Gestational diabetes & diabetes in pregnancy
A systematic review on the role of diet in managing pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy
Authors' conclusion
Diet quality appears more important than specific macronutrient targets and individualised dietitian led care is essential.
Study context
- Population
- Women with pre-existing diabetes during pre-conception and pregnancy26 studies · 10 countries
- Outcome
- Dietary components, supplements and dietary patterns
Methodological detailsrandom-effects meta-analysis, GRADE assessment, Risk of bias assessed with ROB-2, ROBINS-E and ROBINS-I-V2
- Random-effects meta-analysis
- GRADE assessment
- Risk of bias assessed with ROB-2, ROBINS-E and ROBINS-I-V2
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
- Higher diet quality (more vegetables, fruits, plant-based proteins, nuts, fish; less processed foods) associated with improved glycaemic outcomes
- Low-glycaemic index and DASH dietary patterns, and carbohydrate counting showed potential benefits
- Evidence for low carbohydrate and high-fibre diets was mixed
- Associations with gestational weight gain, pre-eclampsia and neonatal outcomes were inconsistent
Further pooled results
Neural tube defect risk with pre-conception folic acid supplementation (meta-analysis)
- Pre-conception folic acid supplementation suggested to reduce neural tube defect risk
- Certainty of evidence very low (GRADE)
Original publication
A systematic review on the role of diet in managing pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 3 July 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →