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Submitted by Kohila on 11 November 2017

Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju talks about the risks of Gestational Diabetes and how it should be avoided or controlled for the sake of the health of the mother and the child to be born.

Gestational Diabetes, or GD, is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears once the baby is delivered. Usually GD develops during the second half of the pregnancy and in most women the symptoms of diabetes are not noticeable.

The risk of developing GD increases if:

  • Mother has pre-diabetes or if her parent has Type 2 diabetes.
  • Mother is overweight with BMI more than 30

Pregnant women, once diagnosed with GD, may need more-frequent check-ups to monitor the blood sugar levels and the baby’s health.

When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with GD, she should learn to measure and manage the blood sugar levels. She also should make adjustments to her diets and medications if recommended. In most women, blood sugar levels will return to normal after the delivery. To ensure, the mother’s blood sugar levels should be monitored till six weeks after delivery.

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Learn more about Pregnancy and Diabetes

Complications of Gestational Diabetes

In pregnant women with poor maternal glycemic control, excess glucose floating in the blood triggers more insulin production in the baby. It also leads to early birth and respiratory distress syndrome in the new born. Mothers too, get highly prone to hypertension.

Diet Therapy for Gestational Diabetes

Eating healthy food will help reverse Gestational Diabetes

  • Enjoy food which are rich in fibres, vitamins and minerals like whole grains and bright coloured fruits and vegetables. Fruits like apple, kiwi, berries, oranges, banana, dragon fruits are good sources of Vitamin A, B, C, K, fibre, folate, choline, magnesium and potassium. Vegetables like spinach, peas, broccolis are good sources of folate. Turnips, sweet potatoes, okra, green beans, tomatoes, mushrooms are rich in key minerals, fibre and other crucial nutrients during pregnancy.
  • Focus on 1 or 2 servings of carbohydrate like rice, bread, noodles, pasta, chappati, whole wheat/ragi roti with 1 or 2 servings of protein like cooked dal, kidney beans salad, peas soup, green been curry, chick peas with tomatoes and lean meat.
  • Watch portion size
  • Consistency in meal and snack timing.
  • Consume milk
  • Control the use of artificial sugar
  • Limit the consumption of caffeine (2 cups of coffee/day)

Tip: If planning to get pregnant, losing extra weight before pregnancy will help one to have a healthy pregnancy. 

Read: Pre-conception care for a healthy pregnancy

Physical activity during Pregnancy

Pregnant women should not gain more than 0.5kg /week.

  • Exercise before and during pregnancy will help protect pregnant women from developing Gestational Diabetes. Enjoy brisk walking or swimming, 30 mins, 3-4 times every week.
  • Pregnant women taking insulin are advised to monitor their blood sugar before, during and after exercise to adjust the insulin and carbohydrate intake that help avoid exercise-induced hypoglycemia.
  • In pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes if diet and exercise do not achieve glycemic goals within 2-3 weeks of treatment, they should seek advice from doctor for insulin or other oral hypoglycemic agent.

Three main meals with two snacks along with 30 minutes of physical activity, 4 times a week are strongly recommended. Consistency in meals and snack timings helps promote normal blood sugar level.

Chickpeas is a good source of protein. Here is a recipe using chickpeas

Spinach and Chickpeas with tomatoes

1    medium onion, chopped
3    garlic cloves, minced
1    tablespoon olive oil/sunflower oil
3    cups cooked chickpeas
1    cup chopped tomatoes
2     teaspoon red pepper flakes to taste
2    cups Spinach
1    tablespoon lemon juice

Saute the onions and garlic in oil
Add tomatoes, chickpeas, red pepper flakes.
Cover and cook for 5 minutes
Add spinach and cook for 3 mins and sprinkle salt over.
Add lemon juice before serving

Banana lime smoothie

Banana Lime Smoothie is good for potassium, vitamin A and vitamin D. One serving is high in GI but taken in lesser amount it will help absorb the nutrients gradually without insulin spike

Tip: Have it chilled and take 20-30 minutes to finish it. 

1     cup milk
1     large banana
1     teaspoon honey
1     tablespoon lime juice

Blend milk, banana, honey and lemon juice until smooth and serve with lime garnish

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