What is a gestational diabetes diet plan?

Gestational diabetes only occurs with women who are pregnant and had no previous history of diabetes. Lots of people do not know that the gestation is a time lapse during which the embryo develops. Just like a normal diabetes, in gestational diabetes the glucose levels in the blood are high. Factors like anxiety and joy are often mixed during the pregnancy and that may be the cause of this type of diabetes. However, a good diet plan can prevent the diabetes from getting any worse.

Causes of gestational diabetes

When there is not enough secretion of insulin or a woman is suffering from insulin resistance, the cells and tissues of a pregnant woman do not respond to insulin. Insulin is important because it makes sure that the glucose is absorbed by the cells and tissues for the making of the energy and that it does not end up in the blood stream. Improper absorption of glucose leads to high levels of it in the blood. When hormones change it can lead to impaired glucose tolerance. Gestational diabetes can also occur because of a history of miscarriage, if a woman is older than 30 or obese.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

In most cases of gestational diabetes a woman will notice symptoms like nausea, excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, frequent or recurrent infections, increased hunger and fatigue. Bladder and vaginal infections are the most common infections. General health of a woman plays an important role and it will determine the symptoms she may suffer from. When a woman notices the symptoms, apart from the medications she will have to follow a proper diet plan.

Gestational diabetes diet plan

This particular diet is meant to maintain the health of both mother and the baby. A good diet will ensure that the blood sugar levels are under control. During this diet, the mother should not consume less than 1700 calories per day. Either a dietitian or a gynecologist will play the role of a supervisor during the time a woman follows this diet plan.

Gestational diabetes diet meal plan

For breakfast a woman can have three carbohydrate choices. That means two breads or starches like a cup of bran cereal or oatmeal. One milk, either skim or 1% can be consumed. The same goes for one ounce of meat or half a cup of scrambled eggs and two tablespoons of margarine.

Morning snack can consist of one slice of whole-wheat bread with one tablespoon of peanut butter or reduced-sugar jelly or jam. Eight fluid ounces of skimmed milk can be a part of the snack.

For lunch a woman can use such ingredients like one large whole-wheat pita, half a cup of cooked black beans and fresh chopped tomato, one ounce of shredded cheddar cheese, one tablespoon of salsa and two tablespoons of olive oil and eight fluid ounces of non fat skimmed milk.

For a snack a woman can consume one apple, 12 fluid ounces of skimmed milk and one tablespoon of peanut butter.

3-ounce chicken breast without the bones or skin, 4 ounces of pineapple rings, one tablespoon of sesame seeds, dark sesame oil and cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, half a cup of cooked green beans and ¼ of uncooked instant rice and a pound of fresh strawberries a woman can use to make an excellent dinner.