You’ve recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and you want to know what you can eat. Well, the good news is that other than foods to limit & avoid during pregnancy in general, there really aren’t any foods that are forbidden when you have gestational diabetes. I did put together a gestational diabetes food list for you though. The key is knowing how to put foods together in a way that won’t make your blood sugar spike. A gestational diabetes carb counting diet is typically recommended for women with gestational diabetes.
Creating healthy meals is much easier when you have the right foods in the house. Having healthy foods easily accessible means that you’re less likely to go out to eat, order take-out, or go through a drive-thru on your way home from work. I’m not saying that it’s impossible to eat healthy when you’re at a restaurant, but it’s definitely easier at home.
I’ve put together a gestational diabetes food list. Hopefully this will serve as a starting point for you in coming up with some healthy meal ideas that work for you (and your gestational diabetes). If you’re in a hurry and want a printable gestational diabetes food list to take with you, you can download one here.
Printable Gestational Diabetes Food List
Protein Foods (includes both animal and plant-based proteins)
- Lean ground beef
- Lean ground turkey
- Lean beef or pork steaks
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Frozen turkey breast (NOT DELI TURKEY!)
- Rotisserie chicken (skin removed)
- Shrimp (stay within weekly limits for fish)
- Salmon (stay within weekly limits for fish)
- Canned light tuna, packed in water (stay within weekly limits for fish)
- Eggs (or egg whites)
- Cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt (choose lower sugar varieties)
- Parmesan cheese crisps
- Lowfat cheeses (make sure everything is pasteurized)
- Hummus
- Tofu
- Lentils
- Peanut butter (or other nut butters)
- Powdered peanut butter
- Beans
- Roasted broad bean snacks
- Veggie burgers
Grains & Starchy Vegetables
- Whole wheat bread
- Whole wheat pasta
- Whole wheat crackers
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Graham crackers
- Pretzels
- Potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Peas, green
- Winter squash (acorn, butternut)
Non-Starchy Vegetables
- Artichokes (or artichoke hearts)
- Asparagus
- Beans (green)
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Squash (zucchini, summer)
- Tomatoes
- Water chestnuts
Fruits
- Apple
- Applesauce (unsweetened)
- Banana
- Berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Kiwi
- Nectarine
- Orange
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
Dairy
- Milk (preferably skim/nonfat or alternative milks)
- Yogurt (choose lower sugar varieties)
- Lowfat cheeses (make sure everything is pasteurized)
Fats
- Avocados
- Nuts
- Peanut butter (or other nut butters)
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
Keep in mind that the foods that count as carbohydrate servings in a gestational diabetes carb counting diet are grains/starchy vegetables, fruits, and dairy. Use this list as a guide to help you create healthy meals that work for you.
Don’t forget to download your printable gestational diabetes food list so you’ll have it with you at the store!
Printable Gestational Diabetes Food List
well im 29 and some days pregnant and I just found out I have gestational diabetes. im trying to eat more healthier … so I can stay at a healthy weight. I haven’t gained any weight since I got pregnant.. but I am overweight.
Pregnant with baby #2 my oldest is 4 and I ate and drank the sugary stuff with him along with French fries and wasn’t diagnosed then . I had preeclampsia at 29weeks and he was delivered via c section. Now with this one I barely eat and drink the sugary stuff and I have been diagnosed with GD at 13weeks. Looking for help in finding the proper foods and drinks .
Hi Michelle!
Here’s a post I wrote about a carb-counting diet, which is the standard recommendation for women with gestational diabetes. Hopefully, you’ll find it helpful. Also remember to use your blood sugar readings as a guide for what works for YOU. https://knockedupnoshing.com/3-rules-for-eating-carbs-with-gestational-diabetes/