Diet And Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Pregestational Diabetes

Pregnancy is a time of great physical and emotional changes. Along with the joy of preparing for a new baby, many women also face the challenge of managing their diabetes. For women with pregestational diabetes, strict blood sugar control is essential to preventing complications during pregnancy. Diet and lifestyle changes are crucial to keeping blood sugar levels under control. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the diet and lifestyle changes that women with pregestational diabetes can make to prevent complications during pregnancy. We’ll cover topics like which foods to eat and avoid, how to get enough exercise, and how to manage stress.

The Role Of Diet In Preventing Pregestational Diabetes

Pregestational diabetes is a condition that is caused by the combination of a high blood sugar level and gestational diabetes. It affects about 1 in 10 pregnant women, and it can be very dangerous for both mother and baby. A healthy diet is important for all women, but especially for those who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. There are many dietary factors that can contribute to pregestational diabetes, including excessive weight gain, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity.

Fortunately, there are also many simple lifestyle changes that married couples can make to help prevent pregestational diabetes from developing. For example, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help to control weight gain and improve overall health. Additionally, keeping track of your blood sugar levels and adjusting your medication as needed can also help to prevent pregestational diabetes from developing.

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Foods To Eat And Avoid During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is important to eat a healthy diet. This includes consuming a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. There are certain food to avoid during pregnancy; for example unpasteurized milk and cheese, raw meat and fish, deli meats, and caffeine. Making lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help prevent pregestational diabetes.

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Some specific foods to eat during pregnancy include:

Fruits and vegetables: Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Choose brightly coloured, leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens as well as other cruciferous veggies like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Try Vitamin C-rich fruits like grapefruit, oranges or strawberries. For added fiber, choose legumes such as black beans or chickpeas over processed carbs like white bread or pasta.

Lean protein: Include 2–3 servings of lean protein per day from animal sources (such as fish, poultry, eggs) or plant sources (such as tofu, tempeh). Make sure the meat is grilled or roasted instead of boiled or baked so that it retains more nutrients. Examples of plant-based proteins include lentils, quinoa flakes/meal bars/crunchies/bars/protein powders made from hemp seeds/almonds/, soy milk yogurt smoothies etc. Avoid processed meats including hot dogs and bacon.

Low-fat dairy: Consume 3–4 cups of low fat dairy each day to get calcium and other important nutrients your baby needs for development. Opt for full fat dairy when possible but keep portions small (1 cup) because it can be high in calories and saturated fats. Some good choices are plain yogurt with fresh fruit on top; unsweetened almond milk; whole milk fortified with calcium; cheese sticks; hard boiled eggs; oatmeal with raisins etc.

Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Pregestational Diabetes

Pregestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It’s estimated that up to 80% of gestational diabetes cases can be prevented with diet and lifestyle changes. The key lifestyle changes that are most effective in preventing pregestational diabetes are:

• Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, especially those containing high levels of sugar
• Eating more fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Preventing pregestational diabetes is easier than you might think. By making simple, easy-to-follow lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing the condition. And since most cases of pregestational diabetes can be prevented with a few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle, it’s worth doing whatever it takes to avoid it.

Don’t wait for the situation to get worse. Start caring about yourself and Book an appointment with Dr. Deepti Asthana today! 

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