Pregnancy diabetes diet menu || Pregnancy diabetes is a type of diabetes that only appears during pregnancy and causes a high level of glucose in the blood. This happens because at this stage insulin, which is the hormone that the pancreas generates to help eliminate glucose, is not produced in the same way as when you are not pregnant.
- How do I know if I have gestational diabetes?
- Risks of diabetes in pregnancy
- Diets for diabetes in pregnancy
- recommended foods
- personalized diet
- How to control diabetes after pregnancy
Pregnancy diabetes diet menu: recommendations and care
what is Pregnancy diabetes?
Pregnancy diabetes is the presence of high blood glucose that begins or is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Women over 25 years of age with a family history of the disease, with high blood pressure or who were overweight before pregnancy are the ones with the highest risk of suffering from it.
According to the US Institutes of Health, although gestational diabetes can start without causing discomfort, some mothers-to-be may experience gestational diabetes with the following symptoms:
- blurry vision
- fatigue
- Frequent infections, including those of the bladder, vagina, and skin;
- increased thirst
- increased urination or nausea and vomiting
- weight loss or gain The reasons why diabetes appears are unknown, but it is known, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (USA) , that
It starts when the body cannot make or use all the insulin needed for pregnancy. Without enough of it, glucose cannot be transported into the cell, converted into energy, and reduced in the blood. The glucose level rises because it accumulates in the blood. This is called hyperglycemia.
How do I know if I have Pregnancy diabetes?
It normally debuts in most cases in the middle of pregnancy. Hence, all expectant mothers undergo an oral glucose tolerance test between weeks 24 and 28 to detect its presence. Women who have risk factors for this type of diabetes should be screened earlier.
The symptoms of gestational diabetes aren't always visible to the naked eye, so doctors turn to routine blood tests to monitor mom's health.
In addition, the aforementioned glucose tolerance test is performed between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy, which can detect this type of disease.
Risks of diabetes in pregnancy
If diabetes in pregnancy is not treated properly, it can have very serious consequences for both the mother and the baby.
Diets for Pregnancy diabetes
To keep your blood glucose level under control and from spiking, follow these guidelines during your pregnancy.
- You must have a healthy and balanced diet, adjusting the caloric amount of the food you eat each day. If you follow this type of diet, your blood sugar level will remain stable. You should eat three meals a day in a balanced way, and have two snacks in the morning and afternoon, so that hypoglycemia does not occur, caused when you spend a long time without eating food. On many occasions, it is advised that even up to 6 meals a day be made in small quantities and that, therefore, you eat food every 2 or 3 hours.
- It is important that you avoid foods that incorporate simple sugars in their composition, such as pastries, sweets or soft drinks with sugar such as Coca-Cola or soda. This type of sugar causes the blood glucose level to rise very quickly.
- You should not make strong or very restrictive diets, because they can be dangerous for the baby and you will not be able to offer all the necessary nutrients.
- The diet should be moderate in fat and protein, and with controlled carbohydrate levels through the intake of fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates (bread, cereals, rice and pasta).
- In turn, carbonated drinks, fruit juices and sweet pastries should be reduced, due to their high sugar content. It is important to eat three small to moderate meals a day, along with one or two snacks that should not be skipped to maintain optimal blood glucose levels.
- You have to watch the amounts and portions of food (fat, protein and carbohydrates) every day and not "eat for two", since it is estimated that a pregnant woman needs approximately 300 extra Kcal per day.
- The practice of daily exercise without having to make great efforts is one of the 'golden rules to control diabetes.
If diet and exercise don't achieve your goals, your doctor may need to prescribe a treatment for gestational diabetes using oral drugs or insulin.
Recommended foods
Fibre-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables, legumes, or whole-grain bread and pasta are very good. You must include animal proteins and avoid fats as much as possible. Dairy products are essential food during pregnancy since they provide you with calcium in large quantities and naturally.
Pregnancy diabetes diet menu
So that you can carry a pregnancy with the Pregnancy diabetes diet menu in the easiest way possible, we are going to give you an example of a gestational diet, but keep in mind that the diet recommended by your doctor will always prevail.
- Breakfast: You can have milk, yoghurt, or toast with whole-grain bread or whole-grain cereals.
- Lunch and snack: A piece of fruit or some type of complex hydrates such as wholemeal bread, or a portion of dairy products.
- Lunch and dinner: You can have a portion of protein such as meat, fish or egg, accompanied by a portion of vegetables. You can also opt for a portion of legumes.
You must remember that you should not eat raw foods and always cook them at high temperatures. You should always wash fruit and vegetables very well to avoid bacteria and parasites that can cause toxoplasmosis.
How to control Pregnancy diabetes after pregnancy?
Once the baby is born, the mother who has suffered from Pregnancy diabetes should have annual check-ups to see how her metabolism is working. Sometimes there is usually a sequel that can be solved with a diet. If you are overweight, you should lose the extra kilos, so that diabetes does not get complicated, with a healthy and balanced diet and with exercise.
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