subject: Gestational Diabetes Carb Counting Diet – Control Your Carb Intake [print this page] Gestational Diabetes Carb Counting Diet Control Your Carb Intake
The increase in blood sugar levels of a pregnant woman is what characterizes gestational diabetes. When the glucose level goes way past the normal level, both the mother and the baby's health are put at risk. Although after giving birth, it is often noticed that sugar levels return to their normal state, this problem still needs to be addressed and not ignored. One way of dealing with this is by reducing the intake of certain food types that add to one's sugar level, such as carbohydrates. As you may already know, once processed, carbohydrates are transformed into glucose by the body, as a source of energy. Since a gestational diabetic already has too much sugar in the body, carb intake control is a very logical approach to fighting the condition.
The gestational diabetes carb counting diet involves monitoring how much carbohydrates you take into your body everyday. This is to ensure that you don't put in more carbohydrates that what your body really needs to properly function. Through this diet, you only consume just the right amount of carbohydrates so that it could all be converted into energy for your body to use. There are certain amounts of carbs that is recommended for pregnant women. The most preferred carb sources for this diet are rice, potatoes, select vegetables and dairy products. Approximately 12 grams is the maximum amount of daily carb in take in the gestational diabetes carb counting diet, so you will really have to cut back on carb especially if you're used to a high-carb diet. Sometimes carb sources may be substituted by other type of food in the same group. For example, you may be advised to eat bread in place of cereals.
The gestational diabetes carb counting diet also guides women on the proper dieting procedure during their pregnancy that can lessen their difficulty in child bearing and child birth and also improve their health in this critical period. For example, if a pregnant woman has 300 extra calories every day, she can gain the recommended weight for giving birth. It is also advisable to pregnant women to ensure that they have protein in their diet at least 12 to 14 grams daily. This is because protein intake is essential for the baby's growth, especially in the gestational carb counting diet. Some women may find this diet difficult to follow, but you will be provided by your nutritionist or dietician with a menu. Another option is to follow a meal guide that is designed for diabetics.
