Gestational Diabetes is high blood sugar level (Diabetes) during pregnancy especially in third trimester in women that do not have previous diagnosis of Diabetes. It is also known as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). In this condition, body of pregnant women cannot provide enough insulin and blood sugar level rises. Cause of GDM is changing hormonal levels during pregnancy which hinder the release of insulin or cell does not respond to insulin properly a phenomenon known as insulin resistance. It affects 3-10% pregnant women and mostly it does not persist after pregnancy. Mothers having gestational diabetes usually give birth to babies larger in size (more than 9 pounds) and need C-section. Moreover they are at high risk of suffering in type II diabetes, low risk of latent autoimmune diabetes orType1 and babies are at the risk of developing type II diabetes, stillbirth, jaundice, and child obesity.

Symptoms are very rare almost there are no symptoms except weight loss, fatigue, increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, urinary or vaginal infection, nausea and vomiting. Not having specific symptoms, it is usually checked through blood glucose screening test or oral glucose tolerance test which every pregnant women should have usually in 24^th week of pregnancy.

Risk Factors

1. Overweight and age more than 25 years
2. Family history of Diabetes Mellitus
3. Low level of insulin resistance
4. Previous birth of large baby or stillborn
5. Having more than normal amniotic fluid

Diet plan

Gestational diabetes patients should plan their diet with even calorie distribution to control their blood sugar level.

Recommendations from American Diabetes Association are three small meals and three snacks per day.

Adding fibrous foods to your diet will maintain bowl movement and blood sugar level.

Soft drinks, foods with added sugars, jam, jellies etc should be avoided and not more than three glass of milk to maintain lower lactose level.

Use of carbohydrates should be limited up to a level that can maintain blood sugar level because how much carbohydrate you take they will break into glucose and increase the blood sugar level, but do not quit them at all. Carbohydrate intake along with protein is beneficial for diabetic patients as protein make their digestion slow, in this way sugar level do not boost up suddenly.

Use of foods having low glycemic index is very helpful for gestational diabetes. Usually foods having GI below 55 are considered as low GI foods these include fruits, vegetable, beans, low fat yogurt, milk and whole grain bread.

High GI foods should be avoided like pasta, white bread, baked products and low fibre cereals.

Three Small meals and three snacks/day example

1. Morning Breakfast:

Breakfast should be good enough consisting of high fiber cereals with a glass of skimmed milk or of whole grain bread sandwich preferably use olive oil based spread with a glass of juice

          i. Morning Snacks: 1-2 oatcakes/snacks, one fruit and some drink.

2. Lunch:

chicken, low fat yogurt and mixed salad.

         ii. mid Afternoon: digestive biscuits, item fruit and tea/coffee.

         iii.  Evening snack: two slices of wholegrain bread with low fat cheese spread.

3. Dinner:

120g chicken, lean meat or white fish and 50g basmati rice.

About Author: Shan is an accomplished writer and blogger; He loves to write about health related topic like foods that burn belly fat women health etc.