Effect of ultra-processed foods consumption on glycemic control and gestational weight gain in pregnant with pregestational diabetes mellitus using carbohydrate counting
Carolina F. M. Silva, Cláudia Saunders, Wilza Arantes Ferreira Peres, Bárbara Folino, Taiana Kamel, Mayara Silva dos Santos, Patrícia de Carvalho Padilha
Abstract
Aims The aims were to evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods by pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) using the carbohydrate counting method, in addition to investigating the association with total gestational weight gain and glycemic control. Methods A cohort study of adult Brazilian pregnant women with pre-existing DM. Dietary intake was evaluated adopting the NOVA classification to identify the reported consumption of ultra-processed foods. Weight was measured at all consultations and laboratory tests were evaluated at each gestational trimester. Multivariate linear regression was used in the analysis. Results Pregnant women ( n = 42) presented mean total gestational weight gain of 12.02 ± 4.8 kg, 65.8% of them with inadequate weight gain. Daily consumption of ultra-processed foods was 272.37 ± 170.55 kcal. The increase of every 1 kcal in the calorie intake from ultra-processed foods in the third trimester increased glycated hemoglobin by 0.007% (β = 0.007, p = 0.025), raised 1-h postprandial glucose by 0.14 mg/dL (β = 0.143, p = 0.011), and added 0.11 kg to total gestational weight gain (β = 0.11, p = 0.006). Conclusion Ultra-processed food consumption influenced glycemic control and total gestational weight gain in pregnant women with DM.