Mediterranean-Style Diet May Prevent Pregnancy Weight Gain, Gestational Diabetes, Finds Study

Pregnancy weight gain and gestational diabetes could be prevented by following a Mediterranean-style diet, according to a study. The study found that expecting mothers must include nuts and extra virgin olive oil in their diets to reduce the risk of high blood sugar.

High blood sugar is associated with several pregnancy-related complications for the mother and the child, including stillbirth, admission to neonatal intensive care and babies smaller than their gestational age.

The research published in the medical journal PLoS Medicine last month focused on the various health benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet in pregnant women with several metabolic risk factors. The study found that these risk factors can be reduced by switching to this diet plan.

“A Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications in non-pregnant population,” lead researcher Shakila Thangaratinam from the Queen Mary University of London in the UK, told Reuters.

“This is the largest study in pregnancy to show that Mediterranean diet minimizes the risk of gestational diabetes and weight gain. It is a relatively easy to follow diet, with large benefits,” the researcher added.

For the study, the research team observed a total of 1,252 women with so-called metabolic risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and obesity, before they conceived. These metabolic factors are likely to increase the risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

All the participants in the study were asked to follow a healthy diet plan. They were also asked to consume vitamin D Supplements and folic acid during pregnancy for the wellbeing of the mother and the child.

Halfway through pregnancy, the study’s authors randomly divided the participants into two groups. The first group was asked to follow a Mediterranean diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil and nuts. The diet also focused on consuming less sugary foods, processed red meat. The second group was allowed to follow their usual eating habits throughout the pregnancy.

At the end of the study, the researchers found that those who switched to the Mediterranean-style diet were 35 percent less likely to develop gestational diabetes compared with the ones who did not change their diet.

The researchers also found the first group of participants gained less weight than the second group of women during pregnancy. While the second group gained 8.3 kg or 18 pounds, the first group gained only 6.8 kg or 15 pounds.

However, the research team said the study has its own limitations mainly because they were unable to find out if a Mediterranean-style diet can increase the risk of asthma or allergies and obesity in children later in life.

The researchers concluded the study by stating that “a simple, individualized, Mediterranean-style diet in pregnancy did not reduce the overall risk of adverse maternal and offspring complications but has the potential to reduce gestational weight gain and the risk of gestational diabetes."