Note when choosing foods for pregnant women with diabetes

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Pregnant women with diabetes need to maintain stable blood sugar levels. One of the ways is to choose foods for pregnant women with diabetes and maintain a scientific diet.

1. How does diabetes affect the fetus?

Babies born to women with diabetes often have a condition called “macrosomia”. Babies are overweight from getting too much sugar across the placenta. The amount of sugar that crosses the placenta is absorbed by the body by instructing the pancreas to secrete more insulin, which in turn turns into fat stored in the baby's body.
Babies born to mothers with diabetes always receive special attention in the few hours after birth. If you consistently have high blood sugar while you're pregnant (especially in the 24 hours before delivery), your baby can develop dangerously low blood sugar after birth. Insulin is continuously produced when cutting off the supply of carbohydrates from the mother's body. That is the cause of low blood sugar in children and need to add glucose to balance it.

The amount of calcium and magnesium in the blood is also reduced and can be controlled with medication. Usually, the baby is large enough to need a cesarean section. Therefore, the doctor needs to monitor the baby's size before planning to deliver the safest baby.

2. Good food for people with gestational diabetes

Pregnant women with diabetes also need to follow the same diet as other pregnant women. It's a balanced diet of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean meats, and healthy fats. Compliance will help the mother and baby be provided with adequate nutrients.
In addition, mothers also need to have a plan to control blood sugar daily. To control blood sugar well, mothers need to divide meals into 3 main meals and 3 snacks; and always include at least one protein-rich dish and one carbohydrate-rich dish. Here are some suggestions about foods to prevent diabetes to apply:
Protein-rich foods for pregnant women with diabetes include:
Eggs Lean meat or fish Cheese Tofu Nuts or avocado seeds High-carb foods for pregnant women with diabetes include:

Starches: Bread, cooked or dry cereal, rice, pasta, popcorn, or cookies. Be sure to choose whole grains over processed varieties. Fruit Dairy products: Milk and yogurt

You need to control your carb intake by controlling your blood sugar. How many carbs depend on your height, weight, activity level, and current level of glycemic control. You should see a nutritionist for more advice on carb intake. Pregnant women with diabetes need to provide how many calories? Calorie intake ranges from 1700 to 2700 a day and can be more during pregnancy. Also, just like any other pregnant woman, you need to be sure to include the following nutrients for a healthy pregnancy:

Folic acid: Folic acid is an important nutrient, helping to limit the risk of spinal and brain defects in the fetus. Pregnant women need 400-800 micrograms of folic acid per day. It can be provided using supplements or foods such as spinach, nuts and beans, breads and cereals. You should also ask about other vitamins. Calcium : Milk, dairy products and broccoli Vitamin D : Found in foods like salmon and nutrient-rich milk Iron : From sources like lean red meat or beans You can also apply the simple rule of thumb. Here's a simple way to control blood sugar: Divide your plate into 3 portions, filling 1⁄4 of each plate with meat or other protein-rich foods; 1⁄4 plate of cereals or starchy vegetables (potatoes, peas, corn); the rest are non-starchy vegetables like greens, tomatoes or squash. In addition, you should also add nutritional drinks such as milk, fruit or yogurt.

3. Food is not good for people with gestational diabetes

Don't drink alcohol: Drinking alcohol increases the risk of miscarriage and fetal alcohol syndrome. Avoid foods that may be unsafe during pregnancy: Raw seafood such as sushi, oysters, or fish;

High-mercury foods such as swordfish; Unpasteurized dairy products; Juices and soft cheeses such as Brie and feta, unless they are labeled as pasteurized Eat only meat, eggs, and poultry that has been fully cooked Reheat sausages and cold cuts before eating or don't eat it. Do not drink more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day - about 1.5 cups of 227 grams of coffee. Although many herbal teas don't contain caffeine, scientists still can't be completely sure if it affects an unborn baby. Therefore, you should ask your doctor before drinking any herbal tea. There is no evidence that artificial sweeteners are unsafe during pregnancy. However, you should also limit your intake of diet drinks (diet soda) or maintain a sugar-free diet. You should check the product label, if the ingredients contain aspartame and saccharin, see your doctor for more advice on how much to eat. Avoid overeating sweets and desserts as they are high in carbs without nutrients and raise blood sugar levels.

4. Blood sugar control in pregnant women with diabetes

High blood sugar in early pregnancy (before 13 weeks) can cause birth defects. They can also increase the risk of miscarriage and diabetes-related complications. Many women don't know they're pregnant until they're 2 to 4 weeks pregnant. That's why it's important to keep your blood sugar under control when you're trying to get pregnant.
Pregnant women with diabetes should control blood sugar at:
70 - 100 mg/dL before meals Less than 120 mg/dL 2 hours after eating 100 - 140 mg/dL before bedtime snacks To Safe childbirth, pregnant women with diabetes should combine a diet containing foods that support diabetes treatment, exercise and proper and scientific diabetes medicine.

Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively.
Pregnant women will be consulted and checked for health under the close supervision of experienced and specialized Obstetricians, helping mothers have more knowledge to protect their health during pregnancy as well as reduce reduce complications for mother and child.

If you have a need for consultation and examination at the Hospitals of the National Health System, please book an appointment on the website for service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Article reference source: webmd.com