People who are pregnant or preparing for pregnancy should pay special attention to their diet, and it is especially important for those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Working with a dietitian to develop a varied and healthy eating plan and avoiding unsafe foods and beverages can help ensure the health of the patient and the fetus.
Make a plan
If you are preparing for pregnancy, you need to consult a dietitian. A dietitian can help develop a diet plan that fits the lifestyle and provides the proper nutrients. Having an eating plan and eating at regular times of the day can help prevent high or low blood sugar.
But remember: “Eating for two” doesn’t mean eating twice as many meals. When you’re pregnant, you only need 300 extra calories a day, and you need to pay attention to eating more nutritious foods, not just the amount you eat.
Choose the right foods.
Choosing the right foods
All the rules of good eating habits apply during pregnancy, too. Choose a balanced mix of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and healthy fats to get all the essential nutrients.
However, there also needs to be a full-day plan for controlling blood sugar. A good way to do this is to follow an eating plan of three regular meals and three snacks per day.
At each meal, consume at least one serving of protein and one serving of carbohydrate.
- Protein can include.
- Eggs;
- Lean meat or fish;
- Cheese;
- Beans;
- tofu;
- Nuts or nut butters.
- Carbohydrates may include.
- Starch, such as bread, cooked or dried cereal, rice, pasta, crunchy crackers (try to choose whole grains rather than processed foods);
- fruits;
- Dairy products, such as milk and yogurt.
Just as before pregnancy, carbohydrate intake needs to be calculated to ensure that blood sugar is well controlled. Usually, the amount of carbohydrate to be consumed depends on height, weight, activity level, and current blood glucose control status. The dietitian will advise the optimal carbohydrate intake and also the number of calories to be consumed, which is approximately 1700 to 2700 calories per day. As pregnancy continues, more calories may need to be consumed.
It is also important to make sure that you are consuming the other nutrients that each woman needs for a healthy pregnancy.
- Folic acid. Pregnant women need 400 to 800 mg of folic acid daily to prevent fetal spine and brain problems. Folic acid can be consumed through supplements or foods such as spinach, nuts and legumes, and fortified foods such as breads and cereals. Consult your doctor about the need to consume other vitamins.
- Calcium. Contained in foods such as dairy products and cauliflower.
- Vitamin D. Contained in salmon and fortified milk.
- Vitamin D.
- Iron. Sources include lean red meat or beans.
One simple dietary rule to control blood sugar: 1/4 plate of meat or other protein foods, 1/4 plate of whole grains or starchy vegetables (potatoes, beans, corn), and 1/2 plate of non-starchy vegetables such as greens, tomatoes, etc. Add a serving of milk, fruit, or yogurt to each meal, or eat as a snack.
Stay away from forbidden foods
- Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol raises the chances of miscarriage and fetal ethanol syndrome.
- Do not eat unsafe foods during pregnancy. Don’t eat raw seafood, such as sushi or oysters, or fish with high mercury content, such as swordfish. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products, juices, and soft cheeses such as brie and feta unless labeled as pasteurized. Eat only fully cooked meats, eggs and poultry. Hot dogs and lunch meats must be fully heated or simply not eaten.
- You should not consume more than 200 mg of caffeine a day-about a cup and a half of 240 mL of coffee. Although many herbal teas do not contain caffeine, scientists are not entirely sure of their effects on a developing fetus. Therefore, consult your doctor before consuming them.
- There is no evidence that artificial sweeteners are unsafe to consume during pregnancy, but it is best to choose sugar-free sodas or sugar-free foods only occasionally. Check product labels for aspartame and saccharin, and consult your doctor for more advice on safe intake.
- Eat less candy and desserts. They can increase carbohydrate intake without nutrition and can spike blood sugar levels.