Weight Management During Pregnancy for Women at Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Weight Management During Pregnancy for Women at Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Around 7% of women suffer from gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes happens in women during pregnancy. This form of diabetes is generally detected during the second trimester of the pregnancies and is cured as soon as your baby is delivered. Nonetheless, if you are dealing with gestational diabetes chances are you might have some questions and doubts.  

Well, worry not because we are here to offer information that can help in weight management as well as living with gestational diabetes up until you deliver a happy and healthy baby. 

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the first thing that you need to do is change your eating habits while monitoring your glucose level daily. Another method of keeping your glucose levels in check is reducing carb-based food sources that convert into sugar and could increase your blood glucose level.  

What Carbs in Food You Should Avoid 

Carbs are found in the following food varieties that you should avoid if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes: 

• Milk and yogurt 
• Fruits: rich in sugar and juices
• Rice, grains, oats, and pasta 
• Bread, tortillas, wafers, bagels, and rolls 
• Beans, peas, and lentils 
• Potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, and winter squash 
• Desserts rich in sugar, honey, maple syrups, cakes, 
• Soda based beverages, among others 

Eat Starch Sensibly

Starchy foods are rich in carbohydrates and they transform into glucose, so you should be careful about the quantity in which you consume them. Eating an unreasonable quantity of starchy food could lead to a sudden increase in blood glucose levels. A slice or two of bread is acceptable but a whole pizza, no. Weight management with gestational diabetes can be tough if you won’t give up carbs. 

Drink Milk Sensibly 

Milk is considered a healthy beverage as it is rich in calcium and essential for you when you are pregnant. However, milk is a liquid form of starch, and drinking a lot in an entire day leads to a spike in glucose levels. You can try changing to fat-free milk in case you want to include milk-based beverages in your diet. 

Limit Your Fruits Intake  

Just like milk, fruits are too considered good food, however, they are high in regular sugars. You might eat one to three portions of fruits daily, but do not overdo it. Avoid consuming canned fruits which are preserved in sugar syrups. Managing sugar levels with gestational diabetes is essential for a healthy you and baby.

Breakfast matters 

Glucose can be hard to control at the beginning of the day due to changes in hormone levels in your body. Refined carbs, fruits, and milk should be avoided in the breakfast but can be consumed post-breakfast. If you want to control your glucose level you should eat a breakfast rich in protein and not carbs.  

Stay Away From Juices 

Fresh juices may rejuvenate you but they can also spike your glucose level significantly. Made from more than a few fruits, a glass of juice is filled with carbohydrates and sugar, which could be harmful to you if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  

Limit Desserts and pastries 

Cakes, confections, and baked goods, in general, have an unnecessary amount of carbohydrates and sugar. These food varieties contain a lot of fat and offer very little sustenance. You should also avoid sodas and sugar-based beverages if you want to maintain your weight during your pregnancy.

• Avoid added sugars 
• Try not to add sugar, honey, or syrup  
• Use sugar substitutes like Aspartame, Sucralose, and more.

Keep food records 

Weight management with gestational diabetes can be successful if you follow all the above-mentioned tips as well as keep a record of food items and quantities that you can consume in the entire day. This will help you keep a check on your carbohydrates intake and help you manage your sugar level.  

Conclusion:

If you have been worried about gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, then you don’t need to. All women who have been diagnosed with diabetes during their pregnancies have delivered healthy babies. 

We understand that you might have some concerns when it comes to your baby and it is normal. All you have to do is manage your blood sugar levels and keep a check on your carbohydrates intake. If you want, you can also reach out to a dietitian for a weight management plan that can help you control the after-effects of diabetes during your pregnancy. 

Studies: 

Gestational diabetes mellitus

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4404472/

The Pathophysiology of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6274679/

Gestational diabetes from A to Z

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5740094/

Interventions to prevent women developing gestational diabetes mellitus: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6515838/

Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes and Risk of Progression to Type 2 Diabetes: a Global Perspective

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6675405/