Allergen Information
Contains: Tree Nuts
Nutrition per 100g
Nuts, Seeds & Butters › Whole Nuts
Hazelnuts for Gestational Diabetes
Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are nutrient-dense nuts with a rich, slightly sweet, and buttery flavor. They are an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health, as well as providing significant amounts of protein and dietary fiber. Furthermore, hazelnuts are packed with antioxidants, vitamin E, magnesium, and copper, contributing to reduced inflammation and improved overall cellular health. Their versatile profile makes them a valuable addition to a balanced diet, supporting everything from cardiovascular function to blood sugar management. They can be enjoyed raw, roasted, or ground into a meal or butter for various culinary uses.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
SafeBlood sugar impact
lowCarbs / 100 g
16.7gIs Hazelnuts safe with gestational diabetes?
Hazelnuts are an outstanding choice for managing gestational diabetes due to their nutritional profile. They are very low in carbohydrates and have a minimal glycemic index, meaning they do not cause significant spikes in blood glucose levels. Their high content of healthy fats, fiber, and protein works synergistically to promote stable blood sugar. These nutrients slow down digestion and the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. Incorporating hazelnuts as a snack can help maintain energy levels and satiety between meals without compromising glycemic control, making them a safe and beneficial food.
How does Hazelnuts affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
The impact of hazelnuts on blood sugar is exceptionally low and, in fact, beneficial for stabilization. The combination of nearly 10 grams of fiber and 61 grams of fat per 100g serving dramatically slows carbohydrate absorption. This blunts the glycemic response of any meal or snack they are part of. Roasting hazelnuts does not negatively alter their glycemic properties. Their inherent low sugar and carbohydrate content makes them a reliable food for preventing the sharp glucose peaks and subsequent crashes that need to be carefully managed during pregnancy.
What is a safe portion of Hazelnuts for gestational diabetes?
A proper portion of hazelnuts is crucial for balancing nutrient intake with calorie management. A recommended serving is about a small, closed handful, which is a visually simple and effective measure. This amount provides sufficient protein, fiber, and healthy fats to aid in satiety and blood sugar regulation without contributing excessive calories. Sticking to this portion ensures you reap the benefits of hazelnuts without undermining weight management goals, which is an important aspect of a healthy gestational diabetes care plan. Always measure your portion instead of eating directly from a larger container.
How should I combine Hazelnuts to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
To maximize the blood-sugar-stabilizing benefits of hazelnuts, pair them strategically with other foods. Combine a small handful of hazelnuts with a carbohydrate source like a small apple or a few berries; the nuts' fat and fiber will buffer the fruit's natural sugars. Crushed hazelnuts are an excellent topping for full-fat Greek yogurt, adding texture, satiety, and healthy fats. Avoid pairing them with high-sugar items like milk chocolate or sweetened spreads, which would counteract their positive effects. Instead, use them to add substance to salads or steamed vegetables.
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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