A gestational diabetes diet plan is essential when you are pregnant because as your body changes it absorbs nutrients differently. The recommended dietary intake for most of the nutrients is increased during pregnancy; therefore the absorption of these nutrients increases during pregnancy and also when you are breastfeeding. The reason this happens is known as progesterone, which is a hormone, secreted by the placenta; it actually slows down your digestive tract and allows more time for the nutrients to absorb.

The way to provide these important nutrients is in the food you eat. Maintaining a nutritious gestational diabetes diet before pregnancy and during pregnancy will allow you to meet the recommended nutrient needs without having to add supplements to your diet; however, there are two possible exceptions, which are iron and folate.

A simple guideline for a gestational diabetes diet plan is:

* Limit your intake of fatty foods, especially the ones that are high in saturated fats
* Limit your intake of foods and drinks that contain refined or added sugar
* Try to avoid or at least limit foods that have a low nutrient value like soft drink, crisps, packet snacks etc.
* Avoid alcohol
* Try to eat a variety of nutritious foods

Following is a gestational diabetes daily diet plan that is recommended during pregnancy:

* 2 to 3 serves of fruit
* 2 serves of milk products
* 3 serves of fat-rich foods
* 3 serves of meat or alternatives
* 5 to 6 serves of vegetables
* 6 to 10 serves of breads, starchy foods and cereals

Following is a gestational diabetes daily diet plan that is recommended while you are breastfeeding:

* 4 to 5 serves of fruit
* 2 serves of milk products
* 3 serves of fat-rich foods
* 2 serves of meat or alternatives
* 6 or more serves of vegetables
* 8 to 10 serves of breads, starchy foods and cereals

Remember that if you do have gestational diabetes you have as much chance as the next women to have a healthy baby, this can be avoided provided you maintain a nutritious diet plan; this will also ensure that your diabetes does not develop into type 2 diabetes later in your life.




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