Pregnant obese women, mostly those who conceive after 30 years of age, must watch their diet and weight. If they do not follow a healthy meal plan, they may be affected by gestational diabetes (GD) with abnormally high levels of sugar in their blood.
Pregnant obese women, mostly those who conceive after 30 years of age, must watch their diet and weight. If they do not follow a healthy meal plan, they may be affected by gestational diabetes (GD) with abnormally high levels of sugar in their blood.
It is estimated that 5-10 per cent of pregnant women living in urban areas develop GD which can lead to complications in the new-born too if not properly monitored. Thanks to the present day lifestyle, the number of GD cases have increased manifold compared to a decade ago.
To avoid GD, one should take care right from the pre-pregnancy stage, Dr Seema Choudhary, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician, Motherhood Hospital, said.
“Pre-pregnancy weight is very important. Women who are obese during conceiving run a higher chance of getting GD. Also, those with a family history of diabetes should take care of their food habit from the beginning of their pregnancy,” she said.
Pregnant women above 30 years of age tend to develop GD because of stress and lifestyle. Stress, obesity, food habits and less intake of water are responsible for GD. Moreover, if a woman has GD in her first pregnancy, she would have a 30-50 per cent chance of developing it in the next,”she said.
To ensure blood sugar levels within limits, following a sensible diet is important. According to Sheela Krishnaswamy, diet, nutrition and wellness consultant, and a board director of the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations, the nutritional requirements for a gestational diabetic is similar to that of a pregnant woman without diabetes.
A pregnant woman’s energy requirements would be around 30 kilocalories per kg body weight if she is not overweight in the first trimester. In the second and third trimesters, she would need an additional 300 calories. Her protein, calcium, folic acid and iron requirements are also enhanced during pregnancy. However, a gestational diabetic needs to watch the intake of fat and refined carbohydrates, she said. This means, it is best to stay away from fried foods, high fat foods, sugars, sweets, desserts, soft drinks, maida products like white bread, and so on.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}