Can pregnant women with gestational diabetes eat sweet potatoes?

Can pregnant diabetics eat sweet potatoes in the diet? Everyone knows that eating is very important for people with diabetes, especially pregnant mothers. Let's find out if pregnant women should eat this food. 

What is gestational diabetes?

During pregnancy, your body naturally becomes more insulin resistant so more glucose feeds your baby. But if the pancreas is unable to keep up with the increased insulin demand during pregnancy, the blood sugar spikes too high because the cells don't use glucose. This leads to gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes usually occurs from 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes does not last forever. When the baby is born, the blood sugar will most likely return to normal quickly.

Effects of gestational diabetes on pregnant mothers

High blood pressure

Poly amniotic fluid

Enlarged pregnancy causes genital tract injuries at birth (rectal damage, pelvic floor prolapse, bladder prolapse)

Urinary tract infections. If not treated, it can easily lead to acute pyelonephritis. Since then, many other complications such as ketoacidosis, premature birth, amniotic fluid infection are caused

Risk of type 2 diabetes after giving birth

Gestational diabetes affects the fetus

Most babies whose mothers have gestational diabetes are quite healthy if their mothers are monitored and treated. However, there are still possible risks that your baby may encounter:

Excessive growth of pregnancy

Hypoglycemia and metabolic diseases in the newborn

Respiratory pathology: Severe respiratory syndrome

Death at birth

Newborn jaundice

Long-term effects like high fat gain and high risk of diabetes

Can you eat sweet potatoes when you have gestational diabetes?

Sweet potatoes have the scientific name Ipomoea batatas. This is a good substitute for white potatoes with lots of fiber and high nutrients such as: Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene, protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin K.

With low calories, sweet potatoes have the ability to balance insulin levels in the body, reducing blood sugar levels. So this root is very safe for diabetics. And of course, the answer is yes to pregnant mothers, is the question "Can pregnant diabetics eat sweet potatoes?"

In addition, sweet potatoes also help prevent constipation for pregnant mothers because of their high fiber content and amino acids. As a result, eating sweet potatoes will help stimulate the digestive system, detoxify, and help laxatives.

Note how to eat sweet potatoes with diabetic pregnant mothers:

Do not eat boiled or steamed sweet potatoes, but eat baked potatoes, fried with the skin in a moderate amount

Should be used at noon because after eating, the calcium inside sweet potatoes takes 4-5 hours to absorb into the body and the afternoon sunlight also helps absorb calcium.

Consume sweet potatoes in moderation and as directed by your doctor

Do not eat raw sweet potatoes and serve with pickles or radish

Suggestions of sweet potato dishes for pregnant women with diabetes

Grilled honey sweet potato

Material

Some juicy sweet potatoes

Tools: oil-free fryer

Doing

Wash off any dirt and dirt from the outside of the potato tubers, then let dry or dry

Use a sharp stick to pierce the potato to quickly ripen, leave the whole roots or cut them well, but the best taste is to leave the whole root

Set the temperature to 180 degrees C, baking time about 20-25 minutes, divided equally into 2 times to turn the surface of the potato, bake until cooked evenly.

Use a sharp stick to pierce the potato, when it feels soft, the stick will easily pass through the potato

Sweet potato oatmeal filled with coconut

Material

1 large sweet potato

1/2 cup of oats

300 ml of fresh milk without sugar

30 ml of honey

30 ml of coconut milk

60 g coconut or grated coconut

Sesame

Making

Sweet potato steamed, puree, mashed while still hot will be easier, you should mash it well to make it easy.

Add the oats and mix well and slowly add 100ml of fresh milk until the mixture is pliable

For the coconut rice (using grated coconut will taste better) coconut milk, fresh milk and honey slug evenly

Squeeze the cake and sprinkle the sesame seeds. There are two ways: Option 1 is to cook at 180 degrees for 20 minutes, then turn the cake over and continue baking 180 degrees for 20 minutes. This way the sesame won't burn. Method 2 is to sauté the cake, if you do this without the need to sprinkle sesame seeds, then the crust will be crunchier like this

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common problems pregnant women have. Be sure to follow your doctor's orders. At the same time, eat and have a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of complications for mother and baby.

See more:

Can pregnant women eat mangosteen when having gestational diabetes?

How much gestational diabetes is dangerous for mother and baby?

Taking antibiotics during pregnancy can cause birth defects!