How should pregnant women with poor pancreatic function adjust their diet?
Generally, mothers with poor pancreatic function should adjust their diet by focusing on quantifying staple food intake and combining coarse and fine grains, increasing dietary fiber intake, choosing high-quality proteins, controlling carbohydrate intake, and ensuring sufficient supply of vitamins and trace elements. Specific recommendations are as follows:
1. Focus on quantifying staple food intake and combining coarse and fine grains
Mothers should control their staple food intake and choose low-glycemic-index foods such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oats. These coarse grains release sugar slowly, helping maintain stable blood glucose levels. Additionally, the dietary fiber in coarse grains enhances satiety and reduces total calorie intake.
2. Increase dietary fiber intake
Dietary fiber helps reduce the glycemic index of foods. Mothers should consume more fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. These foods not only provide essential nutrients but also promote intestinal motility and improve pancreatic function.
3. Choose high-quality proteins
Mothers should select low-fat or low-saturated-fat high-quality protein sources such as fish, legumes and soy products, beef, and low-fat milk. These foods meet the body's protein needs without increasing the risk of dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.
4. Control carbohydrate intake
Mothers should reduce consumption of high-sugar and high-starch foods such as desserts, carbonated beverages, white steamed buns, and white porridge. These foods rapidly elevate blood glucose levels and burden the pancreas. Instead, choose low-sugar, high-fiber carbohydrate sources such as whole wheat bread and brown rice.
5. Ensure sufficient supply of vitamins and trace elements
Vitamins B1 and B2 participate in carbohydrate metabolism, zinc contributes to the synthesis of various enzymes and proteins, and chromium, as an insulin factor, enhances insulin sensitivity. Mothers should eat more foods rich in these nutrients, such as meat, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, to maintain normal pancreatic function.
These measures help improve pancreatic function, control blood glucose levels, and ensure maternal and infant health.