Gestational diabetes can affect your baby’s and your wellbeing in a number of ways, including having a large baby (which has several associated risks during labour and delivery) and your baby having very low blood glucose levels and/or breathing problems. Notably, gestational diabetes increases your risk for type 2 diabetes later on in life, but until now few studies have examined modifiable risk factors which could help you prevent the disease. For the new research, 4,413 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study II, and who had a history of gestational diabetes, were followed from 1991 through to 2005 using a food frequency questionnaire which was completed every four years.
Using a point system, the researchers evaluated three dietary patterns; the alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI). These dietary approaches were chosen because they have been shown to reduce risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the general population, and all are based on a good intake of fruits and vegetables, low consumption of red and processed meats, carbohydrate quality, and low intake of saturated fats.
The results of the study were that all three dietary approaches were associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but with varying degrees of effectiveness. The aHEI diet pattern, which was distinct from the others in advocating long-term use of multivitamins, greater fibre intake from cereals and an emphasis of white over dark meat, was associated with a 57% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. The DASH diet, on the other hand, was linked to a 46% lower risk, and aMED to a still significant 40% lower risk.
Therefore, the researchers concluded that a healthy diet can help women with a history of gestational diabetes reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, noting that a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and select white meat, seafood, legumes, and nuts for protein, is preferable. The authors also encouraged reducing your intake of red and processed meats and avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages.