79 Easy and Delicious Gestational Diabetes Dinner Ideas
Coming up with gestational diabetes dinner ideas can be exhausting – and that doesn’t even take the cooking into consideration! But keeping blood glucose levels steady through movement, a healthy diet (that focuses on protein, fiber, and healthy fats), and keeping stress levels down are all very important of GD diabetes. We’ll focus on how food can help blood sugar levels here, but know that blood sugar goes beyond food!
If you just received a gestational diabetes diagnosis, be sure to check out my gestational diabetes meal plan sample for a lot more in-depth info (and what you can expect), gestational diabetes diet breakfast ideas, and of course, gestational diabetes snack ideas.
Ok, let’s get to the easy and healthy gestational diabetes recipes! You’ll find a variety of proteins and mains with suggestions for how to swap out some ingredients (if you need to!) for a lower-carb or whole grain options, and a bunch of non-starchy vegetables and green salads that make great side dishes. Most of these recipes include nutrition facts estimates to help you plan your meals, simply click through to each recipe and you’ll find the nutrition facts below the recipe card.
Disclaimer: This article and the gestational diabetes dinner ideas are just that – IDEAS to help you navigate! As always, run everything by your Doctor and/or Dietitian. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to cut out all carbs, but check with your Doctor and Dietitian team for specific carb counts.
Chicken and Turkey Dinner Ideas for Gestational Diabetes
Here you’ll find plenty of lean protein dinner ideas featuring weeknight-friendly chicken and turkey recipes.
Quinoa Veggie Salad with Peanut Dressing
This quinoa veggie salad with peanut dressing is vibrant, crunchy, and bursting with bold flavor. Bright, colorful, and so delicious.
Healthy Ground Turkey Meatloaf
This easy turkey meatloaf recipe is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor! Made with simple ingredients, it’s the perfect healthy comfort food.
Easy Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
This easy chicken taco soup recipe is everything you want in a weeknight dinner. It’s flavorful, filling, easy, nutritious, and delicious.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
This easy crockpot salsa chicken will become a weeknight staple – just 2 minutes to prep! Use in tacos, salads, burrito bowls, and more!
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
This delicious and healthy sheet pan sausage and veggies is the perfect weeknight dinner or meal prep lunch. Everything cooks on one pan!
Best Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Whip up this easy rotisserie chicken salad recipe for a delicious and nutritious meal you can prep ahead or take on the go. Ready in 10 min!
Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowls
These chicken shawarma bowls are loaded with bold flavor, spiced chicken, fresh veggies, and a creamy white sauce. Delicious, healthy dinner!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This delicious chicken Caesar pasta salad is packed with juicy chicken, crisp romaine, chewy pasta, and creamy homemade Caesar dressing.
Juicy Grilled Chicken Thighs
These grilled chicken thighs are tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The simple marinade is perfect for summer cookouts or weeknight dinners!
Easy Ground Turkey Stir Fry
The whole family will love this ground turkey stir-fry recipe! Ready in less than 30 minutes, it’s packed with protein, produce, and flavor! Serve over cauliflower rice if you need to.
Crispy Baked Quesadillas
These baked quesadillas are our new favorite. The tortillas get golden brown and crispy and with the melty cheese, it’s a great combo. Swap out the tortillas for almond flour or low carb tortillas if you need to.
Southwest Salad Recipe
Are you ready for a fresh and modern Southwest salad recipe? The Southwest vibes are there, but in an unexpected way. You’re going to love it!
Scrumptious Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
These chicken lettuce wraps quickly became a family favorite! It’s packed with flavor, colorful vegetables and an incredible peanut sauce.
Turkey Burger Sliders Recipe
Upgrade your next BBQ (or family dinner!) with our juicy grilled ground turkey burger sliders recipe! These are perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection. Serve in lettuce wraps if needed.
Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
This buffalo chicken quesadilla recipe is incredibly easy, but has so much flavor with layers of buffalo chicken, sautéed veggies, and plenty of cheese! Swap out tortillas for a low-carb or almond flour tortilla if you need to.
