Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only happens during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body needs more insulin to help your baby grow and develop. If you have gestational diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin to meet this need. This causes high blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes can cause problems for both you and your baby. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and vision problems later in life for you. For your baby, gestational diabetes may increase the risk of being born too early (premature birth) or having a low birth weight.
You can manage gestational diabetes during pregnancy with diet, exercise and medication as needed to keep your blood sugar levels under control.
Fruits for gestational diabetes
Fruit is low in fat and sugar and high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is an excellent choice for gestational diabetes diet.
Apples
Apple is a good source of pectin which helps reduce the risk of developing heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Apples are also good sources of potassium that helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels and normal heartbeat.
Bananas
Banana is a rich source of dietary fiber which can help control blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion process thereby allowing more time for insulin to bind to cells, reducing the risk of rise in blood glucose levels after meal consumption. Bananas also contain potassium which plays an important role in regulating heart rate and blood pressure as well as maintaining fluid balance within the body.
Berries
Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are rich sources of antioxidants called anthocyanins that help lower the risk of developing heart disease by preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). They also contain folate which helps prevent birth defects such as neural tube defects like spina bifida in unborn babies during pregnancy.
Fruits for gestational diabetes
Fruits are a great way to start your day. They are also a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. However, some fruits can be high in sugar content. The best fruits for gestational diabetes are those that have low glycemic index (GI). These include:
Berries – Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries
Grapefruit
Oranges
Plums
Pineapple
Apricots
Fruits for gestational diabetes
Fruits are a great way to get nutrition and vitamins. They are a good choice if you are trying to lose weight, especially if you have gestational diabetes. Some fruits also contain natural sugars that will help satisfy your sweet tooth.
Some fruits to consider include:
Berries – strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are all low in sugar, which makes them good choices for people with gestational diabetes. Berries can be eaten as snacks or added to salads or yogurt.
Apples – apples have natural sugars but also contain fiber which helps control blood sugar levels. They also have other nutrients like vitamin C and potassium that can help fight against high blood pressure and other complications of gestational diabetes. Applesauce is another option if you don’t like eating whole apples; however, it is higher in sugar than fresh apples so limit your intake of applesauce when possible.
Pears – pears are another fruit that is low in natural sugar but high in fiber which helps control blood sugar levels and prevent overeating due to hunger pains caused by hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Grapes – grapes are easy to eat on the go because they come pre-packaged in resealable
The best way to control gestational diabetes is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
The following foods may help you manage your blood sugar levels:
Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, which can help you feel full longer and slow down the absorption of carbohydrates into your bloodstream. Try to eat at least two servings each day. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid high-glycemic fruits like bananas, pineapples and watermelon because they can raise blood glucose levels quickly.
Whole Grains: Whole grains are good sources of fiber and nutrients such as B vitamins, iron and magnesium. Look for breads made with whole grains, such as wheat or oats; pastas made from whole wheat flour; whole wheat couscous; brown rice; quinoa; barley; bulgur; farro; amaranth; buckwheat groats (kasha); corn grits (polenta); wild rice; millet; popcorn (without butter or salt); nuts and seeds (chopped or ground); buckwheat noodles (soba); sorghum flour; rye flour (when tolerated).
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women. It usually goes away after delivery, but can cause problems for both mother and baby.
Gestational diabetes is different from the type of diabetes a person may have before pregnancy. If you have gestational diabetes, your body can’t use insulin properly to process sugar. This can lead to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
High blood sugar in pregnancy can cause birth defects, miscarriage, and other complications such as preeclampsia (high blood pressure). Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to be large or overweight at birth. They may also have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life if they gain too much weight during infancy or childhood.