Gestational Diabetes Meal Plan

For any pregnant women out there, hearing you have gestational diabetes is a frustrating thing. You want to provide the best life for your child while inside of the womb and hearing this news makes you worry consistently. Through this, we hope you will have a great gestational diabetes meal plan and that you can put your worrying aside.

There are variations to this that you can do. They will obviously take into account what you are allergic to, what you enjoy eating, and so on.

This will be an example of what you can do during your pregnancy to keep your blood sugar as low as it should be.

For breakfast, you will want to steer clear of a great deal of sugars and starches. A great feast would be one egg, a slice of wheat toast or even a quarter of a bagel, some fresh fruit or even one half of a can of fruit, and some skim milk. All of this will ensure you are getting the appropriate amounts of vitamins.

If you are one of those women who enjoy snacks (and what pregnant woman does not enjoy that) then choose something other than snack cakes and cookies. Try take a piece of whole wheat bread and adding a tablespoon of peanut butter on it. Enjoy some fresh fruit and add some milk with that as well. This will give you something sweet, but healthy.

For lunch, try a half cup of cooked vegetables with some fresh fruit, part of a bagel, and a glass of water. Water is an essential part of your day. You should be drinking about eight glasses of water a day. The more, the better. Read More

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Understanding the Types of Gestational Diabetes

Types Of Gestational diabetes – This disease appears to interest a lot of people these days. It is a type of insulin resistance or imbalance that is shorter in duration and most of the time, it disappears after the pregnancy. However, the development of gestational diabetes increases the tendency of the woman by at least two to three times for the condition to reappear in the future pregnancies.

At the same time, a lot of people appear to notice an association between having gestational diabetes and diabetes type 2, even if the woman has already delivered the child.

But the definition of gestational diabetes appears to be still broad and confusing for some people. Priscilla White, a physician, studied diabetes in pregnancy in order to assess the risk posed to the mother and the fetus. She used alphanumeric characters in naming and facilitating the ease in explaining the types of gestational diabetes.

There are actually two major types of gestational diabetes based on the White Classification where she arbitrarily used Type A for the types of diabetes that starts upon and during pregnancy, while other letters are used for naming the types of gestational diabetes that occurred even before the pregnancy has occurred in the woman, or also called pre-gestational diabetes.

The first type is further divided between Type A1 which means that the diet is sufficient enough to manage the condition because of the woman manifesting an elevated oral glucose tolerance test with normal fasting and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose tests; and the Type A2 presents with both elevated OGTT and fasting blood glucose tests. In the latter type, insulin and other medications that alters glucose absorption is needed aside from diet and lifestyle modification.

The types of gestational diabetes that manifested before the pregnancy begins are also further subdivided into several groups. The types B, C and D are classified on the length of time and age where the diabetes started. Type B is given to those who had the condition for less than ten years or to those who had it at age 20 years or older.

Women who had the condition between the ages 10 to 19 or those who have the disease for 19 years and less are categorized under Type C; and Type D is for those who have it before the age of 10 and had it for more than 20 years already. The type F indicates nephropathy or renal damage, type R for retinopathy or eye damage, type H for diabetes coinciding with ischemic disease of the heart, and type T for those who are candidates for renal transplant.

It is important to understand the different types of gestational diabetes so that proper intervention and management may be done to protect both mother and child.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

A Brief History of Type 2 Diabetes

A lot of people think that diabetes including its forms like gestational diabetes, as newly discovered diseases, but a long history of type 2 diabetes has already been present as long as history was written. In 1552 BC, the ancient Egyptian physician Hesy-Ra wrote the phrase “the passing of too much urine” or polyuria on a papyrus which is the earliest known writing about diabetes as a condition.

The history of type 2 diabetes goes on with the early Greek civilization described by two famous physicians. Arateus thought of diabetes as a condition that transforms the flesh and limbs into urine, while Galen thought of the disease as a kidney problem.

But the first medical expert who is able to provide a nearly exact detail of diabetes comes from the East, Sushruta from India, called the disease Medhumedha which means “sweet urine disease.” He was able to correlate the presence of ants being attracted to the urine of ancient Indians with the presence of obesity and less physical activity.

