most health care providers test for gestational diabetes mellitus (gdm) between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. gdm is diabetes that occurs in pregnant women who have not had diabetes before becoming pregnant. with gdm your body has a hard time using the insulin it needs to get energy from food you eat. the american diabetes association estimates that 18% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes. you can lower your risk of gestational diabetes by losing excess weight getting 30 minutes of physical activity on most days and by following a balanced eating plan with a variety of foods. choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories. and be sure to focus on fruits vegetables and whole grains.
can i alter my diet prior to and/or while pregnant to decrease my risk of gestational diabetes?