Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Neelam Singh
If you are pregnant and you have gestational diabetes, you need to carefully manage the condition to avoid any complications.
What are the key factors in managing blood sugar levels with gestational diabetes?
It is crucial to control the blood sugar levels, manage the quality and quantity of food, and inculcate physical activity in daily life. Monitoring the blood glucose levels regularly is crucial in order to check for hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic events. Diet plays a huge role in managing gestational diabetes. It is necessary for you to put food items that are appropriate for a diabetic diet. If you have gestational diabetes, you must also learn how to successfully and accurately count carbohydrates. Therefore, count carbohydrates to ensure the exact dose of medication required. It is necessary to educate patients on dietary restrictions and carbohydrate counting for the independent management of diabetes later on.
You should assess their blood glucose levels before exercise or any strenuous activity. Do the same before and after eating to note the changes. You should consult their health care expert to help them curate a diet and medication regime to avoid fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking. Also, a diabetic patient must do exercises. Any physical activity should be at the same time and for the same amount each day or regularly. You should slowly and gradually increase the exercise period.
Lastly, you should get your dosage and time of injections according to your meals, activity, and bedtime on the basis of your individualised medication regimen.
What are the dietary recommendations with gestational diabetes?
Nutritional management shall include meal planning, avoiding food with a high glycemic index, weight control, carbohydrate counting, losing weight if obese, diet education, and nutritional counselling. Eat small frequent meals. Also, monitor the quantity of food eaten at a meal. It is essential to consult a dietician or an expert to keep blood sugar levels in control.
Do your meal planning considering your food preferences, eating schedule and cultural background. There must be consistency in maintaining the time intervals between meals.
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