He was even said to recommend performance of household chores and heavy activity to reverse the condition. Other Asian countries such as China and Korea have also noted of the condition and their ancient writings have shown that they called it, “sugar urine disease.”

Another famous physician contributing to the history of type 2 diabetes is also from the East, Avicenna of Persia. He wrote in The Canon of Medicine that diabetes mellitus is characterized by an unusual appetite or eating pattern, noted a decline in sexual functioning of the body, and the urine having a sweet taste.

He was further advanced by being able to identify the condition as either primary or secondary diabetes; and even noted that an unnerving consequence of the disease is development of gangrenes.

The type 2 diabetes had a great leap in 1869 when a medical student from Germany, Paul Langerhands, discovered that the pancreas has two kinds of cells with one functioning to release pancreatic juice, while the function of the other cell remains unknown at that time.The cells were later called “islets of Langerhans” in honor of this scientific contribution.

The history of type 2 diabetes progressed since the discovery of high technology microscopes leading to more discoveries about the disorder including the discovery of gestational diabetes in the 1970. It continues up to this day, however, what remains significant is the discovery of a disease that turns sweetness into a lifelong serious condition.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes and Diet: What Are The Important Dietary Requirements

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a temporary condition during pregnancy which is characterized by elevated blood glucose. To treat this disease, a perfect harmony between gestational diabetes and diet should be established. It is a result of the dramatic hormonal changes occurring in the body during pregnancy.

This condition generally disappears after childbirth but poses the woman who had it with development of diabetes type 2 later in life. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition is critical, both for the baby and the mother.

Women, who have GDM, should have a carefully selected meal plan that must meet the nutritional needs of the mother and the fetus. Goals for healthy diet includes small frequent meals, at least two to three main meals and two to three light snack as well.

Carbohydrates are also an issue in a GDM diet since it has the greatest bearing on blood glucose levels. As a part of the diet, these carbohydrates must be reduced, especially during breakfast since it is the part of the day when insulin resistance is at its peak.

Another important food component to remember is fiber. Gestational diabetes mellitus patients must eat foods high in fiber, which are not easily digested hence allowing insulin to develop more which will act in lowering the sugar content of blood.

Moreover, a pregnant woman must not neglect the vitamins and minerals need of her body. Food rich in calcium, iron, Vitamin C and folic acid must be included in her daily diet plan. Now the word diet in context with pregnant women does not necessarily mean to lose weight. It simply means the daily intake of nutritious foods for the benefit of her motherhood.

And lastly, just like all other people, water intake of at least 8 cups or 64 ounces a day is vital for her and her baby’s over all health.

If there are good foods to include in the diet plan, then there will always be foods detrimental to a pregnant woman and fetus’ well being that must be avoided. This includes alcohol, which is widely associated with low birth weight and even premature birth.

Another is caffeine, which must be taken in limitation. Coffee and other caffeine containing products must not exceed 300mg of intake per day. Gestational diabetes and diet must be strictly work with each other to avoid further complications both to the mother and the fetus.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Recommended Diet for Gestational Diabetes

Diet for Gestational Diabetes - Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Under this condition, a pregnant woman’s body does not produce enough insulin or her body becomes 50% less sensitive to the function of insulin.

This leads to a significant increase in blood sugar levels. Since pregnancy is naturally a diabetogenic state, meaning it naturally shows signs and symptoms of diabetes, gestational diabetes also wears off after the baby is born.

However, there is also the possibility that gestational diabetes could also lead into type 2 diabetes mellitus in the body. In order to significantly decrease the possibility of having type 2 diabetes mellitus, one needs to eat the right combination of fiber, carbohydrates, and fat during pregnancy.

In some cases, a recommended diet for gestational diabetes is enough while on others, a more carefully designed diet plan is needed, specifically by those that are also taking insulin in order to decrease the blood sugar level.

The main reason for having diabetes of any type is simply the imbalance between the amounts of glucose in the blood. The main sources of glucose are those foods that are rich in carbohydrates. Thus, the first recommendation for a diet regimen, for one who has gestational diabetes, is to control the amount of her carbohydrate intake.

With respect to this, consistency is the key. So that means you must only eat equal quantities of carbohydrate-rich foods like bread everyday and keep it to an amount of 6 to 10 servings a day. Since the blood sugar level of pregnant women varies from one to another, it is best to consult a dietician to determine the exact amount that you need for your case.

