Allergen Information
May contain: Sulphites
Nutrition per 100g
Fruits & Vegetables › Dried Fruits
Dried Sultanas for Gestational Diabetes
Sultanas are a type of dried grape, specifically from pale green, seedless varieties. The drying process concentrates their natural sugars, resulting in a very sweet, chewy, and energy-dense fruit. They are a popular ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes, providing bursts of sweetness and a pleasant texture. While they offer some fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, their high sugar content is a significant nutritional factor to consider. They are often used in baking, trail mixes, and as a topping for cereals and yogurts.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
SafeBlood sugar impact
highCarbs / 100 g
79.2gIs Dried Sultanas safe with gestational diabetes?
Dried sultanas are not recommended for individuals with gestational diabetes due to their highly concentrated sugar content and high glycemic index. The drying process removes water, leaving behind a dense source of simple carbohydrates that can be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Consuming sultanas, even in small amounts, poses a significant risk of causing a sharp and rapid increase in blood glucose levels. Therefore, they should be treated with extreme caution and generally avoided in favor of low-glycemic fresh fruits.
How does Dried Sultanas affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
With a glycemic index of around 65, sultanas fall into the medium-to-high GI category, meaning they cause a relatively fast spike in blood sugar after consumption. The sugars are primarily fructose and glucose, which are quickly absorbed. Unlike fresh grapes, the concentration of these sugars is very high, providing a large glycemic load in a small volume. This makes blood sugar management very challenging, as even a small handful can deliver a significant sugar hit that is difficult to control.
What is a safe portion of Dried Sultanas for gestational diabetes?
Portion control is absolutely critical when considering sultanas. A maximum serving should not exceed one level tablespoon, which is a very small amount used more as a sparse garnish than an ingredient. This tiny portion size is necessary to limit the substantial sugar load that sultanas carry. It is far safer to opt for a small serving of fresh, low-GI berries, which provide more volume and fiber for fewer carbohydrates and a gentler effect on blood sugar.
How should I combine Dried Sultanas to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
If sultanas are to be consumed at all, they must be strictly portioned and paired strategically to mitigate their glycemic impact. A very small quantity, such as a single teaspoon, should be combined with foods rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. For example, stirring a few sultanas into a bowl of full-fat Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of chia seeds or almonds can help slow down sugar absorption. This pairing strategy blunts the overall glycemic response, but careful monitoring of blood sugar levels is still essential.
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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