Gestational diabetes, also called gestational diabetes, is a form of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. It usually disappears with the birth of the baby. Nevertheless, it must be taken into account and can be well managed by conscious and healthy nutrition. Often, even a change in diet is enough to resolve diabetes during pregnancy.
Prevent gestational diabetes
For every expectant mother and especially for every child, a healthy balanced diet is the basic requirement. Overweight and an unhealthy one-sided diet are the most common causes of gestational diabetes. Therefore, these factors should be excluded in advance, if possible.
During pregnancy, sporting activities are sometimes only possible to a limited extent. A walk in the fresh air of at least one hour per day provides a good healthy feeling for mother and child. It is best to start making healthy changes to your diet before pregnancy and prevent gestational diabetes in good time.
The “eating for two” associated with every pregnancy is simply wrong. In the first half of pregnancy, the energy requirement is not increased, in the second half of pregnancy only by 100-300 kcal. Therefore, listen to the signals of your body and the feeling of satiety during the meal. As soon as gestational diabetes is diagnosed, you should also seek individual advice on nutrition based on your blood glucose levels.
Eating healthy with diabetes during pregnancy
Avoiding sugar is a well-known criterion in diabetes. Meanwhile, there are numerous products and foods in the supermarket that are “suitable for diabetics”. But beware, sugar is replaced in these products by sugar substitutes, such as fructose, but the proportion of calories and fat is increased. Fruits, with the exception of grapes and overripe, sweet fruits, as well as vegetables or whole grains, offer the better and healthy alternative.
If you have gestational diabetes, generally avoid any type of sugar, such as desserts, chocolate, glucose, or sugary drinks. Sweeten with sweetener, if at all.
The right nutrients for gestational diabetes
To meet calcium intake, mother and baby need dairy products – but in moderation and preferably low-fat products.
High-fiber foods, such as whole-grain bread, have many benefits. They are digested more slowly, thus ensuring a long-lasting feeling of satiety and causing a delayed rise in blood sugar levels. They also prevent constipation, which is typical during pregnancy.
Tips for proper drinking
Drinking is important, but again, don’t drink sugary, alcoholic, caffeinated or high-calorie beverages. Various teas and fruit juices, along with water, provide healthy variety. Animal fats should be largely replaced by polyunsaturated fats of plant origin, if possible.
Seven tips on nutrition for gestational diabetes
The following seven tips are essential to keep in mind regarding proper nutrition for gestational diabetes:
- Listen to the signals of the body
- Eat only until you are full
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day
- Drink at least 2 liters of water, tea or fruit juice spritzers daily
- Prefer whole grain products, they contain valuable vitamins, minerals and fiber
- Herbs bring flavorful variety in the diet
- Use animal fats and meat only sparingly
