Benefits include less gestational weight gain and reducing the risk of diabetes in pregnancy.
Glycaemic index (GI)
- Low GI (<55)
- Medium GI (55-70)
- High GI (>70)
- Low GI foods are digested and absorbed slowly leading to a steady state of glucose entering your blood stream. They are the healthier option.
Low GI foods
- Bread: Whole grain, multigrain, rye and sourdough
- Breakfast cereals: Porridge and All-Bran
- Fruit: apples, strawberries, peaches, plums, pears and kiwi
- Vegetables: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery
- Sweet potatoes
- Lentils, chickpeas, beans
- Pasta and noodles
- Rice: Basmati and brown
- Quinoa and couscous
- Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt
Supplements to consider taking:
Folic acid in the first trimester
A multivitamin such as pregnacare
Iron from 20 weeks of pregnancy (ferrograd c, galfer)
Magnesium if you suffer from restless legs/cramps
Vitamin D
Calcium
