Obesity is a risk factor for the development of gestational diabetes, and progressively more women who are pregnant are obese or overweight. Dietary habits impact obesity as well as the start of gestational diabetes.1✅ JOURNAL REFERENCE
DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02749-z
A mother-child study involving 351 obese or overweight women looked at the association between diet and the start of gestational diabetes.
The study results reveal that following a healthy diet during the early stages of pregnancy lowers gestational diabetes risk.
The nutrient intakes of the study participants were determined from food journals, based on which 2 dietary patterns, an unhealthier and a healthier dietary pattern, were followed.
The overall diet quality in reference to that advised was also identified with a diet quality index and the potential for inflammation with a dietary inflammatory index.
It was also discovered that an increased dietary inflammatory index, which means a diet increasing the markers of low-grade inflammation in the body was associated with a greater risk of gestational diabetes.
A higher intake of fat and particularly saturated fats was also associated with gestational diabetes. The consumption of saturated fats increases inflammation in the body.
A number of methods were made use of for examining dietary intake early on in pregnancy. It was found that a diet that promotes health is linked to a smaller risk of gestational diabetes.
Consuming berries, fruit, vegetables, and wholegrain products in addition to unsaturated fats is especially important.
These foods and nutrients lower the body’s inflammation and as a result also gestational diabetes risk. Mothers who’re obese or overweight already prior to the pregnancy would probably benefit from early pregnancy dietary guidance.
