Suggested menu for pregnant women with gestational diabetes

This is an automatically translated article.

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Ly Thi Thanh Nha - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International General Hospital Da Nang.
Diet for pregnant women during pregnancy is an important factor determining the development of the fetus. However, nowadays, there are many pregnant women suffering from gestational diabetes, at this time it is not easy to balance nutrition, pregnant women can refer to the menu below to have a healthy pregnancy diet. learn.

1. What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes) is a disorder in the body's metabolism of sugar during pregnancy. This condition is usually detected from the 4th month of pregnancy and usually resolves on its own about 6 weeks after delivery.
So how to know if you have gestational diabetes or not? Pregnant women can take blood for blood sugar test, diagnose gestational diabetes when:
Fasting blood sugar: >= 126mg/dl. Any blood sugar: >= 200mg/dl. Or do a positive glucose tolerance test.

2. How does gestational diabetes affect mother and fetus?

If gestational diabetes is not well controlled, it will have many effects on the mother as well as the development of the fetus.
Effect on the mother: The mother had diabetes in a previous pregnancy or it will be worse if she had diabetes before the pregnancy. A lot of weight gain, over 20kg, most of the fetuses are large, polyhydramnios, babies are born weighing more than 4kg. Eating a lot, drinking a lot and urinating a lot, in the urine there is sugar, prone to candida recurrence many times. Infection, pyelonephritis, nephritis or postpartum hemorrhage. Repeated miscarriage or stillbirth for unknown reasons. Effects on the fetus: The fetus may be deformed, congenital malformations of muscles, nerves,... Due to the large size of the fetus, it is easy to be born with broken bones, or suffer from trauma during normal delivery and birth. surgery. Gestational diabetes increases the mortality rate of the fetus and newborn baby in the first week after birth 2-5 times higher than normal. The baby can develop respiratory failure, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and is at risk for hereditary diabetes.

3. What should gestational diabetes eat?

Gestational diabetes has a significant impact on the health of the mother as well as the development of the fetus in the womb and after birth. Therefore, for pregnant women with this condition, it is necessary to adhere to the treatment regimen of specialized doctors. Along with that, it is necessary to have a reasonable diet to both control blood sugar and provide adequate nutrition for the developing fetus.

Foods pregnant women should eat when having gestational diabetes: Lean meat, fish, tofu, yogurt, fat-free and sugar-free milk. Foods that are less likely to raise blood sugar such as beans, brown rice, low-sweet fruits, vegetables, and fruits. Eat several meals a day to make sure not to raise blood sugar too high, after eating and also not to let blood sugar drop too low when away from meals. During the day should eat 3 main meals and 1-2 snacks. * Note:
For pregnant women in the last 6 months need to increase 350 Kcal/day compared to normal. For women who are breastfeeding, they need to increase 550 Kcal/day compared to normal people. Foods that pregnant women should reduce: Foods that cause hyperglycemia such as candy, ice cream, tea, sweet fruits, etc. When you have gestational diabetes, you need to reduce salty foods and foods. Processed foods containing a lot of salt to prevent high blood pressure such as cold cuts, canned foods, sachets, porridge,... Foods high in fat that cause hyperlipidemia such as egg yolks, fried foods fried, internal organs (heart, liver, kidney),... Pregnant women also need to reduce drinking soft drinks, sweet fruit juices, condensed tea, alcohol, coffee,... Suggested menu for pregnant women Gestational diabetes:

Diet plays an important role in stabilizing blood sugar during pregnancy. Thereby limiting the negative effects that gestational diabetes can cause on the mother's health as well as the baby's development in the womb and after birth.
Maternity package program at Vinmec International General Hospital helps customers complete the antenatal check-ups and necessary tests during pregnancy, including screening tests for gestational diabetes. Customers registered for Maternity Package are fully cared for and checked for health of mother and baby before birth - during childbirth and after birth, fully and conscientiously.

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.