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
This crispy buffalo chicken salad recipe is loaded with crunchy veggies, cooling ranch dressing, and crispy buffalo chicken! Perfect for weeknight meals.
Chicken Fajita Quesadilla Recipe
This chicken fajita quesadilla recipe is a healthy and totally delicious weeknight meal. It’s made w simple ingredients and ready in 30 minutes. Swap out tortillas for a low-carb or almond flour tortilla if you need to.
Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet
This ground turkey taco skillet dinner has all of the cheesy taco flavors you love in a fun, scoop-able meal that the whole family will love. Skip the tortilla chips if you need to and serve with mini orange and red peppers or stuff into lettuce cups.
Crock Pot Pulled Buffalo Chicken Recipe
This EASY shredded buffalo chicken recipe is made with just 4 ingredients + 5 min prep. Turn your pulled buffalo chicken into multiple meals!
15-Minute Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps
These EASY ground turkey lettuce wraps utilize a few smart shortcuts to help you get dinner on the table FAST! Healthy, balanced, and flavorful.
Easy Trader Joe’s Chicken & Vegetable Curry
This Trader Joe’s chicken curry recipe is nutritious, flavorful, and EASY! Use the Trader Joe’s Thai red curry sauce for a flavor shortcut. Serve over brown rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice depending on your own specific needs.
Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
Make this EASY grilled lemon chicken recipe in just 5 min. Plus what NOT to add to lemon garlic grilled chicken!
Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetable Platter
This snack-style meal is made up of chicken, vegetables, bread, tzatziki sauce, olives, and more! It’s delicious and fun.
Best Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Do you know the tips for the BEST grilled drumsticks? This grilled chicken drumsticks recipe is prepped in 5 min + made with pantry staples. Serve with a side below and make some extra for a quick lunch or snack.
Best Greek Grilled Chicken Recipe
This Greek grilled chicken marinade leaves you with JUICY and FLAVORFUL chicken! Serve grilled Greek chicken with a Greek cucumber salad for an easy meal.
In-N-Out Style Turkey Burger Recipe
Serve these In-N-Out Style Turkey Burgers in lettuce wraps. It’s easy to make and FULL of flavor. The turkey burger is topped with caramelized onions and an irresistible special sauce!
Homemade BBQ Turkey Burgers Recipe
Learn how to make turkey burgers at home! BBQ Turkey Burgers are HEALTHY, juicy, + full of flavor. Just 20 min + 4 ingredients for homemade turkey burgers. Serve burgers in lettuce wraps (I like butter lettuce) if necessary.
Spaghetti Squash Turkey Parmesan
Spaghetti squash is stuffed full of healthy, tasty ingredients: ground turkey meat, homemade sauce, fresh arugula, and a sprinkle of Italian cheese. Cozy, filling, and SO satisfying.
Spring Chicken Sauté
Spring Chicken Sauté is a healthy chicken dinner that’s on the table in 20 minutes and happens to be gluten-free and low in carbs!
Summer Chicken Sauté
Summer Chicken Sauté is an easy and healthy chicken dinner recipe that highlights the best-of-summer produce and comes together in 20 minutes!
Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe (Panera Bread Copycat)
You will love this Panera bread turkey chili recipe! It has amazing flavor with a mild spice and smoky flavor and it’s loaded with nutritious ingredients.
Beef and Pork Dinner Ideas for Gestational Diabetes
Here you’ll find easy dinner recipes featuring beef and pork and lots of ground meat since it cooks up so quickly and is often times can be found for a great price.
Easy Big Mac Salad
You’ll love this satisfying Big Mac salad recipe! My burger salad has crunchy iceberg, ground beef, cheddar cheese, and of course, the sauce!
Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Pierogies
This sheet pan kielbasa and pierogies recipe is the easiest way to enjoy delicious and classic Polish flavors. Prep in 10 minutes!
