Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum — glycemic index and gestational diabetes guide

Allergen Information

May contain: Legumes

Nutrition per 100g

Calories200 kcal
Carbohydrates85g
of which Sugars1g
Fiber78g
Protein5g
Fat0.5g
of which Saturated0g
Sodium50mg
Glycemic Index5

Grains & CerealFiber Supplements

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum for Gestational Diabetes

Blood Sugar RegulationSoluble FiberPrebiotic

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) is a unique soluble fiber derived from the guar bean. Unlike traditional guar gum, which is a powerful thickener, PHGG undergoes a controlled enzymatic process that breaks it down into smaller units, allowing it to dissolve completely clear and grit-free in liquids without altering texture. This makes it an incredibly versatile and tasteless supplement for boosting fiber intake. As a prebiotic, it selectively feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, promoting a healthy microbiome. Its primary uses are for improving digestive regularity, managing blood sugar, and enhancing satiety.

At a glance

Pregnancy safety

Safe

Blood sugar impact

low

Carbs / 100 g

85g

Is Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum safe with gestational diabetes?

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum is an excellent and highly recommended supplement for managing gestational diabetes. As a soluble, prebiotic fiber, its primary benefit is its ability to help regulate blood sugar levels effectively and gently. It works by slowing down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates from meals, which prevents sharp, rapid spikes in glucose after eating. This makes it a powerful tool for improving post-meal blood sugar control without requiring complex dietary changes. Furthermore, it supports overall gut health, which is intrinsically linked to metabolic stability during pregnancy.

How does Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum affect blood sugar during pregnancy?

The impact of PHGG on blood sugar is significant and beneficial due to its mechanism of action in the digestive tract. When consumed with a meal, this soluble fiber mixes with food and forms a gel-like substance, slowing the rate at which the stomach empties. This process delays the enzymatic breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars and moderates their absorption into the bloodstream. The result is a lower, more gradual rise in blood glucose, reducing the meal's overall glycemic impact. This effect helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, a key goal in gestational diabetes management.

What is a safe portion of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum for gestational diabetes?

For gestational diabetes management, it is crucial to start with a low dose and increase gradually. Begin with half a teaspoon, approximately 2 to 3 grams, once a day with a meal to assess your tolerance. You can slowly increase this to a full teaspoon, which is about 5 grams, with one or two of your main meals. Do not exceed the recommended daily amount without consulting your healthcare provider. Always mix the powder thoroughly into a sufficient amount of liquid or soft food to ensure it is fully dissolved before consumption.

How should I combine Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?

PHGG is not a food that requires pairing but rather a supplement to enhance meals, particularly those containing carbohydrates. The best strategy is to add it directly to your meal or a beverage consumed with it. For instance, stir a serving into a bowl of oatmeal, a portion of yogurt with fruit, or a smoothie to blunt the glucose response. You can also simply dissolve it in a glass of water and drink it just before or during your meal. This practice effectively lowers the glycemic load of your entire food intake, supporting better blood sugar stability.

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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