You need to eat at the same time of every day in order to make sure that your body will be consistent in its metabolism. Do not skip meals and eat only three meals times a day, this doesn’t include the snacks which you must eat around three times. You must also avoid foods and drinks that have additional sugar of any form such as honey, or jams and jellies.

Hoe that the following information has helped you compile a proper diet for gestational diabetes. We only value our health when we lose it, so please take good care of it.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Diet Guidelines

Having a diet designed to cope up with this condition is just as essential and the following are guidelines to be considered for a diet designed for gestational diabetes.

Tests which are administered to help detect gestational diabetes are conducted during the period between the 24th and 28th week.

Some doctors would recommend that the tests be administered to even as early as the 10th week especially if the pregnant woman had history of diabetes in her family.

Once gestational diabetes is confirmed, not only is the additional insulin requirement the only recommendation by doctors.

All types of diabetes have one common factor: the imbalance between the insulin utilization and the excess of glucose level in the blood. With that being said, one of the most obvious guidelines in following diet for gestational diabetes is simple: avoid the types of sugar and foods that are very high on glucose.

Doing so will aid in keeping the blood glucose level at the normal range of 60 to 120 mg/dl. Some of the foods that must be kept to a minimal because of their glucose content are cakes which are very high on icing and simple carbohydrates like bread.

As for carbohydrates, not all types have to be avoided at all, in fact a certain type of carbohydrates such as the complex type are recommended.

This is because the more complex an ingredient is, the more energy is required to break it down, and one of the main sources of energy is glucose, so if more energy is used in the digestion, the more likely it is to bring the blood glucose level even lower. Some examples of complex carbohydrates include potatoes, dried beans, pasta, cereals, and grains.

Along with the complex carbohydrates is the recommendation for foods that score high on their fiber content. As most of the population might already know, fiber is very helpful in digestion, so taking a healthy intake of fiber will also bring the digestion of glucose to an optimum level. Examples of this include whole grain cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

Again we hope that the information contained within has helped you in your choice for a proper diet following the gestational diabetes diet guidelines.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Etiology of Gestational Diabetes

Etiology of Gestational Diabetes – gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs on pregnant women who have never had diabetes before. When a pregnant woman begins to have gestational diabetes, the glucose level in her blood would increase to a point which is similar to diabetes mellitus.

Having this type of diabetes could precede the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a type of diabetes where the body fails to use insulin properly, thereby increasing the blood sugar level even more. Gestational diabetes is also called gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM.

When a woman becomes pregnant, her health condition begins to get into a diabetogenic state, meaning a health condition that shows the signs and symptoms of diabetes.

This is because the body of the mother begins to utilize all of its nutritional sources in order for them to be made available for the fetus to develop in the mother’s womb. Of all these nutritional resources, glucose is the one that is most mobilized.

During pregnancy, the plasma level of the important anabolic hormones in the mother’s body increases. The greatest increase on the plasma level within the mother’s body, will occur in the last 20 weeks of her gestation.

Included in the increase of plasma level is the increase of the human placental lactogen in the body. This can lead to significant changes in the body that may ultimately lead into glucose intolerance. This is because the human placental lactogen has strong anti-insulin and lipolytic effects.

Since the first trimester of pregnancy up to the third trimester, the body’s sensitivity to peripheral insulin would decrease into half, thus, the body’s ability to digest glucose would also decrease by 50%, and aside from that, the basal hepatic glucose production would still increase by up to 30% even if the insulin level of the body still increases.

With a combination of a large decrease in the mother’s sensitivity to insulin and the increase in the mobilization of the glucose in her body, these are the reasons why pregnant women became very prone to having gestational diabetes mellitus. This case happens to most women, but there are a few exceptions still under research and investigation.

Hoe that this article has helped you better understand the etiology of gestational diabetes. Wish you luck in your further research. You will find more great information on diabetes symptoms and complications.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Early Gestational Diabetes

Early Gestational Diabetes - Pregnancy can naturally displays the signs and symptoms of having diabetes , but in most cases it usually ends gradually once the child is born.

