In November 2018 researchers from Australia, Vietnam and China published the results of their study to assess the association between dietary patterns during early pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes amongst pregnant women. A total of 1,337 pregnant women from Western China were involved in the study. Information on dietary intake was collected via a food frequency questionnaire at 15-20 weeks of gestation, with three dietary patterns being identified, namely, a plant-based pattern, a meat-based pattern and a high protein-low starch pattern. Each individual also underwent an oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks, resulting in 199 women (15%) being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Results showed that there was no significant association between dietary patterns in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes. However, a high protein-low starch diet did appear to be associated with a reduced risk for gestational diabetes in women who were overweight prior to falling pregnant.
Mak JKL et al. Dietary patterns during pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes: a prospective cohort study in Western China. Nutr J. 2018 Nov 20;17(1):107