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Gestational Diabetes Diet
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Published: February 21, 2007
Gestational diabetes is a rare type of diabetes that targets pregnant women. It results from a deficiency in glucose due to the body's weakened ability to control glucose levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes is usually detected within the last few months of pregnancy, and the disease results in high glucose or sugar levels in about 4% of all pregnancies.
Higher risks factors for developing gestational diabetes include: being overweight, a previous still born birth, a previous birth to a baby over 9 pounds, and lastly, race.
One of the best ways to treat gestational diabetes is through a diabetes diet. A gestational diabetes diet follows a strict timetable that involves eating three meals and at least two or three snacks throughout the day. Meals and snacks should not be missed when following a diabetes diet or a drastic change in blood sugar will occur.
It's important for women to monitor their glucose levels while on a diabetes diet. Women experiencing low glucose levels around 60mg/dL, should immediately consume sugar-containing food or beverages in order to bring their levels up. Some foods beneficial to raising glucose levels are fruit juices, hard candy, soft drinks, and even brown sugar or corn syrup. If the next meal is more than 45 minutes away, impregnated women should consume a carbohydrate or protein source to prevent another outbreak.
A gestational diabetes diet, akin to the type 2 diabetes diet ,contains high levels of fiber and carbohydrates. Whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables are the best sources for the essential for the 20-35 grams of fiber a pregnant woman needs per day. Fats should make up less than 30% of the daily diabetes diet. Saturated fats should consist of only 10 % of all fat consumed. Along with this diet for diabetes, pregnant women need to drink at least 8 beverages per day or more then 64 ounces. Additional vitamins and minerals are suggested to supply the rest of the required nutrients not consumed in the diabetes diet.
If morning sickness occurs, the diabetes diet should be amended to avoid all fatty, fried, and greasy foods. Before getting out of bed in the morning, women should eat one or two servings of crackers, pretzels, or cereal. They should also eat small, but frequent meals throughout the course of the day. Women with low blood glucose levels should add snack to their diabetes diet in order to raise sugar levels.
Though gestational diabetes is rare, its effects are harmful to an unborn child. The baby may be born with breathing problems and macrosomia which causes obesity in a newborn and shoulder problems. However, these problems can be reduced by the mother's decisions. With a healthy diabetes diet and attention to blood glucose levels, gestational diabetes can be avoided.
Sources:
"Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes." WebMD. 2005-2007. WebMD, Inc. 15 Feb. 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/content/article/46/1667_5 1908>.
"Good Prenatal Care." American Diabetes Association. 15 Feb. 2007 <http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/sex-an d-pregnancy/prenatal-care.jsp>.
"Gestational Diabetes." American Diabetes Association. 15 Feb. 2007 <http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.j sp>.
Related Articles
One of the best ways to treat gestational diabetes is through a diabetes diet. A gestational diabetes diet follows a strict timetable that involves eating three meals and at least two or three snacks throughout the day. Meals and snacks should not be missed when following a diabetes diet or a drastic change in blood sugar will occur.
It's important for women to monitor their glucose levels while on a diabetes diet. Women experiencing low glucose levels around 60mg/dL, should immediately consume sugar-containing food or beverages in order to bring their levels up. Some foods beneficial to raising glucose levels are fruit juices, hard candy, soft drinks, and even brown sugar or corn syrup. If the next meal is more than 45 minutes away, impregnated women should consume a carbohydrate or protein source to prevent another outbreak.
A gestational diabetes diet, akin to the type 2 diabetes diet ,contains high levels of fiber and carbohydrates. Whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables are the best sources for the essential for the 20-35 grams of fiber a pregnant woman needs per day. Fats should make up less than 30% of the daily diabetes diet. Saturated fats should consist of only 10 % of all fat consumed. Along with this diet for diabetes, pregnant women need to drink at least 8 beverages per day or more then 64 ounces. Additional vitamins and minerals are suggested to supply the rest of the required nutrients not consumed in the diabetes diet.
If morning sickness occurs, the diabetes diet should be amended to avoid all fatty, fried, and greasy foods. Before getting out of bed in the morning, women should eat one or two servings of crackers, pretzels, or cereal. They should also eat small, but frequent meals throughout the course of the day. Women with low blood glucose levels should add snack to their diabetes diet in order to raise sugar levels.
Though gestational diabetes is rare, its effects are harmful to an unborn child. The baby may be born with breathing problems and macrosomia which causes obesity in a newborn and shoulder problems. However, these problems can be reduced by the mother's decisions. With a healthy diabetes diet and attention to blood glucose levels, gestational diabetes can be avoided.
Sources:
"Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes." WebMD. 2005-2007. WebMD, Inc. 15 Feb. 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/content/article/46/1667_5 1908>.
"Good Prenatal Care." American Diabetes Association. 15 Feb. 2007 <http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/sex-an d-pregnancy/prenatal-care.jsp>.
"Gestational Diabetes." American Diabetes Association. 15 Feb. 2007 <http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.j sp>.
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