Gestational diabetes (GD) is one of the most common complications during pregnancy. It occurs when hormonal changes make your body less responsive to insulin, and the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to compensate. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels. GD typically develops in the second trimester and can lead to complications such as high birth weight, preterm labor, and the development of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Fortunately, in most cases, it can be well managed with nutrition and lifestyle interventions, including a carbohydrate-conscious and balanced diet. Even when medication is needed, sticking with a balanced diet full of protein, fat, and fiber can help regulate blood sugar levels and support your and your baby’s health. It’s important to prioritize low-glycemic foods, healthy fats, proteins, and fiber-rich options to reduce the risk of complications.
Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes does not mean bland and boring meals. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of some delicious and simple gestational diabetes-friendly recipes so you can enjoy delicious meals while maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Remember, everyone’s blood sugar will respond differently to different meals. These meals are a great starting place, but be sure to test your blood sugar and adjust portions and meals accordingly.
8 Recipes for Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy
Managing gestational diabetes may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Monitoring your blood sugar levels and eating meals with adequate protein and fats will go a long way. The Prenatal Nutrition Library Feel Good Gestational Diabetes program will give you all the details so you can put your mind at ease about eating with GD.
In this post, we’ll discuss some foods to prioritize when managing GD and some helpful recipes that you’ll love. These foods tend to have a lesser impact on raising blood sugar levels and provide vital nutrients like fiber, protein, and healthy fats, which are essential for both of you during pregnancy.
What Can You Eat With Gestational Diabetes?
Lower glycemic index (GI) foods provide a slower, steadier release of glucose into the bloodstream. These are great choices to prioritize when managing gestational diabetes (GD) as they help support more stable blood sugar levels.
Below are some food groups to include in your diet, along with their approximate carbohydrate content per serving:
- Proteins (chicken, turkey, eggs, beef): ~0g carbs per serving
Protein helps keep you full and supports healthy blood sugar levels without raising glucose on its own. - Non-starchy vegetables and leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli, zucchini): ~5–10g carbs per serving
These are high in fiber and low in carbs, making them great blood sugar-friendly choices. - Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, oats – in moderation): ~15–25g carbs per serving
Choose minimally processed whole grains and pair them with protein and/or fat for better blood sugar control. - Nuts and seeds (almonds, chia seeds, flaxseeds): ~5g carbs per serving
A good source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber to help slow digestion and stabilize glucose levels. - Legumes (beans, lentils – in moderation): ~20–25g carbs per serving
Though higher in carbs, their fiber and protein content help blunt blood sugar spikes when eaten in balanced portions. - Dairy (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese): ~8–12g carbs per serving
Opt for plain, unsweetened versions to avoid added sugars. These also provide protein and calcium. - Low-glycemic fruits (berries, apples, pears): ~15–20g carbs per serving
Choose whole fruits (not juices) and pair them with a fat or protein for more stable blood sugar responses.
8 Gestational Diabetes Recipes
Here are some recipes that incorporate foods recommended for managing gestational diabetes. These meals are easy to create, nutritious, safe, and yummy. I can guarantee that some of these recipes will be repeated!
Shredded Chicken Salad with Avocado and Quinoa
This salad is a perfect meal for managing blood sugar. The shredded chicken provides protein, while quinoa adds a healthy, fiber-rich whole grain. The avocado is packed with healthy fats and adds a creaminess to the salad. The balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats helps prevent blood sugar spikes and provides steady energy throughout the day. I’d encourage increasing the portion of shredded chicken a bit more to boost the protein count!
Lentil and Vegetable Stew
This stew uses lentils as the base, packed with fiber. Vegetables like carrots, celery, and tomatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, while spices like turmeric and cumin provide extra flavor and possible health benefits. Lentils are a low-glycemic food and provide slow-releasing carbs that help keep blood sugar levels in check. Pair a portion with a protein like steak, fish, or chicken to make a well-balanced meal.
Salmon with Asparagus and Sweet Potato
This dish features omega-3 rich salmon, which supports both heart and brain health, paired with antioxidant rich asparagus and a serving of roasted sweet potatoes. It’s a delicious, balanced meal full of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. The combination of all of these things helps to promote more stable blood sugar levels.
Low-Carb Stir Fry
This stir-fry includes ground chicken and non-starchy vegetables. Colorful vegetables offer benefits to our overall health and well-being. There’s also an array of flavors from the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and scallions. It’s a low carbohydrate and high protein meal to promote a balanced blood sugar response.
Raspberry Chia Pudding Parfait
This is a perfect snack or breakfast option. Layer a blended chia seed pudding with a delicious homemade raspberry sauce. This parfait is packed with antioxidants, omega-3s, and fiber, making it both delicious and good for you. To further boost the protein content, consider adding in some plain Greek yogurt.
Zucchini Noodles with Meatballs
Zucchini noodles (or zoodles) are a low-carbohydrate pasta swap option. With this recipe, you swap out traditional pasta for spiralized zucchini and top it with Italian sausage meatballs. Finish it off with a no-sugar-added marinara sauce, or make your own. Italian sausage is packed with protein and is safe to eat during pregnancy when fully cooked.
Stuffed Bell Peppers with Cauliflower Rice and Ground Beef
Enjoy flavorsome peppers filled with a savory mix of seasoned ground beef, cauliflower rice, black beans, and mozzarella cheese. You get flavor, fiber, and protein all in one delicious bowl. The cauliflower rice keeps it lower in carbs, while the bell peppers are rich in vitamin C. It’s a super-easy meal to meal prep, too!
Egg Muffins with Spinach, Tomato, and Feta
You can whip up a dozen of these at a time and have easy breakfasts ready for the week. Eggs are great for pregnancy (especially when working on blood sugar control), and the combo of veggies and a bit of feta makes them delicious. This meal offers protein, is lower in carbs, is freezer-friendly, and can be completely customized with your favorite veggies.
You can enjoy eating during pregnancy, even with gestational diabetes!
Managing gestational diabetes doesn’t have to mean eating boring food (or even giving up your favorite foods altogether!). Minor tweaks and adjustments can go a long way towards promoting healthy blood sugar levels throughout your pregnancy. The recipes above are packed with some of the essential nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy and are balanced with protein, fiber, and fat to support better blood sugar control.
Whether you’re looking for the best snacks for gestational diabetes or searching for a comprehensive program to help you navigate nutrition for gestational diabetes, I’ve got you covered! Join The Prenatal Nutrition Library app today and check out The Feel Good GD Program inside!
