Nutrition per 100g
Grains & Cereal › Bread and Baked Goods
Rice Paper (Softened) for Gestational Diabetes
Rice paper wrappers are thin, translucent sheets made from a steamed batter of rice flour, water, and salt. Primarily used in Vietnamese cuisine to make fresh summer rolls (gỏi cuốn), they have a neutral flavor and a uniquely soft, chewy texture when rehydrated. These wrappers serve as a delicate, edible container for a variety of fresh ingredients. Their light nature makes them a popular choice for appetizers and light meals, offering a gluten-free alternative to wheat-based wrappers. They provide structure without overpowering the flavors of the fillings.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
SafeBlood sugar impact
highCarbs / 100 g
82.5gIs Rice Paper (Softened) safe with gestational diabetes?
Rice paper wrappers are made from refined white rice flour, giving them a very high glycemic index (GI) and making them a food to approach with caution for gestational diabetes management. They contain simple carbohydrates that are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream with minimal fiber to slow digestion. While they are low in calories and fat, their potential to cause a sharp increase in blood sugar is significant. Careful portion control and strategic pairing are absolutely essential to include them safely in your diet.
How does Rice Paper (Softened) affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
The high GI of rice paper means it can cause a rapid and significant spike in blood glucose levels shortly after consumption. The refining process strips the rice of its bran and fiber, leaving behind pure starch that the body converts to sugar very quickly. Unlike other grains, there is no cooking method that can lower its glycemic impact, as it is simply rehydrated. The primary way to manage its effect is by controlling the portion size of the wrapper and, more importantly, the composition of its fillings.
What is a safe portion of Rice Paper (Softened) for gestational diabetes?
Strict portion control is non-negotiable. Limit your serving to one or, at most, two small summer rolls per meal. The fillings should be the star of the show, with the wrapper acting only as a thin container. Visually, the roll should be packed with protein and vegetables, making the wrapper a very small component of the total volume. Avoid dipping sauces high in sugar, such as sweet chili or hoisin sauce, opting for tamari or a nut-free satay sauce instead.
How should I combine Rice Paper (Softened) to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
To mitigate the blood sugar spike from rice paper, pairing is critical. Fill the wrappers generously with sources of lean protein like shredded chicken, cooked shrimp, or firm tofu. Incorporate a large volume of non-starchy, high-fiber vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, and thinly sliced carrots. Adding a source of healthy fat, like a small amount of avocado or a sugar-free dipping sauce made with tahini, will further slow down carbohydrate absorption and help stabilize blood glucose levels.
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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