Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes diet basics
Three meals and 2 to 3 snacks, with carbs spread through the day. Your care team sets your glucose targets.
Half the plateNon-starchy vegetables
A quarterLean protein
A quarterQuality carbs- 175 gCarbs, at least, per day
- 71 gProtein, at least, per day
- 28 gFiber, at least, per day
Three sample days
What a day can look like
- Breakfast24 g carbs
Eggs, whole-wheat toast and avocado
Egg, 2 large · Whole-wheat bread, 1 slice · Avocado, ¼ cup · Strawberries, ½ cup - Snack18 g carbs
Greek yogurt, raspberries and almonds
Greek yogurt, 1 container · Raspberries, ½ cup · Almonds, ½ oz - Lunch49 g carbs
Chicken, quinoa and chickpea salad
Chicken breast, 3 oz · Quinoa, ¾ cup · Chickpeas, ¼ cup · Romaine, 2 cups · Tomato, 1 medium · Olive oil, 1 Tbsp - Snack27 g carbs
Apple with peanut butter
Apple, 1 medium · Peanut butter, 1 Tbsp - Dinner55 g carbs
Salmon, sweet potato and broccoli
Salmon, 4 oz · Sweet potato, 1 medium · Broccoli, 1 cup · Black beans, ½ cup · Olive oil, 1 tsp - Bedtime snack19 g carbs
Cottage cheese and whole-wheat toast
Cottage cheese, ½ cup · Whole-wheat bread, 1 slice
Day total 2,018 calories
- Carbs192 g of 175 g min
- Protein138 g of 71 g min
- Fiber45.3 g of 28 g min
Totals from USDA FoodData Central. Every day meets each target minimum shown.
Spread the carbs
ACOG suggests three meals and two to three snacks a day, including a snack at night. ADA suggests a lighter breakfast, 30 g of carbs or less.
Not too low
ADA advises at least 175 g of carbs a day, and does not recommend keto or paleo-style diets in pregnancy.
Work with your care team
A registered dietitian can fit carb amounts to your glucose readings and appetite. These days are examples, not a prescription.
Keep going
In the Alma app
Pregnancy nutrition, set up for you.
- Choose Pregnancy nutrition as your goal.
- Alma turns calorie counting off by default and applies pregnancy nutrient targets.
- Caffeine starts at a 200 mg daily default.
- Alma’s coach never suggests fasting or a calorie deficit.
Questions
What people ask
How many carbs a day with gestational diabetes?
ADA advises at least 175 g of carbohydrate a day in pregnancy, along with 71 g of protein and 28 g of fiber. ACOG’s older guidance puts carbs at 33% to 40% of calories. Sources differ, so your care team and a dietitian set the amount for you.
What snacks help with gestational diabetes?
Snacks that pair a carb with protein or fat, like apple with peanut butter or yogurt with berries, are common choices. ACOG includes a snack at night.
Is keto okay with gestational diabetes?
ADA does not recommend ketogenic or paleo-style diets during pregnancy.
Sources
Written by Alma from the primary sources below and reviewed November 13, 2026. ADA (175 g a day) and ACOG (33% to 40% of calories) frame carbs differently; this page shows the ADA minimum and leaves the amount to your care team. Day totals are computed from USDA FoodData Central. This is general information, not medical advice. Your care team knows your pregnancy, so check questions with them. Editorial standards
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes 2025, Section 15: Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy
- American Diabetes Association. Using the Diabetes Plate with Gestational Diabetes and After Delivery (2024)
- ACOG. Gestational Diabetes (patient FAQ)
- ACOG Practice Bulletin 190. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (2018)
- National Academies. Dietary Reference Intakes: Macronutrients and water (summary table)
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (amounts per serving computed from per-100 g values)
Eat well for two, without the guesswork.
Alma logs meals by photo, voice or text and tracks carbs, protein and fiber. For gestational diabetes, its meal plan keeps meals and snacks through the day and leaves fasting out.