Super Foods to fight Gestational Diabetes
Pregnancy is that special time in a woman’s life when she not only needs to look after herself but also has to address the needs of her growing baby. Unfortunately some women during pregnancy develop high blood sugar levels. This condition is known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes does raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes typically develops between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. If left uncontrolled , it can also raise the chances of the baby developing diabetes and thus increase the risk of complications for expectant mother and baby during pregnancy and delivery.
Following these everyday practical diet advice will not only keep the blood sugar levels in check but also make the diet nutritionally balanced
A handful of chickpeas tossed with green salads, or a tasty chickpea curry served with hot roti/chapaati will surely help prevent elevated blood sugar levels. You can also prepare hummus using boiled chickpeas for a nutritious evening snack and serve it with salad sticks.
Include kidney beans, black beans, white beans in your daily meals at least thrice a week to stabilize body’s blood-sugar levels. Beans are unique since they are an excellent source of high-quality complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and soluble fibre.
To keep the blood sugar steady for hours, include barley in your diet. Having a meal with barley instead of white rice has shown to reduce the rise in blood sugar by almost 70%.
Broccoli being high in fibres and low in carbohydrates is the most ideal pick for diabetics. Other veggies like spinach and green beans are also included in this category.
Since Oatmeal is packed with soluble fibre it slows the absorption of glucose from food in the stomach thus controlling the blood sugar levels. An oatmeal breakfast is surely a healthy way to start the day.
Ragi is the perfect health food that aids in digestion and prevents over-eating since it makes one feel full for a longer span of time. It is high in fibre and helps maintain optimum sugar levels in blood.
A raw onion salad along with meals is a perfect accompaniment for diabetics. It has hypoglycaemic effects that are beneficial. Onions contain an anti-diabetic compound and have the ability to reduce blood sugar levels.
Bitter Gourd (karela) – contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties and can help manage diabetes better. A compound called charantin in karela keeps the glucose low and controls sugar levels. Make a dry Indian style bhaaji or juice it if you can tolerate the bitter taste. But the taste will be worth it!
Fenugreek (methi) seeds are yet another powerful addition as these seeds contain fibre and other chemicals which slow digestion and the body’s absorption of carbohydrates and sugar. Soak about one teaspoon of methi seeds overnight & drink this water on an empty stomach in the morning. It will help in many ways to cope with the complications of Diabetes.
Last but not the least Drumsticks can keep the glucose levels in the blood in check. Use them in your sambhars or dal. Owing to its anti- diabetic property, eating this vegetable regularly, diabetes can be managed better. Take a few drumstick leaves ( moringa leaves), wash and crush them to extract their juice. Drink one cup of this juice every morning before you eat anything else
