Articles
Life After Gestational Diabetes
Having Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy can be a little scary and quite confusing. Women diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes while pregnant often need to make substantial dietary changes and require frequent visits to their dietitian to ensure they are following a healthy diet, suitable to the condition.
It is important to remember that once the baby is born and the Gestational Diabetes is essentially over, there is still an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. It is important to continue a healthy diet, focusing on a regular carbohydrate intake and ensuring you have an adequate amount of other nutrients to allow for the added requirements of breastfeeding.
A breastfeeding mother requires up to 2500 additional kilojoules per day and should not let carbohydrate intake drop below 150g per day. Every ones metabolism is different and regular visitations with your dietitian whilst breastfeeding will allow you to work out a daily intake that is suitable to you and your weight loss/gain needs.
Nutrients of importance whilst breastfeeding include carbohydrate, protein, calcium, iron, folate and vitamin C. You will require additional amounts of protein, calcium and vitamin C, and extra servings of foods rich in these nutrients will make up your additional kilojoule needs whilst breastfeeding. Your dietitian can advise you on the types and amounts of food you should include in your diet.
A new baby makes for a very busy time of life. Self care often takes a back role to looking after the baby, and many women either forget to eat or end up reaching for quick and easy convenience foods at the last minute. This will not only hinder any weight loss goals, it can drastically effect already drained energy levels and lead to an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Being prepared when it comes to meals is very important. Make sure you have quick and easy breakfast options available such as low fat, low GI breakfast cereals, wholemeal breads and crumpets, quick porridge sachets and tins of baked beans. Wholemeal toast and crumpets can be easily eaten whilst sitting down for the morning breastfeed.
Previous nights leftovers are a great lunch option as they require very little preparation. The night before, place a smaller portion in a plastic container and refrigerate for the following day. If you need to make a lunch each day, prepare it whilst the baby has a morning nap. Toasted sandwiches or low fat dip with rice crackers and vegetable sticks are good options to choose if you wish to eat whilst breastfeeding. Include a calcium source at lunch to ensure you reach the increased recommendations for breastfeeding.
Preparing dinner is often a difficult task, as babies can become rather difficult later in the afternoon. Thinking ahead, doing one large shop per week and pre-planning nightly meals will all make life much easier and ensure you have a healthy meal prepared each night. Always include a meat source, a carbohydrate source and some vegetables. Eat red meat at least 3 times a week to ensure adequate iron intake.
Have healthy snacks in the house at all times. Stock up on fresh fruits, dried fruit and nuts, wholegrain crackers and reduced fat yoghurts. Eating between meals is important to maintain blood sugar levels. This will help regulate energy levels and help prevent the development of Type 2 Diabetes.
After Gestational Diabetes, a dietitian can help you to develop a healthy meal plan with both meal and snack ideas that will fit into your new lifestyle and account for your breastfeeding and increased diabetes risk. They can also help you to lose any unwanted weight after birth and ensure your energy levels are adequate to help you care for yourself and your new baby. You are investing in the future, and now is the time to do it.
Added to site on : Monday, 15 July 2013