What to Eat in Pregnancy If You Have Diabetes

If you have diabetes and are pregnant we are sure the question “Just what I am allowed to eat?” keeps popping up. Since you’re going to be eating for two, some foods will simply be a cop out. There will be others that you can enjoy in moderation. It all depends on the food groups and just figuring them out can be overwhelming in more ways than one.It doesn’t necessarily warrant a special diet, just a few changes that will help better manage your sugar levels while keeping you and your baby out of any possible complications that might arise in gestational diabetes. For the uninitiated, here is a little guide that will help.

Carbohydrate Chronicles

How: Think complex carbs with a lot of fibre and protein. Space out meals that contain them throughout the day.

Take a lesser amount of carbohydrate than recommended and you could risk hypoglycaemia, more so for mothers- to -be who are on insulin. Take too much and you risk elevated blood sugar levels. Follow a meal plan that constitutes the right types of carbs in the right portions, and you’re good to go. Maintaining a consistent amount of carbs in each meal can do good for diabetes management by keeping sugar levels stable. You can keep count of your consumption by either tracking grams of carbohydrates during meals or measuring theirexchanges or servings.

What: Brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, bran cereal, fruits, low-fat dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables, and pulses (beans and lentils).

Not: Refined starches and refined sugar.Highly processed foods such as instant noodles, breakfast cereals are better out of mind, out of sight.

Protein Power

How: Pair with carbs. Sway towards lean, protein-rich foods for even levels of glucose.

Ideally, 2 – 3 servings of protein are recommended for pregnant women with diabetes. While most protein foods do not have carbs in them, some vegetarian sources such as legumes can. Ensure you get your facts right when it comes to this group of foods. They also help battle the fatigue slump and keep you buzzing with sustainable amounts of energy.

What: Fish, eggs, tofu, beans, legumes, soy milk, quinoa, lentils, chick peas,nuts, and turkey

Not: Bacon, lunchmeat, hot dogs, and sausage.

Fit Fat

How: Unsaturated fats will seamlessly gel with your diabetes diet.

Devoid of carbs, fats work against their reputation of notoriety in terms of raising blood sugar. Healthy fats are vital. Heart healthy polyunsaturated fats such as Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats and monounsaturated fats should account for the main source of fat in your food.They aid in the development of the nervous system, eyes, and brain of your baby. While cooking, yanking out all the visible fat by trimming it and peeling the skincan reduce the bad stuff. Employing steaming, broiling, baking, and grilling are other ways that can help limiting the layering of fat.

What: Olive oil, avocado, most seeds and nuts(pecans, walnuts, peanuts, almonds,macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, cashews), chia seeds, flax seeds, oily fish (herring, tuna, salmon,mackerel, trout, sardines),and skim/low-fat dairy products.

Not: Saturated fats and trans fats are a no-go. Canned soup, butter, lard, sour cream, nuts, frozen meals, cream, and other processed foods.

Fiber Fix

How: Stick to high fiber foods.

Each day, every day, focus on getting fiber. Consuming fiber can help steady your glucose levels apart from aiding in the reduction of preeclampsia and relieving constipation, which is well known to occur frequently during pregnancy. Women who are carrying and affected withType 1 diabetes can reap the benefits of reducing the quantity of insulin they use if their diet is high in fiber. 25-30 gm. of dietary fiber are recommended on a daily basis.

What: Spinach, sweet potatoes, whole grain bread, soya beans, chick peas

Not: High GI foods such as white bread and white rice

Menu-dissecting for dietary diversity can tip the sugar levels into a state of balance. Straying from the ritualised patterns of focussing on specific food groups can actually slow down the absorption of glucoseinto your blood, levelling them. For instance, consuming loads of protein with some natural fats and carbohydrates can help lower sugar levels. Pair this with moderate levels of activity and you will breeze through your pregnancy. Talk to your diabetes doctor about meal planning whether or not you’re unsure of what to eat. Discussing targets with him/ her will also ensure you’re on track while making diabetes management achievable and realistic.