Gestational Diabetes Diet: How to Reverse Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

A well-planned gestational diabetes diet can reverse the symptoms of gestational diabetes that you are exhibiting and enable you to enjoy a healthy delivery. Gestational diabetes develops in otherwise diabetes-free women, normally in the 24th to 28th weeks of their pregnancies.

As with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes can be effectively controlled in most cases, and even reversed completely in many cases, through implementing a gestational diabetes diet and getting daily physical exercise. Remember, what causes diabetes mellitus is poor dieting and sedentary living year after year.

Gestational diabetes symptoms often go unnoticed or are not thought to be unusual given that the individual is pregnant. Most frequently, gestational diabetes symptoms include being very thirsty and having to pee many times every day. Many women just consider this a natural part of pregnancy and pay it no mind. However, if the thirst is a result of elevated blood-glucose levels, then the developing baby is put at risk if the symptoms are not controlled.

The excess glucose in the mother’s bloodstream can pass through the placental wall and enter into the developing baby. Glucose in excess of what is required to fuel the baby’s development is then are stored as fat and can cause macrosomia (fat baby syndrome). Macrosomia can cause a number of health issues including:

• Problems with delivery because the baby is too large;
• A slowed metabolism and a propensity for the development of pancreatic issues in the baby;
• Getting off to a start in life carrying extra weight and being prone to become overweight and/or obese;
• More…

The gestational diabetes diet is just the same as a Type 2 diabetes diet and should be based as follows:

• Water foods are the main concentration. That means plants: vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes;
• Only low-fat and non-fat dairy products;
• Only the leanest cuts of meat with all excess fat trimmed;
• Avoid saturated fats;
• Strongly avoid Trans fats;
• Avoid alcohol:
• Avoid fast foods and processed foods;
• Avoid microwave foods and high-sugar foods;
• Avoid high-sodium foods;
• Drink plenty of fresh water every day;
• Eat 5 or 6 small meals every day – not just 1 or 2 large meals;
• Eat your meals at the same times every day;

In addition to planning and employing your healthy gestational diabetes diet, you also need to do the following:

• Talk to your doctor and have him run blood work to determine if you have gestational diabetes for sure;
• Exercise for 20 or 30 minutes every day – not like a maniac, just enough to get your heart pumping strong;
• Check your blood sugar often at home with a home glucose monitor. The more often the better;
• Resist your urges for ice cream and other naughty snacks – even though you’re pregnant. Being pregnant is the most important time to ensure that everything you eat is optimally healthful!
• Develop and practice gentle techniques for stress management like meditation, Yoga and Pilates. Stress is your enemy.

Following a gestational diabetes diet, exercising every day and effectively managing your stress will ensure that your pregnancy is trouble-free and that you baby gets off to a healthy head-start in life. Begin today!