Effect of low glycemic load diet with and without wheat bran on glucose control in gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized trial

BACKGROUND: A low-glycemic index diet is effective in blood glucose control of diabetic subjects, reduces insulin requirement in women with gestation diabetes mellitus (GDM) and improves pregnancy outcomes when used from beginning of the second trimester. However there are limited reports to examine the effect of low glycemic load (LGL) diet and fiber on blood glucose control and insulin requirement of women with GDM. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of low glycemic load diet with and without fiber on reducing the number of women with GDM requiring insulin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All GDM women (n = 31) were randomly allocated to consume either a LGL diet with Fiber or LGL diet. RESULTS: We found that 7 (38.9%) of 18 women with GDM in Fiber group and 10 (76.9%) in “Without Fiber” group required insulin treatment. CONCLUSION: The LGL diet with added fiber for women with GDM dramatically reduced the number needing for insulin treatment.