50 Healthy Snacks with Gestational Diabetes (Below 15g Carb)
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Check out my complete list of 50 low-carb snacks with gestational diabetes, all under 15g carb!
Navigating snack cravings with gestational diabetes, especially when you are still hungry after a main meal, can be challenging.
My cravings were sky-high during third trimester, and satisfying them while keeping my blood sugar in check became a daily balancing act.
I’d often find myself sitting in front of the fridge, staring at all the snacks, trying to figure out what to munch on next.
With this list of healthy snacks with gestational diabetes, you’ll find satisfying, nutrient-rich options that keep cravings in check, offer protein for satiety, and make snack time a treat, not a challenge.
Check out: Quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert ideas for gestational diabetes.
Prefer grab-and-go store-bought snacks instead? You will be interested in these 42 low-carb packaged snacks for gestational diabetes.
Importance of Smart Snacking
- Maintains Steady Blood Sugar Levels: Smart snacks help stabilize blood glucose between meals, preventing spikes and dips that can leave you feeling tired or hungry again too soon.
- Protein and Fiber Power: Including protein-rich snacks with gestational diabetes along with fiber-packed options from fruits, veggies, and whole grains, slows down digestion. This combination helps you feel full longer and prevents rapid sugar release into the bloodstream.
- Boosts Energy Levels: Nutrient-dense snacks keep you fueled and energized throughout the day.
- Curbs Cravings: Gestational diabetes often limits sugary treats, making cravings intense. Choosing flavorful, satisfying snacks helps satisfy cravings without spiking blood sugar.
- Promotes Long-Lasting Satiety: Balanced snacks with protein, fiber, and healthy fats help prevent frequent hunger, so you’re less likely to reach for extra calories between meals.
Ideal Macro Ratio
How many carbs should a gestational diabetic snack have?
Aim for around 15 grams of carbohydrates—just enough for that perfect energy boost without spiking blood sugar.
Not sure what a 15g carb serving looks like?
No prob! This picture has all the info you need!
Timing for Snacks
When to eat snacks with gestational diabetes?
The goal is to maintain balanced blood sugar levels throughout the day, preventing both high and low blood sugar spikes. Here are some ideal times to snack:
- Between Meals (Mid-Morning or Mid-Afternoon): Aim for 2-3 hours after a main meal.
- Before or After Exercise: Have a snack 30-60 minutes before or after exercise to help regulate your blood sugar and provide enough energy for the workout.
- Before Bed: A bedtime snack 30-60 minutes before sleep can help keep your blood sugar levels steady overnight.
- In Response to Hunger: It’s important to listen to your body’s hunger cues. Having a healthy snack prepared and ready ensures you’re not reaching for something that will cause a blood sugar spike.
50 Ideas of Snacks with Gestational Diabetes
What snacks can you eat with gestational diabetes?
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup roasted edamame with a sprinkle of sea salt
- 1/4 cup guacamole with 5 bell pepper strips
- 1/4 cup hummus with 5 celery sticks
- 5 mini bell peppers filled with 1/4 cup Greek yogurt ranch dip
- 5 cucumber rounds with 1/4 avocado, mashed, and a sprinkle of hemp seeds
- 5 cherry tomatoes with 1 oz feta cheese and fresh basil
- 1/4 cup salsa with 5 baked tortilla chips
- 5 cucumber slices with 1 oz smoked salmon and 1 tbsp cream cheese
- 1/2 cup roasted cauliflower bites with 2 tbsp tzatziki sauce
- 5 olives with 5 mini dill pickles
Fruits
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese with a sprinkle of cinnamon and 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with a few raspberries and 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup guacamole with 1/2 apple slices for dipping
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with 1 tbsp sunflower seeds and diced strawberries
- 1 tbsp almond butter with 1/2 small apple, sliced
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese with a few blackberries and a dash of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1/4 cup peach slices and pumpkin spice
- 1 tbsp almond butter on 1/2 small pear, sliced
