Low-glycaemic index diet to improve dietary intake among women with gestational diabetes mellitus

This study examines the effect of a low glycaemic index (LGI) intervention to improve dietary intake among women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Women with GDM were randomised to receive either a low GI intervention (LGI; n = 20) or standard nutrition therapy (SNT; n = 20) for a 4-week period. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Three-Day Diet Record assessed the dietary intake and food choices. Dietary intake and food choices of the participants were comparable at baseline. At the end of the study, energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate were reduced in both groups (p < 0.05). In the LGI group, fibre and calcium intake was higher compared with SNT group. More participants in the LGI group consumed rice from the low GI varieties, the whole grain breads and the low GI biscuits (p<0.05) compared with participants in the SNT group. The diet GI reduced significantly in the LGI group (50 ± 9 units) compared with the SNT group (57 ± 6) (p < 0.05). Findings showed low GI dietary intervention improved the dietary intake of women with GDM.