In general , when given alongside gestational weight gain advice , fasting glucose improved in most diets compared to diets that gave gestational weight gain advice only .
However , fasting glucose increased in high unsaturated or monounsaturated fatty acids diets .
In the absence of gestational weight gain advice , fasting glucose improved in DASH-style diets compared to st and ard of care .
Although most were non-significant , similar trends were observed for these same diets for the other glycemic outcomes .
/INTERPRETATION Alongside with gestational weight gain advice , most diets , with the exception of a high unsaturated or a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet , demonstrated a fasting glucose improvement compared with gestational weight gain advice only .
When gestational weight gain advice was not given , the DASH-style diet appeared optimal on fasting glucose .
However , a small number of trials were identified and most dietary comparisons were underpowered to detect differences in glycemic outcomes .
AIMS Evidence to support dietary modifications to improve glycemia during pregnancy is limited , and the benefits of diet beyond limiting gestational weight gain is unclear .
Therefore , a systematic review and network meta- analysis of r and omized trials was conducted to compare the effects of various common diets , stratified by the addition of gestational weight gain advice , on fasting glucose and insulin , hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c ) , and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR ) in pregnant women .
Can a Low–Glycemic Index Diet Reduce the Need for Insulin in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?
OBJECTIVE A low – glycemic index diet is effective as a treatment for individuals with diabetes and has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes when used from the first trimester . A low – glycemic index diet is commonly advised as treatment for women with gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM ) . However , the efficacy of this advice and associated pregnancy outcomes have not been systematic ally examined . The purpose of this study was to determine whether prescribing a low – glycemic index diet for women with GDM could reduce the number of women requiring insulin without compromise of pregnancy outcomes . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS All women with GDM seen over a 12-month period were considered for inclusion in the study . Women ( n = 63 ) were r and omly assigned to receive either a low – glycemic index diet or a conventional high-fiber ( and higher glycemic index ) diet . RESULTS Of the 31 women r and omly assigned to a low – glycemic index diet , 9 ( 29 % ) required insulin . Of the women r and omly assigned to a higher – glycemic index diet , a significantly higher proportion , 19 of 32 ( 59 % ) , met the criteria to commence insulin treatment ( P = 0.023 ) . However , 9 of these 19 women were able to avoid insulin use by changing to a low – glycemic index diet . Key obstetric and fetal outcomes were not significantly different . CONCLUSIONS Using a low – glycemic index diet for women with GDM effectively halved the number needing to use insulin , with no compromise of obstetric or fetal outcomes
In general , when given alongside gestational weight gain advice , fasting glucose improved in most diets compared to diets that gave gestational weight gain advice only .
However , fasting glucose increased in high unsaturated or monounsaturated fatty acids diets .
In the absence of gestational weight gain advice , fasting glucose improved in DASH-style diets compared to st and ard of care .
Although most were non-significant , similar trends were observed for these same diets for the other glycemic outcomes .
/INTERPRETATION Alongside with gestational weight gain advice , most diets , with the exception of a high unsaturated or a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet , demonstrated a fasting glucose improvement compared with gestational weight gain advice only .
When gestational weight gain advice was not given , the DASH-style diet appeared optimal on fasting glucose .
However , a small number of trials were identified and most dietary comparisons were underpowered to detect differences in glycemic outcomes .
AIMS Evidence to support dietary modifications to improve glycemia during pregnancy is limited , and the benefits of diet beyond limiting gestational weight gain is unclear .
Therefore , a systematic review and network meta- analysis of r and omized trials was conducted to compare the effects of various common diets , stratified by the addition of gestational weight gain advice , on fasting glucose and insulin , hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c ) , and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance ( HOMA-IR ) in pregnant women .