Nutrition per 100g
Fruits & Vegetables › Starchy Veggies and Roots
Arrowroot for Gestational Diabetes
Arrowroot is a starch extracted from the rootstock of several tropical plants, most notably Maranta arundinacea. It is a fine, white powder that is prized in cooking as a gluten-free thickener for sauces, gravies, and desserts. Unlike cornstarch, it creates a perfectly clear, glossy gel and has a neutral flavor that won't alter the taste of your dish. It is also known for being very easily digestible, making it a popular ingredient in foods for infants and those with sensitive digestive systems. Its thickening power is about twice that of wheat flour.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
SafeBlood sugar impact
highCarbs / 100 g
88.2gIs Arrowroot safe with gestational diabetes?
Arrowroot powder is a refined starch with a very high glycemic index, making it a food to use with extreme caution for gestational diabetes management. While it is natural and gluten-free, its carbohydrate structure is simple and rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. This can lead to a sharp and significant increase in blood glucose levels if not managed carefully. It should not be considered a staple carbohydrate source but rather a minor culinary ingredient used in very small quantities within an otherwise balanced meal.
How does Arrowroot affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
With a glycemic index (GI) of approximately 85, arrowroot is considered a high-GI food, similar to glucose itself. This means it is digested and converted to sugar very quickly, posing a significant risk for blood sugar spikes. Unlike the whole arrowroot vegetable, the powdered starch has most of its fiber removed, which is what would normally slow down digestion. The cooking process, where it is heated in liquid, makes the starch even more readily available for absorption, amplifying its impact on blood sugar levels.
What is a safe portion of Arrowroot for gestational diabetes?
Strict portion control is critical. Limit use to no more than one tablespoon of arrowroot powder for an entire multi-serving recipe, such as a family-sized stew or sauce. When this small amount is distributed across several portions, the carbohydrate load per serving becomes minimal. This dilution is key to safely incorporating it without causing a significant blood sugar event. Always prioritize using it to enhance meals built around lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables rather than carbohydrate-centric dishes.
How should I combine Arrowroot to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
Due to its high glycemic impact, arrowroot must be used within a meal rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber to blunt its effect. For instance, using a small amount to thicken a chicken and vegetable stew is a safer strategy than using it in a sugary fruit pie filling. The protein from the chicken and fiber from the vegetables will slow down the overall digestion of the meal, mitigating the rapid glucose release from the arrowroot. Avoid using it in dishes that are already high in carbohydrates or sugar.
Last reviewed: August 31, 2026
Important Safety Information
Every pregnancy is different, and gestational diabetes is managed differently depending on your readings, your medication and how far along you are. The ratings and portions on this page are general information — not a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a medical device — and they cannot see your results.
- Low blood sugar:
- If you take insulin or diabetes medication, eating less carbohydrate than your team planned for can push your blood sugar too low. Treat a reading below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), or symptoms such as shaking, sweating, confusion or a racing heart, with fast-acting carbohydrate immediately and retest after 15 minutes. Never use this page as a reason to skip or shrink a meal you were told to eat.
- Carbohydrate and ketones:
- Cutting carbohydrate hard to force a number down is not safe in pregnancy — it can produce ketones. Published guidance sets a minimum of 175 g of carbohydrate per day in pregnancy. Readings that stay above target for several days need your care team, not a smaller portion.
- Medication and insulin:
- The portions here are generic and know nothing about your insulin doses, your metformin, or the steroids given to mature your baby's lungs — all of which change how a meal affects you. Never adjust a dose or a mealtime based on this page.
- Food safety in pregnancy:
- Blood sugar is not the only thing that makes a food suitable while you are pregnant. Some foods with excellent glycemic numbers still carry mercury, vitamin A, listeria or alcohol risks, and those are judged separately from the ratings shown here. Check your national pregnancy food-safety guidance before adding an unfamiliar food.
- What these ratings can and cannot tell you:
- Glycemic index values, impact ratings and maximum servings are population averages taken from published tables. Two people eating the same food can get very different readings, so your own meter is the only measurement that describes you. Nutrition figures are indicative per 100 g and vary with brand, ripeness and preparation.
Contact your care team the same day if: your readings stay above target for several days; you have a reading below 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) or needed someone else's help to treat a low; you test positive for ketones; or your baby is moving less than usual. Seek emergency care for confusion, fainting, repeated vomiting, or a low you cannot bring back up.
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Sources & Editorial Review
Content independently developed by Dalo Labs ApS, informed by the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care in Diabetes, ACOG's gestational diabetes guidelines, and the IADPSG consensus criteria. Not endorsed by or affiliated with any referenced organization. · Last reviewed: August 2026
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