For most pregnant women choosing healthy and relatively small portions of food is sufficient to maintain blood sugar levels within recommended norms. Together with mild exercise they can easily control their weight gains, which is the #1 cause for developing gestational diabetes.
Up to 15% of pregnant women however are diagnosed during their second trimester for gestational diabetes, in which blood sugar levels are elevated. For such women an individualized gestational diabetes diet must be devised and managed.
For a gestational diabetes diet to be effective it must relate to the following:
-- Involve the pregnant woman in the food selection
-- Fit with her lifestyle
-- Match her budget
-- Be non-trendy
The diet must balance between healthy food and the diagnosed woman's preferences. It is a good practice to involve her in the planning of her meals to include both the food she needs and the food she enjoys. Clearly, she knows best what works for her. Having said that, the woman must monitor the effects her diet has on her weight gain and apply changes accordingly.
The diet must relate to the woman's lifestyle when selecting her food items. For example, availability at the workplace cafeteria should be considered and healthy food may need to be brought from home.
The diet must also consider budget limitations. For example, a low--carb diet rich with meats and vegetables may not be affordable to all.
The diet must not follow "trends". Claims made by one diet or another may prove to be inaccurate, at least to some. A trendy diet may be replaced tomorrow by a newer one...
The effective gestational diabetes diet is the one that proves effective to the diagnosed pregnant woman by helping her to maintain optimal blood sugar levels! The diet should be individually planned together with your dietitian and be approved by your physician.
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