Nutrition per 100g
Fruits & Vegetables › Vegetables
Zucchini for Gestational Diabetes
Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a summer squash that is botanically a fruit but treated as a vegetable in culinary contexts. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture that makes it incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Its high water content and low calorie profile make it a popular choice for healthy eating plans. Zucchini is rich in several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium, and contains beneficial antioxidants. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in a wide variety of dishes, from simple sautés to baked goods.
At a glance
Pregnancy safety
SafeBlood sugar impact
lowCarbs / 100 g
3.1gIs Zucchini safe with gestational diabetes?
Zucchini is an excellent vegetable for managing gestational diabetes due to its very low carbohydrate and calorie content. Its high water and fiber content contribute to feelings of fullness, helping to manage appetite without causing spikes in blood glucose. As a non-starchy vegetable, it can be incorporated liberally into meals to add bulk, nutrients, and variety. This makes it a safe and beneficial component of a balanced, blood-sugar-conscious diet during pregnancy, supporting both maternal health and stable glucose levels.
How does Zucchini affect blood sugar during pregnancy?
With a very low glycemic index of around 15, zucchini has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels. The small amount of carbohydrates it contains is paired with fiber, which slows down glucose absorption into the bloodstream. Cooking methods like steaming, grilling, or roasting do not significantly alter its glycemic properties. However, breading and frying zucchini will add carbohydrates and fats, increasing its overall glycemic load and calorie count, so these preparation methods should be avoided for optimal blood sugar control.
What is a safe portion of Zucchini for gestational diabetes?
Due to its low carbohydrate content, portion sizes for zucchini can be generous without negatively impacting blood sugar. A typical serving could be one small to medium zucchini, or about one to one and a half cups when sliced or chopped. There is no strict maximum serving from a glycemic standpoint, so focus on using it to build a balanced plate. The key is to be mindful of the fats and carbohydrates you pair it with, rather than limiting the zucchini itself.
How should I combine Zucchini to manage blood sugar during pregnancy?
To create a balanced and blood-sugar-friendly meal, pair zucchini with lean protein sources and healthy fats. For example, serve grilled zucchini alongside chicken breast, fish, or tofu to promote satiety and further blunt any glucose response. Drizzling it with olive oil or serving it with avocado adds healthy fats that slow digestion. Using spiralized zucchini as a base for a meat or lentil sauce is a fantastic strategy to replace high-carb pasta, significantly reducing the meal's overall glycemic impact while boosting vegetable intake.
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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