Pregnancy safety
Shrimp Paste is only safe in pregnancy if it is prepared the right way
Only if cooked into the dish until it is piping hot — do not eat raw fermented shrimp paste straight from the jar.
Shrimp paste is salt-cured and fermented rather than cooked, so like other uncooked ready-to-eat seafood it can carry listeria, which in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or serious newborn illness.
This is about food safety in pregnancy, not blood sugar — it applies whatever your readings look like. Confirm it with your midwife or doctor.
Allergen Information
Contains: Shellfish
May contain: Fish, Soy
Nutrition per 100g
Herbs & Spices › Condiments and Broths
Shrimp Paste for Gestational Diabetes
Shrimp paste is a fundamental ingredient in many Southeast Asian cuisines, prized for its deep, savory umami flavor and pungent aroma. It is made from fermented, salt-cured ground shrimp, which develops a complex taste profile over time. While its smell can be intense when raw, it mellows upon cooking, adding an irreplaceable depth to dishes. It is used in very small quantities as a flavor base rather than a main component. This condiment is essential for authentic curries, sauces, and stir-fries.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
Prepare with careBlood sugar impact
lowCarbs / 100 g
2.1gIs Shrimp Paste safe with gestational diabetes?
Shrimp paste is an excellent choice for adding robust flavor to meals without impacting blood sugar, making it suitable for a gestational diabetes diet. Its primary benefit is providing a savory taste without any added sugars or significant carbohydrates. However, its extremely high sodium content is a major consideration. Excessive sodium can contribute to elevated blood pressure and fluid retention, which are already concerns during pregnancy. Therefore, it must be used in strict moderation to enhance food, not as a primary salt source.
How does Shrimp Paste affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
The impact of shrimp paste on blood sugar levels is negligible, classifying it as a very low glycemic impact food. With a glycemic index of virtually zero, it is composed mainly of protein and salt, with almost no carbohydrates. This means it will not cause a spike in blood glucose when consumed. You can use it to season vegetables, lean proteins, and other complex carbohydrates without worrying about its effect on your glucose readings. Its role is strictly for flavor, not for nutritional bulk.
What is a safe portion of Shrimp Paste for gestational diabetes?
A very small portion is key to using shrimp paste safely. For a family-sized meal, using one teaspoon or less is typically sufficient. For a single serving, the amount would be a fraction of that, visually equivalent to the size of a small pea. This tiny quantity is enough to impart significant flavor without adding a meaningful carbohydrate load. Adhering to this small portion prevents excessive sodium intake, which is crucial for managing blood pressure and fluid balance during pregnancy.
How should I combine Shrimp Paste to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
Use shrimp paste as a flavor base for dishes rich in fiber and lean protein to create a balanced, blood-sugar-friendly meal. It pairs wonderfully with stir-fried non-starchy vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, and bell peppers, alongside chicken, tofu, or fish. The umami from the paste can make simple, healthy dishes more satisfying, potentially reducing cravings for processed, high-sugar foods. Be mindful to avoid combining it with other high-sodium ingredients like soy sauce or salted nuts to keep total sodium intake in check.
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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