Medical nutritional therapy in pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus

A study of snack consumption, night-eating habits, and nutrient intake in gestational diabetes mellitus

This study was performed to identify dietary behavior such as snack consumption, night-eating and nutrients intake associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study was conducted on 219 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects and 44 GDM subjects by using a questionnaire including dietary behavior, food frequency and 3-day food record. The mean age, OGTT, and delivery weight of GDM subjects were statistically higher than those in NGT. A larger proportion of NGT subjects consumed black coffee (49.8%) while the majority of GDM subjects (61.4%) drank mixed coffee with sugar and cream. Dairy products were the most frequently consumed snack item in NGT subjects (40.7%), while fruits were most frequently consumed food item in GDM subjects (34.4%). Many of NGT subjects (49.8%) answered that they hardly took night-eating snacks whereas most of GDM subjects (61.4%) took night-eating snacks more than once a week. For change of taste preference, the proportion of NGT subjects who showed less preference for salty taste (33.3%) or greasy taste (16.9%) was higher than that of GDM subjects (11.4%). Nutrient intakes of energy, fat, cholesterol, saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), carbohydrate, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, vitamin C, and vitamin E in GDM group were significantly higher than those in NGT group. Nutrient densities of SFA and vitamin C in GDM group were higher and nutrient density of calcium was lower than those in NGT group. Taken together, it is recommended to reduce night-eating snack and choose less salty and fatty foods, black-coffee rather than coffee with cream and sugar, and more dairy products to prevent GDM.

Low Glycemic Index Carbohydrates versus All Types of Carbohydrates for Treating Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Glycemic Control

Background. Due to the higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM), more pregnant women complicated with diabetes are in need of clinical care. Purpose. Compare the effect of including only low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates (CHO) against all types of CHO on maternal glycemic control and on the maternal and newborn's nutritional status of women with type 2 DM and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods. Women (n = 107, ≤29 weeks of gestation) were randomly assigned to one of two nutrition intervention groups: moderate energy and CHO restriction (Group 1: all types of CHO, Group 2: low GI foods). Results. No baseline differences in clinical data were observed. Capillary glucose concentrations throughout pregnancy were similar between groups. Fewer women in Group 2 exceeded weight gain recommendations. Higher risk of prematurity was observed in women in Group 2. No differences in glycemic control were observed between women with type 2 DM and those with GDM. Conclusions. Inclusion of low GI CHO as part of a comprehensive nutrition intervention is equally effective in improving glycemic control as compared to all types of CHO. This strategy had a positive effect in preventing excessive maternal weight gain but increased the risk of prematurity.

Turning the tide: type 2 diabetes trends in offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus

In this review, the thesis is presented that maternal hyperglycemia produces an overnourished, fat fetus. If the fetus has a predisposition for type 2 diabetes, then the fat deposition in the fetus is predominantly in the fetal visceral cavity. Visceral fat deposition is the origin of insulin resistance. The fat fetus begins life with its pancreatic output of insulin compromised. Thus, the stage is set for developing type 2 diabetes in its lifetime. This review supports the hypothesis that normalization of maternal nutrition and fucose will decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Using Meal-Based Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) Data to Guide Dietary Recommendations in Patients With Diabetes

The purpose of this article is to describe how self- monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) data is a useful tool for identifying and managing postprandial hypergly- cemia (PPHG). PPHG and postprandial glucose excur- sions occur frequently in patients with diabetes even when hemoglobin A1C is controlled below 7.0%, and convey increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Consequently, effective management of diabe- tes must include control of postprandial glucose levels. Postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) depends on the com- position of meals, specifically the amount of carbohy- drates. Reduced-carbohydrate diets offer short-term improvements in glycemic control and other metabolic parameters, but await the support of long-term efficacy and safety studies. Glucose profiling and paired-meal SMBG are useful tools for detecting PPHG and glucose excursions. They provide immediate feedback to patients on the effect of foods and meals, thereby allowing appro- priate food and medication adjustments to improve post- prandial glycemic control

Nutritional assessment and support during pregnancy

This article thoroughly updates the authors' previous review of nutritional assessment and support during pregnancy. After briefly reviewing nutrient metabolism and requirements, the authors discuss the nutritional assessment of the pregnant woman and review the nutritional support principles in hyperemesis gravidarum and other conditions that can compromise the nutritional health of mother or fetus.