Nutrition per 100g
Grains & Cereal › Bread and Baked Goods
Rice Paper for Gestational Diabetes
Rice paper wrappers are thin, translucent sheets made from a steamed batter of rice flour, water, and salt, sometimes with tapioca starch added for chewiness. Originating from Vietnamese cuisine, they are most famously used to make fresh summer rolls (gỏi cuốn). These wrappers are naturally gluten-free and contain virtually no fat or protein, serving primarily as a carbohydrate-based vessel for other ingredients. Their neutral flavor makes them incredibly versatile for a wide range of savory and even sweet applications, providing structure without overpowering the fillings.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
SafeBlood sugar impact
highCarbs / 100 g
82.3gIs Rice Paper safe with gestational diabetes?
Rice paper wrappers are made from refined white rice flour, which gives them a very high glycemic index. This means they are digested quickly and can cause a rapid and significant spike in blood sugar levels if not managed with extreme care. Because they lack fiber, fat, and protein, there is nothing to slow down this carbohydrate absorption. For gestational diabetes management, rice paper should be viewed as a high-risk food that requires strict portioning and strategic pairing to be included safely in a meal.
How does Rice Paper affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
The high glycemic index of rice paper, often estimated to be above 80, poses a significant challenge for blood glucose control. The refined starch is rapidly converted into glucose upon digestion, leading to a sharp post-meal blood sugar increase. Unlike whole grains, rice paper offers negligible fiber to buffer this effect. Consuming even a moderate amount without proper pairings can easily push blood sugar levels outside of the target range, making it a food to approach with significant caution and planning during pregnancy.
What is a safe portion of Rice Paper for gestational diabetes?
Strict portion control is non-negotiable; limit your serving to one or, at most, two wrappers per meal. The primary goal is to use the wrapper as a minimal container for a nutrient-dense filling. Think of the meal as a large salad of protein and vegetables that happens to be held together by a thin rice paper sheet. This mindset helps ensure the carbohydrate load remains low while maximizing intake of blood-sugar-stabilizing nutrients from the fillings.
How should I combine Rice Paper to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
To mitigate the high glycemic impact, it is absolutely essential to pair rice paper with ample amounts of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Fill each wrapper with lean protein sources like grilled chicken, shrimp, or firm tofu. Add a large volume of non-starchy vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, and shredded carrots to increase fiber content. Including a healthy fat source like avocado slices inside the roll or a peanut-free, tahini-based dipping sauce can further help to slow down glucose absorption.
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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