In this beautiful time when you are expecting to become a mother, has the doctor told you that you have 'gestational diabetes ' or ``gestational diabetes ''? Hearing those words must have made you feel a little scared and worried. "Oh my God, what am I going to eat now?", "Will this affect my baby?", "Will it be difficult to control my eating?" You probably have a lot of questions in your mind. But don't be afraid. This is not something that has happened to you alone, many mothers experience this condition. The most important thing is that it is not as difficult to manage as you think. Let's talk about this simply and clearly.
First of all, what is gestational diabetes?
Simply put, this is a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy. If you had diabetes before you got pregnant, it doesn't fall into this category. With the hormonal changes that occur in our body during pregnancy, it becomes a little harder for the body to use sugar (glucose). This causes the blood sugar level to rise. This is what we call `Gestational Diabetes`.
The good news is that this condition can be largely controlled by maintaining a good diet and doing simple exercises as directed by your doctor . In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe medication to control your blood sugar levels.
What are the risks if this situation is not controlled?
Don't be afraid to read this. It's important to be aware of these things and take the necessary steps to avoid these risks. If we don't pay attention to this situation, it can affect you as well as the baby in your womb.
The important thing is that most of these risks only occur if left untreated. Almost all of these can be prevented by proper diet and following medical advice.
Let's look at the table below to see what risks the baby may face.
| Possible risk to the baby | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Increased birth weight | Because the mother's blood sugar is high, the baby may also receive more sugar, which can lead to an increase in the baby's weight. This can make childbirth more difficult. |
| Premature birth | The baby may be born prematurely due to complications caused by high blood sugar levels. |
| Difficulty breathing | Babies born prematurely may not have fully developed lungs. This condition is called `Respiratory Distress Syndrome`. |
| Low blood sugar levels | Immediately after birth, a baby's blood sugar level can drop suddenly. This can be dangerous. |
| Later health problems | As the child grows older, the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes increases. |
| Stillbirth | This is something that can happen very rarely, in extreme cases without any treatment. That's why we need to be concerned about this. |
Okay, so how exactly do we deal with this? How do we adjust our diet?
This is the most important part. Your doctor will refer you to a dietitian who will tell you how many carbohydrates ( starches and sugars) you should eat per day. But in general, here are some simple guidelines you can follow.
- Don't eat a lot at one meal. Instead, eat small amounts throughout the day.
- Aim to eat 3 main meals and 2 or 3 snacks a day. This will help keep your blood sugar levels steady.
- Limit starchy foods (rice, bread, potatoes, noodles). But don't stop eating them completely. The body needs them for energy. Add a small amount to each meal.
- Drink one cup of milk at a time. Milk also contains carbohydrates, so drinking a lot at once can increase your blood sugar levels.
- Eat only one serving of fruit at a time. Fruit also contains natural sugar.
- Never skip breakfast. It's the best way to start the day.
Special Warning: Be wary of foods labeled " Fat -Free" or "Sugar-Free" in the store. They may contain carbohydrates or sugar alcohols (e.g., "Mannitol," "Sorbitol," "Xylitol"). These can also affect blood sugar levels. So read the label carefully. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
How do you want to prepare your food?
A balanced diet is like gold here. If you are a vegetarian / vegan , talk to your doctor about that too and get advice on how to get the nutrition you need.
Pay special attention to carbohydrates!
The carbohydrates we eat (starches/ grains , sugar) are what turn into sugar in the body. Therefore, the type of carbohydrates we choose is very important.
- Good carbohydrates: Whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta), and fibrous vegetables. These take longer to digest, so they release sugar into the blood more slowly.
- Carbohydrates to limit: Those that are digested quickly and cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.
- White rice, white bread
- Potatoes, French fries
- Toffee, chocolate, cake, soda
- Sweetened fruit drink
A little idea about serving sizes
Here are some simple examples of the different food groups you need per day and what one serving of each is.
- Grains, nuts, and starchy vegetables (about 6 servings per day):
- One serving: 1 slice of wholemeal bread, 1/2 cup cooked brown rice, 1/2 cup cooked lentils.
- Other vegetables (about 3-5 servings per day):
- One serving: 1 cup of cooked or raw chopped greens, 1/2 cup of vegetables like carrots, broccoli.
- Fruits (about 2-4 servings per day):
- One serving: 1 medium apple, orange, or banana, 1/2 cup chopped fruit.
- Dairy foods (about 4 servings per day):
- One serving: 1 cup of milk or yogurt.
- Protein (meat, fish, eggs) (about 3-4 servings per day):
- One serving: 60-90 grams of cooked meat or fish, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas.
What happens after childbirth?
After you give birth, your doctor will check your baby's health, especially his or her blood sugar levels. In most cases, your blood sugar levels will return to normal after you have your baby.
However, there is one very important thing to remember. Having diabetes during pregnancy means that you are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes in the future. Therefore, even after giving birth, take care of your health. It is very important to see your doctor at regular intervals and get the necessary tests done.
Take-Home Message
- Gestational diabetes is not something to be afraid of. It is a condition that can be managed properly.
- Not eating a lot at one time, but eating small amounts throughout the day, such as 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks, helps a lot in controlling blood sugar levels.
- The most important thing in your diet is to control carbohydrates (starches and sugars). Limit things like white rice, bread, and sugary drinks and eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, vegetables, and protein.
- If you have any questions or doubts, don't make decisions alone. Be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
- Even after giving birth, keeping in mind the risk of developing diabetes in the future and getting regular medical checkups is one of the biggest investments you can make in your health.
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