However, it doesn’t mean that the pregnant woman must not be checked up by a doctor in order to find out what must be done. This is because gestational diabetes has the possibility of preceding type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is no longer related to pregnancy.

In order to prevent this from happening and also to protect the child from having too many glucose intakes, visiting a doctor for a recommendation even during the early stages of pregnancy is highly recommended.

Gestational diabetes can be diagnosed through tests that aim to detect the body’s tolerance to glucose. These glucose tolerance tests are usually administered from the 24th to the 28th week of pregnancy.

However, there are some women who are very prone to having gestational diabetes and they should be treated as early as the 13th week of pregnancy. This means that the doctor should be visited to detect gestational diabetes even for as early as the 10th week.

One of the tests that are being done in order to detect gestational diabetes during the early stages of pregnancy is through an intake of a glucose solution, or simply a drink with significant sugar content. After waiting for one hour, a blood sample will be taken and be tested in order to monitor the glucose level of the blood.

If the pregnant woman’s blood has a blood sugar level of below 140mg/dl, she is presumed to not have gestational diabetes and no further tests have to be administered. Of course, if the blood glucose level is above 140mg/dl, further tests will still have to be administered in order to confirm if the woman really has gestational diabetes.

Once it is confirmed that she has early gestational diabetes, she would either be recommended to take additional insulin intakes on regular intervals, or she would simply be recommended by a dietician to follow a specific recommended diet, or both.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus - Diabetes mellitus , also known as diabetes, is a health condition wherein a person experiences high blood sugar.

This happens because the body cells are not responding to the insulin which his or her body is not producing the suitable insulin that the body needs.

The three main kinds of diabetes are:

Type 1: The body cannot produce enough insulin and the body requires to be injected with insulin. This is also called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM.

Type 2: The body is resisting insulin. This condition is characterized by the body cells failing to work correctly which is sometimes merged with deficiencies in insulin. It is also called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM.

Gestational diabetes: It is a condition of pregnant women who have never been diagnosed with diabetes prior conceiving a baby having high levels of blood glucose during pregnancy. It may lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus development.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus:

1) Weight loss or gain: Your body is doing double time in compensating for the lost sugar and liquids. The tendency is you will eat more than your normal intake which leads to weight gain.

However, the opposite can still happen. You are eating more but you are losing weight. This happens because the muscle tissues are not getting enough glucose or sugar to promote energy and growth.

2) Flu-like signs: If you are diabetic, you feel like you have a flu – you experience fatigue, tired, weak and you have lost your appetite. Glucose is the main fuel of your body. If it will not reach your body cells, you will feel weak and tired.

3) Blurred vision: The high levels of glucose can drag your fluid out from your body’s tissues which include the lenses of the eyes. In result, it will highly affect your ability to focus. Take note, once your diabetes has been treated, your glucose levels will drop. Thus, your vision will improve.

4) Frequent infections and slow healing process of sores: Diabetes can highly affect your ability to fight and heal infections. For women, vaginal and bladder infections are prominent.

5) Irritability, dizziness and headaches: Your brain cells need enough energy supply. If not, you will be more tired which result to becoming more irritable.

Hope that the information above has helped you better understand the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. With better understanding comes better decisions for your health.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Your Pregnancy Guide: Gestational Diabetes Sample Menu

You just have been diagnosed that you have gestational diabetes. Do not worry. This brief article will give you ideas, tips for a gestational diabetes sample menu.

Gestational diabetes is a condition wherein your glucose or blood sugar is at high while you are pregnant. Take note, you can be diagnosed with gestational diabetes even though you are not diabetic prior to getting pregnant.

This condition will go away once you give birth. However, you also have chances to get diabetes once you have diabetes while you are pregnant.

Gestational diabetes occurs whenever your body cannot produce enough insulin for your body or the insulin you produce do not function well. In result, you will have high levels of blood sugar.

If this happens, you and your baby are at higher risks which can be very harmful. The solution for this is to control your glucose or blood sugar intake. Below are gestational diabetes sample menu that you should follow.

