Meal programs for maternal health
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops for the first time during pregnancy.
It can develop when the changes experienced during pregnancy cause the body to use insulin less effectively or when the body is unable to make and use all the insulin it needs during pregnancy. Both of these causes lead to excess sugar in the bloodstream, which poses risks for the expectant parent and baby.
The impact
According to the American Diabetes Association, almost 1 in 10 pregnancies in the US are affected by gestational diabetes, equating to over 300,000 pregnancies each year!
The most common complications for the parent are high blood pressure during pregnancy and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. According to the CDC, about 50% of people who experience gestational diabetes during pregnancy go on to develop type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of complications for the baby, including excessive birth weight, preterm birth, and an increased risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
The prescription
While these complications are concerning, many studies have found that gestational diabetes responds well to changes in lifestyle.
The dietary advice for people suffering from gestational diabetes is clear: eat regularly, prioritize vegetables, fruit and lean protein, and avoid carbohydrate-rich foods.
Studies have also found that diabetes remission is more successful if attempted early on in the disease lifecycle, so the leading medical advice is for expectant parents to act quickly to start a healthy diet and exercise regime.
Breaking down barriers
As simple as that sounds, the prescription can be hard to fill. The two most common barriers noted by patients and practitioners are:
how difficult it is to learn and follow a new diet during the stress of a high-risk pregnancy
the financial burden of switching to a healthier diet.
We designed the RxDiet platform to remove these barriers by:
Providing simple and delicious recipes that people love to cook
Tailoring meal plans to each member’s medical needs and delivering groceries direct to their door to take the mental load out of implementing a new diet
Creating meal combinations and sensible substitutions that make healthy eating as affordable as the alternative
For health plan providers, offering meal plan benefits or meal plan subsidies during pregnancy can be a shrewd investment. The average cost of providing healthy meals during the last six months of pregnancy is $2,400, while a lifetime of diabetes treatment can cost up to 100x that amount!
Want to learn more about our maternal health offerings? Contact us today or subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about how personalized meals can improve member health and reduce costs.