Do Dietitians Recommend Too Much Carbohydrate? A Cross‐Sectional Survey of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Dietary Advice: A Patient Perspective

BACKGROUND: Medical nutrition therapy is first-line treatment for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). The high popularity of low carbohydrate diets may impact on the acceptability of the diet recommended by dietitians for management of GDM. AIMS: This study assessed the experience of women prescribed the Standardised Gestational Diabetes (SGD) diet (45%-50%, 25%-30%, 15%-20% from carbohydrate, fat and protein, respectively). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of women with GDM was undertaken to collect viewpoints on the SGD diet. Pregnant women with pre-gestational diabetes, twins, non-English speakers and women with no or limited English literacy were excluded. Standard care was provided to all participants. The survey was offered at least one week after an individual dietitian review appointment. RESULTS: A total of 135 women completed the survey. The majority perceived the SGD diet carbohydrate amounts and distribution as 'about right'-79.3% (n = 107) and 72.6% (n = 98), respectively. Only 3.7% (n = 5) perceived the advised carbohydrate amount as 'too much' or 'far too much'. Conversely, a considerable proportion reported that they were advised to reduce their intake and to increase meal-snack frequency compared to their usual diet-62.9% (n = 85) and 43.7% (n = 59), respectively. Women reported high rates of diet compliance, with 70.4% (n = 95) 'often' or 'always' following the diet, despite 48.2% (n = 65) reporting the diet being 'challenging' or 'very challenging' to follow. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the popularity of low carbohydrate diets in the general population, our cohort of women with GDM perceived the amount and frequency of carbohydrate intake recommended by dietitians as 'about right'.