Breakfast:

1/3 pound of any kind of grapes
1 hard boiled egg
1 slice of whole wheat bread
1 tsp trans-fat free margarine, canola based
12 ounces of non-fat skimmed milk

Nutrition facts:
Calories: 394 grams; Fats: 11 grams; Protein: 22 grams

Mid-day Snack:

1 tbsp chunky or smooth peanut butter
1 tbsp reduced sugar jam or jelly
1 slice of whole wheat bread
8 ounces of non-fat skimmed milk

Nutrition facts:
Calories: 276 grams; Fats: 9.7 grams; Protein: 14.5 grams

Lunch:

1 ounce of shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
1 large whole wheat pita bread
½ cup of chopped fresh tomato
½ cup of cooked black beans
2 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp salsa
8 ounces of non-fat skimmed milk

Combine all the ingredients and put it inside the pita bread.

Nutrition facts:
Calories: 547 grams; Fats: 17.7 grams; Protein: 29.2 grams

Mid-Afternoon Snack:

1 tbsp chunky or smooth peanut butter
1 medium sliced and cored apple with peel
12 ounces of non-fat skimmed milk

Nutrition facts:
Calories: 295 grams; Fats: 9.2 grams; Protein: 15.8 grams

Dinner:

3 ounces of raw skinless or boneless breast chicken breast
4 ounces of canned in juice pineapple rings
1 tbsp of toasted sesame seeds
1 tbsp of dark sesame oil
2 tsp of low-sodium soy sauce
½ cup of cooked green beans
¼ cup of uncooked instant rice
¼ pound fresh strawberries
1 tsp cornstarch

To prepare:
1) Place in a shallow container the chicken breast.
2) Combine in a bowl sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, ½ pineapple juice, soy sauce and cornstarch.
3) Put the mixture into the chicken breast.
4) Put the half of the pineapple rings over the chicken.
5) Keep inside the refrigerator for one hour or for one night.
6) Take out the pineapple rings and the chicken breast from the marinade.
7) Discard the marinade mixture.
Broil or grill pineapple and chicken breast until thoroughly cooked.
9) Prepare green beans.
10) Serve the dish with strawberries for dessert.

Nutrition facts:
Calories: 523.7 grams; Fats: 16.2 grams; Protein: 23.0 grams

Do hope that the tips and information above has given you good ideas for a great gestational diabetes sample menu. Do enjoy whatever you decide and have a great meal.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy Guide: Foods to Eat with Gestational Diabetes

What is gestational diabetes? This is usually diagnosed to pregnant women who have high levels of glucose or blood sugar. It is usually a result of changing hormones during pregnancy. There are about three to five percent of pregnant women who are detected with this condition.

If you are pregnant and wondering if you are at higher risks becoming a candidate to acquire gestational diabetes, here are the factors:

1) You have gestational diabetes during your previous pregnancy
2) You are over 25 years old
3) You are overweight before becoming pregnant
4) Your family members have diabetes
5) You previously gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds

Below is a list of tips on foods to eat with gestational diabetes that you should follow:

1) Make sure to get the 1200 mg calcium needed by your body and baby. Do this by drinking and eating at least four servings of calcium rich foods and dairy products. These products are nuts, dairy products, green vegetables, beverages and foods fortified with calcium like unsweetened ready to eat cereals.

2) Consume three servings of iron rich food items per day. This is to make sure that you get the needed iron in your daily meal plan. Eat lean meat, enriched grain products, fish, poultry, leafy green vegetables and eggs.

3) Make sure to include food items in your daily consumption that are high in folic acid. These are veal, fortified grain products, vegetables, fruits and legumes such as black beans, lima beans and chickpeas.

4) It’s a no-no to consume alcoholic beverages while you are pregnant. According to researches, drinking alcohol while pregnant can lead to low birth weight and premature delivery.

5) Include food products that can provide you Vitamin C. Good sources of Vitamin C are grapefruits, oranges, honeydew, strawberries, cauliflower, broccoli, brusssel sprouts, tomatoes, mustard greens and green peppers.

6) Include in your daily plan sources of Vitamin A such as sweet potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, carrots, water squash, apricots, turnip greens, cantaloupe and apricots.

Always keep in mind that you have to carefully plan your meals if you have gestational diabetes. Remember, you are not only taking care of yourself but the baby inside your womb as well. I do hope that this information has helped inform you on the important question of what foods to eat with gestational diabetes.

Categories : Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Meal Plan