Pregnancy safety
Lemongrass is only safe in pregnancy if it is prepared the right way
Only in culinary amounts used to flavour a dish. Skip lemongrass tea, infusions and lemongrass essential oil while pregnant.
Lemongrass is concentrated in citral, which is reported to have emmenagogue (uterine-stimulating) activity, so tea- and oil-strength preparations are cautioned in pregnancy even though a stalk used to flavour a curry is not.
This is about food safety in pregnancy, not blood sugar — it applies whatever your readings look like. Confirm it with your midwife or doctor.
Nutrition per 100g
Lemongrass for Gestational Diabetes
Lemongrass is a fragrant tropical grass widely used in Asian cuisine for its distinct citrusy flavor, reminiscent of lemon but with a milder, sweeter profile. Its scientific name is Cymbopogon citratus, and it's a staple in Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian cooking. Beyond its culinary uses, lemongrass is celebrated in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The stalk contains citral, an essential oil responsible for its aroma and many of its therapeutic effects. It imparts a refreshing and complex flavor to dishes without adding acidity.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
Prepare with careBlood sugar impact
lowCarbs / 100 g
25.3gIs Lemongrass safe with gestational diabetes?
Lemongrass is an excellent choice for a gestational diabetes diet as it provides vibrant flavor without adding carbohydrates, sugar, or calories. This allows you to create delicious and satisfying meals while maintaining strict blood glucose control. Its aromatic qualities can enhance savory dishes, reducing the need for sugary sauces or high-sodium seasonings. Keep it to culinary amounts, though: lemongrass tea, infusions and lemongrass essential oil are concentrated in citral, which can stimulate the uterus, so those preparations are left alone while you are pregnant. Used to flavor your cooking, it is an effective way to diversify your palate during pregnancy.
How does Lemongrass affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
With a very low glycemic index and negligible sugar content, lemongrass has virtually no impact on blood sugar levels. It can be used freely to flavor foods without the risk of causing a glucose spike. Cooking methods do not alter its glycemic properties, making it a reliable ingredient whether it's simmered in a soup or used fresh in a marinade. Incorporating lemongrass allows you to replace high-glycemic flavorings, such as sweetened marinades or sauces, helping you adhere to your dietary plan more easily. This makes it a powerful tool for maintaining stable blood sugar throughout the day.
What is a safe portion of Lemongrass for gestational diabetes?
Since lemongrass is used as a flavoring agent rather than a primary ingredient, portion control is not a significant concern for blood sugar management. A typical culinary amount, such as one or two stalks used to flavor a large pot of soup or a family-sized marinade, is perfectly acceptable. You do not need to weigh or measure it for glycemic impact. The established gram limit is a technicality for the database; what matters in pregnancy is the form rather than the weight, so a stalk simmered in a curry is fine while a cup of lemongrass tea is not. Within cooked dishes, use it to taste without worrying about overconsumption affecting your glucose levels.
How should I combine Lemongrass to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
Lemongrass is incredibly versatile for creating blood-sugar-friendly meals. Pair it with lean proteins by using it as a key ingredient in a marinade for grilled chicken, fish, or tofu. The citrusy notes complement the protein without needing added sugar. Simmer whole, bruised stalks in a clear broth with vegetables and a source of protein for a nourishing, low-carb soup. For a healthy fat pairing, infuse coconut milk with lemongrass and ginger to create a base for a mild curry served with non-starchy vegetables. This strategy ensures a balanced meal that is both flavorful and metabolically sound.
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.
By using this guide, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
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
Track your meals with SugarCurve
Log this food, track your blood sugar, and get personalized guidance — all in the app.
Start Free Trial →