Mediterranean Diet May Benefit Pregnant Women in This Way

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is first seen in pregnant women who did not have diabetes before.

Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy may have a lower risk of gestational diabetes. 

(Photo: iStockphoto)

A study claims, women who follow a Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy, including a daily portion of walnuts and almonds, and extra virgin olive oil, may have a lower risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is first seen in a pregnant woman who did not have diabetes before she was pregnant.

The study included 1,252 multi-ethnic inner-city pregnant women with metabolic risk factors, including obesity and chronic hypertension.

In addition to receiving folic acid and vitamin D supplementation, the women were randomly assigned to either a Mediterranean-style diet or a control group that received dietary advice per UK national recommendations for prenatal care and weight management during pregnancy.

Those who followed the Mediterranean diet consumed a daily portion of nuts, including 15 grammes of walnuts, 7.5 grammes of almonds, 7.5 grammes of hazelnuts) and used extra virgin olive oil as their main source of cooking fat.

In addition, the diet emphasised fruit, vegetables, non-refined grains and legumes; moderate to high consumption of fish; small to moderate intake of poultry and dairy products; low intake of red meat and processed meat; and avoidance of sugary drinks, fast food, and food rich in animal-based fat.

Participants received dietary advice at 18, 20, and 28 weeks’ gestation to help improve compliance and make sure the diet was made culturally sensitive.

Researchers also assessed the effect of a Mediterranean diet on other pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, stillbirth, small for gestational age fetus, or admission to a neonatal care unit, but did not find any significant associations.

One in four mothers enter pregnancy with pre-existing obesity, chronic hypertension or raised lipid levels, which can lead to pregnancy complications, long-term risk of diabetes and cardiovascular complications for mothers and their children.