September 20/London/British Medical Journal-- A new Irish study suggests pregnant women should avoid foods that spike blood sugar levels in order to reduce the risks of gaining too much weight.

Published in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal, the study found that 48% of women who stuck with their usual diets while pregnant gained more weight than recommended. However, only 38% of women who switched to a diet of low-glycemic foods gained too much weight.

According to MyHealthNewsDaily, the Institute of Medicine recommends that women of normal weight gain about 11-13.5kg during pregnancy.

In the study, the average weight gain among women who remained on their usual diet was 13.7kg. Among women who changed to a low-glycemic index diet, weight gain was 27 pounds (12.2kg).

While it may not seem like much, researchers warn this extra weight can spell trouble for moms-to-be. “This type of excessive weight gain during pregnancy is associated with an increased need for delivery by Caesarean section, a higher likelihood of post pregnancy weight retention, and a higher predisposition to obesity in later life,” said researcher Dr. Fionnuala McAuliffe of the UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, and the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin. The study involved more than 800 women treated at National Maternity Hospital in Dublin.