Review of dietary approaches for treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the most common medical disorder during pregnancy and has severe and long-lasting implications both for the mother and child. Nearly 10% of all United States pregnant females develop GDM. Dietary therapy is first line treatment and should be initiated as soon as GDM is diagnosed, however, consensus on specific dietary recommendations has not yet been achieved and nutrition counseling may vary widely from practice to practice. This systematic literature review encompasses novel supplement-based treatments (e.g. supplementation of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals) and traditional diets (e.g. Glycemic Index Diet or Low Carbohydrate Diet) as well as evaluates the evidence for their application.