If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and are wondering what to eat or where to even start, you’re in the right place!
I’ve put together loads of helpful resources—diet tips, recipes, tried-and-tested food recommendations, and even shopping lists. Scroll down to find links that will guide you through everything and make meal planning a little bit easier.
The Gestational Diabetes UK Diet
The Gestational Diabetes UK Diet is all about eating fewer carbs, getting plenty of protein, and enjoying healthy fats. We’ve found this way of eating works best for keeping blood sugar levels stable.
Below is the Gestational Diabetes UK Diet Leaflet, which you can download for free:
Gestational diabetes diet
Following extensive research, alongside lived experience of high insulin resistance in gestational diabetes, I created Gestational Diabetes UK and the 8 Golden Rules.
Example meal plan
Here is a one day example meal plan to help you get started
Drinks on a gestational diabetes diet
Staying well hydrated is very important during pregnancy and even more so if you have diabetes. Here you can learn more about suitable drinks
Shopping List
Check out this post for free downloadable shopping lists
Gestational diabetes diet on a budget
The cost of living is high, so many are looking for ways to follow a GD diet on a budget. Check out this post for 15 frugal tips
Meal Ideas
Thinking of suitable meal ideas can sometimes be tricky when faced with a new diet. Below are many links to meal ideas to help you hit the ground running with what to eat.
Gestational diabetes breakfast
Breakfast ideas
Gestational diabetes snacks
Snack ideas
Gestational diabetes lunch
Lunch ideas
Gestational diabetes meals
Main meal ideas
Gestational diabetes desserts
Dessert & sweet treat ideas
Takeaways
Takeaways & eating out ideas
Gestational diabetes recipes
I create recipes based on the Gestational Diabetes UK diet. All my recipes can be found in the recipe index below, where you can filter the results based on your needs. You can filter for specific dietary requirements, recipe types and allergens.
Recipe Index
This is the full Gestational Diabetes UK Recipe Index. Please use the filters or search function to find recipes to suit
Supermarket shopping made simple! I’ve rounded up the most popular brands and products so you can quickly see what’s best to eat—no more guessing or staring at labels for hours.
Best breads
The best bread for gestational diabetes [updated for 2024]
Yogurts
The best yogurts for gestational diabetes
Breakfast cereal – GD kryptonite!
Breakfast cereal AKA ‘GD kryptonite!’ This posts shares the best ways to make cereal tolerable with cereal being one of the biggest foods that people struggle to tolerate
Chocolate with gestational diabetes
Yes, you can eat chocolate with GD! You just need to know a few hints and tips. Find out more here
Nuts, seeds, peanut butter
Nuts and seeds are a great source of protein and natural fats, meaning they can be great for a GD diet. Check out this post for the best ones
Ice cream
Some ice creams are better than others, check out this post to find which ones are better tolerated by many
Sweeteners in pregnancy
Learn about the different types of sweeteners available and which are the best to choose
Special dietary requirements
If you have other dietary needs, adapting to a gestational diabetes diet can feel tricky. I’ve put together some links to help you find foods that work for both your specific requirements and a GD-friendly plan.
Gluten-Free Gestational Diabetes Diet
If you have coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, you may be wondering if you can follow a gluten-free gestational diabetes diet without added complications.
Slimming world and gestational diabetes
Is Slimming World compatible with a gestational diabetes diet? Find out more here
Iron tablets and Anaemia
How do you increase vitamin C in order to take iron supplements when following a gestational diabetes diet?
Constipation
Unfortunately constipation can be a common problem during pregnancy but many of the typical remedies are not suitable when trying to control blood sugar levels. Use this post to find GD-friendly remedies
Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Gestational diabetes
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG or severe sickness in pregnancy) can make following a specific diet extremely hard. Learn more about this here
Seasonal posts and celebrations
Throughout the year, food is at the heart of so many special occasions. The posts below show how you can still enjoy these moments without spiking your blood sugar, packed with ideas for what to eat.
Gestational Diabetes Baby Shower
Everything you need to know about holding a Gestational Diabetes Baby Shower
Gestational diabetes party food
Gestational diabetes party food
Chinese New Year
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year means lots of delicious food, but on this post we share some great lower-carb recipes
Pancake Day
Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday with lots of lower-carb pancake ideas and recipes
Valentine’s Day ♥
Ideas for a GD-friendly Valentine’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day
Check out these great ideas for enjoying a GD-friendly Mothering Sunday
Ramadan and gestational diabetes
This post is to provide information and support around fasting for Ramadan and gestational diabetes pregnancy
Easter
Gestational Diabetes Easter
Halloween
Is the thought of all those Halloween sweets filling you with dread and turning into a real nightmare? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Happy St Andrew’s Day
Happy St Andrew’s Day! Check out this post for some delicious low-carb Scottish recipes
Gestational Diabetes Christmas
The Ultimate Gestational Diabetes Christmas Guide
This post just scratches the surface of what is available to read and learn on Gestational Diabetes UK!
Wondering what to eat with gestational diabetes? Check out our posts here and on Instagram for tips, hacks, and meal ideas to keep your blood sugar steady. Use the search bar or drop-down menu to start exploring!
Examples of some of the infographics you can find on my Instagram:
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