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with a few blueberries and 1 tbsp chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup low-fat whipped cream with 1/4 cup fresh berries
Animal Protein
- 2 oz beef jerky with 5 baby carrots
- 2 oz tuna with 1 tbsp Greek yogurt and celery, served on 3 cucumber rounds
- 3 turkey meatballs with 1 tbsp marinara sauce for dipping
- 1 oz smoked salmon with 5 cucumber slices and 1 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 hard-boiled egg with a dash of paprika and 5 cherry tomatoes
- 1 small turkey burger patty with 1/4 avocado, mashed
- 2 oz chicken breast with 2 tbsp salsa and 5 bell pepper strips
- 1/2 cup shrimp cocktail (3 oz shrimp with 2 tbsp cocktail sauce)
- 3 slices turkey wrapped around 1 string cheese
- 3 oz grilled beef strips with 5 cherry tomatoes
Nuts and Seeds
- 1/4 cup almonds with 5 carrot sticks
- 1 tbsp almond butter in 3 celery sticks, sprinkled with 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp peanut butter on 5 apple slices
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1 tbsp chia seeds and a few blackberries
- 1/8 cup mixed nuts with 5 cucumber rounds
- 1 oz walnut halves with a few carrot sticks
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 1 tbsp chopped pistachios and 1/4 cup berries
- 2 tbsp tahini as a dip for sliced cucumber or celery sticks
- 1/8 cup granola with 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 oz pecans with a sprinkle of cinnamon
Whole Grains
- 3 whole-grain crackers with 2 tbsp cottage cheese and black pepper
- 1/2 cup air-popped, unsalted popcorn with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast
- 1 slice whole-wheat toast with 1/4 avocado, mashed
- 5 baked tortilla chips with 1/4 cup guacamole
- 2-3 whole-grain pretzels with a thin layer of Greek yogurt-based dip
- 1/4 cup overnight oats with a few sliced strawberries
- 3-4 whole-grain rice cakes topped with a thin spread of almond butter
- 1/2 whole-grain pita with 1 tbsp guacamole or mashed avocado
- 1 oz granola with 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) with 5 almonds
(BONUS +7) High-Protein Beverages
- Protein Shake: 1 scoop protein powder (whey, casein, or plant-based) mixed with 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or water.
- Greek Yogurt Smoothie: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt blended with 1/2 cup spinach, 1/2 small banana, and water or unsweetened almond milk.
- Chocolate Milk: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk with 1 tbsp cocoa powder and a scoop of protein powder mixed in.
- Nut Butter Protein Shake: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 tbsp natural peanut butter, and 1 scoop of protein powder blended together.
- Soy Milk: 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, which typically contains around 7-10g of protein.
- Chocolate Avocado Smoothie: Blend 1/2 ripe avocado, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1 scoop protein powder for a creamy drink.
- Chia Seed Protein Drink: Mix 1 tbsp chia seeds in 1 cup unsweetened almond milk with 1 scoop protein powder and let sit for 10 minutes before drinking.
Check out: Quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert ideas for gestational diabetes.
Tips for Snack Prepping
If you don’t know me, I had GDM during my second pregnancy while juggling the care of my older daughter. Time was definitely not on my side, but here’s how I managed to snack smartly despite my busy schedule.
- Prep in Batches: Set aside a little time each week to wash, chop, and portion out snack ingredients. Think sliced veggies, pre-portioned nuts, or yogurt cups.
- Invest in Snack-Sized Containers: Small containers or reusable snack bags are perfect for things like guacamole or hummus. Plus, they’re great for packing in your work bag, car, or even the stroller.
- Freeze What You Can: Some snacks, like smoothie bags, homemade energy bites, or even portions of nuts, freeze well.
- Keep “Emergency” Snacks in Reach: Stock a few shelf-stable options like beef jerky, low-sugar granola bars, or a small pack of nuts in places you frequent—think your car, work bag, desk drawer, bedside, or even the diaper bag.
- Incorporate Seasonal Ingredients: Adding in-season produce keeps your snacks fresh, tasty, and nutrient-dense. In the summer, go for berries or cucumber sticks. In fall, try apple slices or roasted pumpkin seeds. Winter is great for citrus, while spring offers fresh strawberries and asparagus.
