What Food to Avoid with Gestational Diabetes?

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gestational diabetes affects 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the United States every year. Managing your diet is critical to controlling blood sugar levels, which means understanding what food to avoid with gestational diabetes is essential for a healthy pregnancy and a smooth delivery.

Quick Summary

A guide detailing the foods and drinks to avoid or limit when diagnosed with gestational diabetes. It focuses on how to manage blood sugar by restricting high-sugar, refined carbohydrate, and unhealthy fat sources. This resource provides actionable information for making healthy dietary choices during pregnancy.

Key Points

Avoid Sugary Drinks: Skip sodas, juices, and sweetened teas, which cause fast and sharp spikes in blood sugar.
Cut Refined Carbohydrates: Eliminate white bread, white rice, and high-GI cereals in favor of whole-grain options to slow glucose absorption.
Beware of Hidden Sugars: Watch for added sugars in processed snacks, fast foods, and many condiments like ketchup.
Steer Clear of High-Risk Foods: For overall pregnancy safety, avoid raw seafood, unpasteurized cheeses, and deli meats.
Balance Meals with Protein and Fiber: Pair healthy carbohydrates with lean protein and high-fiber vegetables to help regulate blood glucose levels.

Understanding Gestational Diabetes and Your Diet

Gestational diabetes is a condition where high blood sugar levels develop during pregnancy in women who did not previously have diabetes. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can interfere with the body's ability to use insulin effectively, leading to insulin resistance and elevated glucose levels. A well-managed diet is the first line of defense to keep blood sugar within a safe range, protecting both the mother and the developing baby. The primary goal is to minimize foods that cause rapid and significant spikes in blood glucose.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

High-sugar foods and drinks provide empty calories and can cause blood sugar levels to spike dramatically.

Sugary drinks: This includes sodas, fruit juices (even those with 'no added sugar'), cordials, and sweetened teas or coffees. These liquids flood the bloodstream with sugar almost instantly.
Baked goods and desserts: Cakes, cookies, pastries, doughnuts, and ice cream are laden with refined sugar and unhealthy fats. These should be avoided or consumed in very small, infrequent portions.
Candy and sweets: Hard candies, chocolate bars, and other confections are pure sugar and offer no nutritional value. Sugar-free varieties may contain sugar alcohols that can have a laxative effect.
Syrups and honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, and honey are concentrated sources of sugar that can impact blood glucose just as much as table sugar.

Refined Grains and Starchy Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates are stripped of fiber and nutrients during processing, causing them to be digested quickly and lead to a rapid rise in blood sugar. It is important to swap these out for high-fiber, whole-grain alternatives.

White bread and white flour products: Standard white bread, bagels, crackers, and many breakfast cereals are made from refined flour.
White rice and white pasta: These are high-starch foods with a high glycemic index that quickly elevate blood sugar.
Fried potatoes: French fries and chips are not only high in unhealthy fats but also high-GI starches that should be avoided.

Processed and Fast Foods

Many processed and fast foods contain hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and high levels of sodium, all of which are detrimental to managing gestational diabetes.

Convenience meals and takeaways: These often contain surprising amounts of sugar, salt, and fat. Always check nutritional information when possible.
Processed meats: Deli meats and sausages can be high in sodium and saturated fat, which can affect blood pressure.
Certain condiments: Dressings, ketchup, and marinades can be stealthy sources of added sugar.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid for Pregnancy Health

Beyond blood sugar control, there are standard pregnancy food safety guidelines to follow, as a compromised immune system can increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Unpasteurized dairy and soft cheeses: Items like brie, feta, and unpasteurized milk can carry bacteria like Listeria.
Raw or undercooked meats, seafood, and eggs: To avoid infections like salmonella, all animal products should be cooked thoroughly.
High-mercury fish: Limit fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.
Alcohol: There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, and it should be avoided completely.

Comparison of High-GI vs. Low-GI Carbohydrates

Understanding the glycemic index (GI) is key to managing gestational diabetes. High-GI carbohydrates break down quickly, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar, while low-GI foods release energy slowly.


High-GI Foods to Avoid	Low-GI Alternatives to Choose
White bread, bagels, croissants	Wholegrain, seeded bread, sourdough
White rice, instant oats, instant noodles	Brown rice, basmati rice, quinoa, rolled oats
White potatoes (especially fried)	Sweet potatoes, new potatoes, butternut squash
Most breakfast cereals (e.g., cornflakes)	High-fiber, sugar-free muesli or plain porridge
Fruit juice, sugary drinks	Water (plain or flavored with fruit), herbal teas

Making Healthy Swaps for Better Control

Instead of fruit juice, choose a small portion of whole fruit like berries or an apple, which contain fiber that slows down sugar absorption.
Instead of sweetened yogurt, opt for plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt and add your own fresh fruit or nuts.
Instead of a candy bar, try an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter for a balance of protein, healthy fat, and carbohydrates.
Instead of fried food, bake, grill, or roast lean proteins and vegetables.
Instead of high-sugar condiments, use herbs, spices, lemon juice, or vinegar to add flavor to your meals.

Conclusion: A Proactive Approach to Your Diet

Successfully managing gestational diabetes centers on proactive dietary choices and consistent monitoring. Avoiding highly refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, processed snacks, and certain risky foods is vital for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Focusing on nutrient-dense foods like lean protein, high-fiber vegetables, and low-GI carbohydrates helps support both your health and your baby's development. Regular blood sugar checks are crucial for understanding how different foods affect your body. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to develop a personalized meal plan, as individual needs can vary. With a mindful approach to eating, you can confidently navigate gestational diabetes and ensure the healthiest possible outcome for your pregnancy.

MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine, offers extensive information on gestational diabetes diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should avoid most sugary breakfast cereals, including refined ones like cornflakes and high-sugar muesli. Instead, choose low-GI options such as plain rolled oats or high-bran cereals.

Yes, but you should stick to whole fruits rather than juice and eat them in moderation. Whole fruits contain fiber, which slows down sugar absorption. Berries, apples, and pears are good low-GI choices.

Not necessarily. While they contain no sugar, many 'sugar-free' products contain sugar alcohols like sorbitol or xylitol, which can still affect blood sugar and may have a laxative effect. It's best to check the label for total carbohydrates and consult your dietitian.

Instead of eliminating carbs entirely, focus on portion control and choosing low-GI, high-fiber carbohydrates like brown rice, sweet potatoes, and whole grains. Spreading your carb intake evenly across meals can also help manage blood sugar.

Fast food and processed items are often high in hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium, making them poor choices for managing blood glucose. It is best to avoid them or, if necessary, make mindful choices by asking about ingredients.

A healthy snack can satisfy a craving without spiking your blood sugar. Try pairing a small piece of fruit with a protein source, like an apple with peanut butter or a handful of nuts.

No, healthy fats are important for your and your baby's development. You should, however, limit saturated fats from sources like bacon and butter, and focus on healthy fats from nuts, avocado, and olive oil.