Time restricted eating to treat gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses major health risks to a pregnant woman and the fetus. It has been proven that the reduction of glucose levels in GDM reduces pregnancy complication risks. Dietary advice is the first step in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus, but there is little knowledge about the optimal dietary treatment. Time restricted eating (TRE) is the reduction of the eating period to a consistent daily 4-12 hr period. The rationale is that with appropriately timed TRE, the periods of food intake and fasting are synchronized with the rhythm of the circadian timing system, and thereby the functioning of the circadian tissue clocks is improved. Several studies indicate that TRE is a promising new approach in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. To date however TRE has not been investigated in pregnant women.

We hypothesize that TRE improves insulin sensitivity, glucose values, and consequently neonatal and maternal outcomes in GDM, via strengthening of clock gene expression rhythms.

Admission, 4 weeks after admission and the last visit before expected delivery date

All participants will receive standard care according to the current guidelines. The women in the TRE group will get the additional advice to restrict the daily period of food intake to a self-chosen 11- hr period. After 2 weeks they will further restrict food intake to a self-chosen 10-hr period.