- Pair Carbs, Protein, and Fats: Always aim to balance carbs, protein, and fat for longer-lasting energy. Try apple slices with peanut butter or Greek yogurt with nuts.
- Label Your Portions: Labeling pre-portioned containers with their macros can save time and help you stay on target effortlessly.
- Plan for Variety: A mix of sweet (Greek yogurt with berries) and savory (hummus with veggie sticks) options can keep your taste buds happy and prevent snack fatigue.
Prefer grab-and-go store-bought snacks instead? You will be interested in these 42 low-carb packaged snacks for gestational diabetes.
Tips for Managing Cravings
Managing cravings was tough for me! I’m a big fan of McDonald’s fries (GI = 75), but with one medium serving hitting 50g of carbs—three times the recommended amount—letting them go wasn’t easy. Here’s how I managed the transition.
- Stay Ahead with Balanced Meals: If your main meals are satisfying, you’re way less likely to crave sugary or carb-heavy snacks later.
- Gradually Transition to Healthier Options: Instead of cutting out your usual snacks all at once, start with one swap at a time or combine old favorites with new options. I started with half French fries and half zucchini fries, then gradually cut down from there.
- Hydrate First: Often, thirst is mistaken for hunger or cravings. Try drinking a glass of water when a craving hits.
- Reach for Protein-Packed Snacks: Protein helps keep hunger at bay and stabilizes blood sugar. Like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or nuts.
- Indulge a Little (Mindfully!): Allow yourself a small portion of what you’re craving. Indulging in a controlled way helps prevent feelings of restriction—and can stop cravings from growing stronger.
- Distract Yourself: Sometimes cravings hit out of boredom or habit, especially in the afternoon or evening. Take a quick walk, call a friend, or dive into a hobby you enjoy (not a very productive idea, but mine was computer games).
- Opt for Healthier Alternatives: When a craving strikes, look for a healthy swap. Craving chips? Try crunchy kale chips. Miss Oreos? Dark Chocolate-Dipped Almonds. And frozen chocolate milk for ice cream.
- Don’t Skip Meals: Skipping meals can actually make cravings worse by causing blood sugar to dip and then spike later.
- Get Enough Sleep: Lack of sleep messes with hunger hormones, making you more prone to cravings, especially for carbs and sugar.
- Practice Mindful Eating: Eating slowly and with intention makes it easier to enjoy the flavor and feel satisfied with a smaller amount.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Is popcorn ok for gestational diabetes?
Yes, air-popped and unsalted popcorn is fine in moderation. It’s a whole grain and provides fiber, but stick to 1 cup per serving.
What crisps can I eat with gestational diabetes?
Opt for baked vegetable chips, kale chips, or chickpea/lentil crisps. These are lower in carbs and can be a healthier alternative to regular potato chips.
What biscuits can I eat with gestational diabetes?
Choose whole grain, high-fiber biscuits or homemade options made with almond or coconut flour. Avoid those with added sugar or refined flour.
What kind of crackers are good for gestational diabetes?
Go for whole-grain, seed-based, or almond flour crackers. Look for options without added sugars or unhealthy oils.
Store-bought snacks for gestational diabetes:
Good options include Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars, Breyer’s CarbSmart ice cream, Fairlife protein shake / milk, SkinnyPop popcorn, Quest Mini protein bars / cookies, and Blue Diamond almonds. Always check labels for added sugars and carbs.
Conclusion
I was always hungry, and those cravings hit HARD—especially during my pregnancy!
But these smart snack choices were my lifesaver. They kept me satisfied without spiking my blood sugar.
If you’re dealing with similar cravings, I highly recommend grabbing my Low Glycemic Index Food List, the most complete one you’ll ever find Google-wide!
It features 650+ foods, including vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, dairy, seasonings, sweeteners, and even common foods.
This list will help you make smarter snack choices and better manage your cravings while keeping your blood sugar in check.
Stay fueled and satisfied with the right options!
