Diet
Women with diabetes do not need to go on a special diet just because they are pregnant, but a healthy diet should be promoted in order to help control diabetes.
The NICE guidelines suggest the following:
• Women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant should be offered individualised dietary advice.
• Women with diabetes who are planning to become pregnant and who have a body mass index above 27 kg/m2 should be offered advice on how to lose weight in line with 'Obesity: guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children'
Watch the following clip to hear more about good food choices, foods to avoid and other tips about managing diet during pregnancy.
- Encourage women to choose a healthy, balanced diet, providing help and advice or directing them towards their doctor or dietitian. See the lists below for good food choices and foods to avoid!
- Remind women that they are at higher risk of hypoglycaemia during pregnancy and may need to snack more throughout the day. Promote healthy snack choices such as yogurt and fruit.
- Liver
- Pate
- Unpasteurised Soft Cheeses
- Ready Prepared Salads
- Limit Caffeine
- Starchy Foods
- Fruit and Vegetables
- Dairy Products
- Folic acid 5mg (Very important)
- Vitamin D 10ug
- Ask your doctor for a prescription
Self-Assessment
Why is vitamin D important in pregnancy?
Which of the following groups of foods should be avoided during pregnancy?
Women with pre-existing diabetes are recommended to take folic acid preconceptually. What dose is recomended?