Gestational Diabetes Diet

Gestational Diabetes is a disorder that affects approximately 4% of all pregnant women in the United States. This is not quite understood why some women get it because it usually disappears after the baby is born. One theory is that the stress of pregnancy itself causes it, but whatever the cause any woman who is diagnosed with it will follow a gestational diabetes diet.

In fact this type of plan must be followed if the mother has pre-existing diabetes as well. The risk of fetal malformation and even death are considerably higher gestational diabetes. Hyperglycemia, or high levels of sugar in the blood, the mother is the main cause of problems caused by this condition. When this happens the fetus will begin to produce large amounts of insulin to cope with excess glucose (sugar) that is passing through the placenta.

increased insulin levels in the fetus cause a condition known as macrosomia resulting in larger than normal size of the body and head. It can also cause respiratory problems and hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, or jaundice in newborns.

It is strongly recommended that all women diagnosed with gestational diabetes to receive advice on nutrition and create a diet plan with the help of a dietician. It is extremely important to control the levels of sugar in the blood during pregnancy and made it better by changing the diet.

A system of gestational diabetes is individualized for each pregnancy based on maternal weight and height. It will also provide sufficient calories and nutrients that are needed during the pregnancy and the control of blood glucose. In addition, the mother should self monitor blood glucose at least four times a day to ensure that his glucose levels are under control. Once good blood glucose control is established the frequency of self-monitoring can be decreased, but self-monitoring should be continued throughout pregnancy.

The diet should meet the desired weight gain and nutritional requirements necessary for a normal pregnancy. To gain weight the first quarter should be in the range of 2 to 4 pounds, then one more book each week for the second and third quarters. During the second quarter, it is recommended that caloric intake be adjusted upwards by about 100-300 kcal / day higher than the first quarter. Protein intake should be increased during pregnancy to 10 grams per day by drinking two glasses of milk or 1-2 ounces of meat. 400 ug / day of folic acid should also be included in the diet of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects and congenital.

DKA is a very real threat during a pregnancy, to restrict calories should be made under direct medical supervision. The minimum number of calories consumed per day should not be less than 1700 to 1800 and those calories should come from foods of high nutritive value.

A gestational diabetes diet plan is a crucial element of any pregnancy for women who suffer from this dangerous disease. Any pregnant woman who is diagnosed with this disease should be evaluated by a dietician who will then help the woman to meet its food needs.