods as it takes a longer time to digest and there is a less chance of raising blood sugar.  Avoid high GI foods like baked potato, cornflakes, white rice, and white bread.

Some low GI foods include- wheat flour pasta, fruits like apples, oranges, pears, beans and lentils, sweet corn porridge.

             Incorporate lean meats, skinless chicken, small varieties of fish, egg whites and avoid fatty meats.

             Include plenty of citrus fruits and vegetables like green beans, green peas, bean sprouts, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, varieties of gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, mushrooms, radishes, onions, tomatoes, turnips, leafy vegetables, oranges, sweet lime, green apples, pears, jambul, jambul, guava, watermelon, ripe papaya etc. into our diet as fibres keeps satiated for longer hours and keeps blood sugar stable.

             Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products like curd, yogurt or cheese.

             Avoid refined sugar, added sugar, honey, sweets, desserts, fizzy drinks, canned juices because they suddenly raise blood sugar level as our body easily absorbs it. To stop craving for sweets sparingly choose home-made desserts prepared with double toned milk and sugar substitutes.

             Avoid saturated fats like butter, ghee and pastries instead include unsaturated healthy fats like flax seeds, olive, canola, sunflower oil. Also, avoid fried and greasy foods.

             Choose small and frequent meals to maintain our blood sugar level and avoid skipping meals. Smaller meals stabilize blood sugar more properly than larger and infrequent meals.

             Avoid tea, coffee, cold or soft drinks due to its high caffeine content as it harms the baby. Include plenty of water, clear soda water or green tea.  Green tea contains polyphenols and polysaccharides which help in reducing blood sugar level by improving insulin activity.

             There are no restrictions of herbs and spices in cooking. Choose natural remedies like fenugreek i.e. methi and cinnamon.

             Use artificial sweeteners cautiously.

             Avoid foods causing listeria like precooked or cured meat, sausages, raw sprouts, smoked seafood, unpasteurized milk, and dairy products. And regularly clean refrigerator.

             Regular exercise like brisk walking, stretching, and yoga for one hour is also essential for the healthy pregnancy as intense exercise burns the extra glucose from the body and helps in maintaining blood sugar level.

             Keep away from stress as stress increases the release of stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol which raises blood sugar levels.