
Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
#Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016
Abstract Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) plays an impor-
tant role in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus
(GDM), and accordingly, it has a significant impact on women
and newborns. The primary objective of MNT is to ensure
adequate pregnancy weight gain and fetus growth while main-
taining euglycemia and avoiding ketones. However, the opti-
mal diet (energy content, macronutrient distribution, its qual-
ity and amount, among others) remains an outstanding ques-
tion. Overall, the nutritional requirements of GDM are similar
for all pregnancies, but special attention is paid to carbohy-
drates. Despite the classical intervention of restricting carbo-
hydrates, the latest evidence, although limited, seems to favor
a low-glycemic index diet. There is general agreement in the
literature about caloric restrictions in the case of being over-
weight or obese. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to
investigate the optimal MNT for GDM; this knowledge could
Keywords Carbohydrates .Diet .Gestational diabetes .
Gestational diabetes mellitus .Medical nutrition therapy .
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a frequent metabolic
condition associated with pregnancy that leads to substantial
maternal and perinatal complications. Medical nutrition ther-
apy (MNT) remains the main strategy for the treatment of
gestational diabetes [1]. However, there is still insufficient
evidence as to which is the optimal type of dietary advice.
This paper revises the available evidence from studies on this
matter
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