Wednesday, October 3, 2007

The Diabetic Pregnancy Diet - Ensuring Your Baby's Health


Babies are top priority for mothers. This is why pregnant mothers undergo regular check-ups to make sure that all is well for the baby. Due to the common occurrence of gestational diabetes, diabetic pregnancy diet is making its way into the medical to-do list of mothers and gynecologists.
If you notice that you are hungrier, thirstier, and more exhausted than you normally are, and you impulsively go to your bathroom every 15 minutes, then it is about time to take the Glucose Challenge Test, for you may be suffering from gestational diabetes.
Besides monitoring your glucose or blood sugar level, you must also learn how to properly eat three small-sized or medium-sized meals daily, so that your blood sugar levels will stabilize. This is also helpful in providing adequate source of nutrition to your baby. Next to having these sizes of diet daily is focusing on the nutritional value of the foods you are taking.
No Junk Food
You must get rid of foods that are not providing necessary vitamins and minerals to you and your baby. This means that you are to avoid junk foods and those with lots of chemicals and preservatives.
Other than eliminating junk foods from your diet, you must also learn how to reduce intake of simple carbohydrates and sugars. Sweets and sugar are your major enemies. They are the roots of your weakness - this is the reason why many doctors prohibit excessive eating of chocolates and other sweet foods.
You must avoid foods with artificial sweeteners for it will not only increase your blood sugar levels, but it will also have some effects on the brain of your baby.
High Fiber Diet
Eating fibrous foods like vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and beans will counter the effect of sugar in your bloodstream, in such a way that your sugar levels will remain healthy. Thus, your blood sugar level will not rise rapidly.
Dietitians and nutritionists will also tell you that you must also avoid eating salty and fatty foods. Salt must be reduced promptly, while fats must be reduced gradually. You are not allowed to eat high fat foods because they are not rich in nutrients and fibers needed in your pregnancy.
You must also learn how to eat a variety of foods. Your daily diet must incorporate different types of foods. As doctors say, you must also have a balanced diet. Try getting nutrition from different food groups. You must balance carbohydrate foods with protein-rich viands and some greens.
Exercise Is Also Important
The perfect diet for pregnant mothers is never complete without the proper exercise. You are not just watching your sugar intake, but also strengthening your stamina and resistance. Exercise is the only means of achieving a healthy and diabetes-free body. However, during pregnancy it is a must to ask reference and permission from your doctor before engaging in any type of exercise.
Note that not all the available exercise and fitness instructions are perfect and good for you. Consider that you are pregnant, so naturally you cannot do ordinary curl-ups, push-ups and weights. Gentle exercises lasting for about 30 minutes when executed daily will help decrease your blood sugar level.
Other than "pregnant" exercises you can also resort to low-impact activities. These are not only helpful in normalizing your blood sugar levels and making your body healthy, but these are also the safest activities for you and your baby. Included in such low-impact activities are yoga and swimming.
However, if you are not the sporty type you can just walk around your house or the neighborhood. This is helpful in normalizing your blood sugar levels.
Checking up with your dietitian will help you in accurately preparing your diabetic pregnancy diet. She will provide the proper examination and evaluation that will effectively lower your blood sugar level.
Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Learn-About-Diabetes.com. She provides more information on topics such as diabetic pregnancy diet, diabetic diet menus and diabetes diet info that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

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