It’s essential to manage your blood sugar during pregnancy for both your health and the health of your unborn child. You can control your blood sugar levels during pregnancy using the following advice. When food is digested, the carbohydrates turn into sugar, also known as glucose. Although glucose is necessary for you and your unborn child, having too much of it in your blood can cause issues. Consuming the proper amount of carbohydrates and making nutritious food selections is critical. Starches, fruits, vegetables, milk, and yogurt are all sources of carbohydrates, so it is important to measure these food portions. Desserts and sweets should be avoided because they might cause high blood sugar.
1. Consume starchy foods in measured portions
At every meal, provide a starch option. An appropriate serving size for a meal is approximately 1 cup of cooked rice, grain, noodles, potatoes, or 2 pieces of bread.
2. Milk in 8-ounce cups, one at a time
As a good source of calcium, milk is a nutritious food. Milk sugar is quickly absorbed due to its liquid nature. Blood sugar levels may rise after consuming too much milk all at once. A single cup of milk is the recommended serving size.
3. Consume three meals and two to three snacks each day
Your blood sugar can become too high if you eat a lot simultaneously. Eat smaller meals and snacks between them. Your nutritional needs increase during pregnancy, and your unborn child depends on you to give them a balanced diet.
4. Don’t consume sugars
Don’t season your food with sugar, honey, or syrup.
5. Avoid sugary beverages and fruit juices
A glass of fruit juice requires several pieces of fruit. Natural sugar is abundant in juice. It quickly raises blood sugar levels because it is liquid. For the same reason, avoid regular sodas and sugary soft drinks. You can use Crystal Light and diet beverages.
6. Breakfast Is Important
When pregnancy hormones peak, blood sugar can be challenging to manage early in the day. Even prior to eating, these hormones may cause an increase in blood sugar levels.
Because they are digested so quickly and can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, there are better options for breakfast than dry cereals, fruits, and milk.
It is usually best to have whole grains for breakfast, along with protein-rich food.
7. Consume more fiber
If you want to eat whole grains, try whole-grain bread, brown rice, wild rice, whole oats, barley, millet, or any other whole grain. Include pinto, red, black, or garbanzo beans and split peas, lentils, and other beans. Compared to eating refined grains like white rice and bread, these foods are high in fiber and help to lower blood sugar levels.
8. Watch out for sugar-alcohols in foods that are sugar-free
Desserts and syrups made without sugar frequently contain sugar alcohol. Although these goods can be labeled “sugar-free,” they might still contain the same amount of carbohydrates as the equivalent goods made with regular sugar. The grams of total carbohydrates are listed on the food labels.
The laxative effects of sugar alcohols, as well as gas and bloating, are possible side effects. Sugar-alcohols include mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, isomalt, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate.
How Common Is Diabetes During Pregnancy?
Type 1 or type 2 diabetes affects 1% to 2% of pregnant women in the US, while gestational diabetes affects 6% to 9% of all expectant mothers. Recent years have seen a rise in diabetes among expectant mothers. According to recent studies, the percentage of women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes prior to becoming pregnant increased by 37%, and the percentage of pregnant women with gestational diabetes increased by 56% between 2000 and 2010.
By race and ethnicity, pregnancy diabetes varies. Gestational diabetes is more common in Asian and Hispanic women, while type 1 or 2 diabetes during pregnancy is more common in black and Hispanic women.
How Might Diabetes Affect My Pregnancy?
Type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes during pregnancy can have a negative impact on a woman’s and her unborn child’s health. High blood sugar levels around conception increase the risk of birth defects, stillbirth, and preterm birth in women with type 1 or 2 diabetes. High blood sugar levels during pregnancy also increase the risk of cesarean delivery for women with any type of diabetes and the risk that their unborn children will be overweight or develop type 2 diabetes or obesity.
Conclusion
For diabetic women who are pregnant, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is important. By working closely with healthcare professionals, monitoring carbohydrate intake, incorporating lean proteins and healthy fats, emphasizing fiber-rich foods, staying hydrated, limiting sugary foods and beverages, and practicing regular monitoring and self-care, pregnant women with diabetes can effectively manage their condition and promote the well-being of both themselves and their babies. It is crucial to personalize the dietary plan based on individual needs and follow the guidance of healthcare experts throughout the pregnancy journey to ensure optimal health outcomes.