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef
Make tender and flavorful slow cooker shredded beef with this easy recipe! Beef is perfect in sandwiches, tacos, or as a hearty main.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Easy homemade spaghetti and meat sauce recipe – rich, hearty, and flavorful. This meal is perfect for family dinners!
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
This healthy homemade beef and broccoli stir-fry has tender strips of steak and crisp bites of broccoli, all in a deliciously glossy sauce.
Ground Pork Stir-Fry
This easy ground pork stir-fry is loaded with savory flavor and delicious veggies. It’s a 30-minute, one-pan meal, perfect for busy nights.
Thai Lettuce Wraps Recipe with Ground Pork (Larb Recipe)
This thai lettuce wraps recipe (larb recipe) is SO full of flavor + ready in just 15 minutes! Ground pork lettuce wraps are a FRESH + HEALTHY family meal.
Ground Beef and Broccoli
This easy ground beef and broccoli stir fry recipe is quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. Made with simple ingredients.
Easy Taco Salad
This easy taco salad recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes and will satisfy the whole family!
Trader Joe’s Italian Sub Salad
Just 6 ingredients to make this salad that tastes just like a classic Italian sub! Serve with sprouted bread garlic toast.
30-Minute Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe
EASY pepper steak stir fry recipe is ready in 30 minutes! My recipe for pepper steak stir fry is made ingredients you probably already have. Serve over brown rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice depending on your own specific needs.
Grilled Blue Cheese Steak Salad Recipe
EASY grilled steak salad takes just 20 min! Loaded with flavor + sharing tips for how to serve this blue cheese steak salad recipe to the whole family.
Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadilla Recipe
This ground beef quesadilla recipe is the ultimate comfort food with multiple cheesy layers! Made with simple ingredients and ready in 20 minutes, too! Swap out tortillas for a low-carb or almond flour tortilla if you need to.
Trader Joe’s Recipe for Egg Roll in a Bowl
Love egg rolls? This recipe for egg roll in a bowl is for you! Dinner comes together with just 3 TJ’s ingredients + 10 minutes. Serve over brown rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice depending on your own specific needs.
Grilled Kielbasa Foil Packets
Did you know you can grill kielbasa? These grilled kielbasa foil packets take just a few minutes to prep and 5 basic ingredients.
How to Make Chili con Carne
Learn how to make chili con carne! This easy Mexican chili con carne recipe takes just 20 min to prep and then simmers on the stove until the beef is nice + tender.
Easy Homemade Chili – 30 Minutes
Your fall and winter nights NEED this easy homemade chili!
Seafood Dinner Ideas for Gestational Diabetes
Here you’ll find both fish and shrimp recipes that are easy to make – no seafood experience necessary!
Best Baked Panko Salmon
This oven-baked panko salmon is crispy and golden brown on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and packed with flavor.
Simple Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
These grilled shrimp kabobs are simply delicious, easy to make, cook quickly, look beautiful, and are nutritious to boot.
Easy Salmon Caesar Salad
This salmon Caesar salad is a fantastic weeknight dinner that’s delicious and nutritious! Made with simple ingredients + ready in 30 minutes.
Lemon Baked Halibut Recipe
This mouthwatering baked halibut recipe will make you feel like a pro chef! We’re keeping the prep simple to let the natural flavors shine.
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa Recipe
These fish tacos with mango salsa have tender and flaky fish, fresh toppings, and a bright mango salsa! They’re quick, easy, nutritious, and delicious! Swap out the tortillas for almond flour or low carb if necessary.
Crispy Parmesan Baked Cod Recipe
You’ll love this crispy Parmesan baked cod with panko! Its crunchy topping is loaded with flavor and the perfect contrast to flaky, tender fish.
Baked Furikake Salmon Recipe
You won’t believe how delicious this baked furikake salmon recipe is! The flaky fish is topped w/ umami-rich ingredients and a crunchy topping.
Air Fryer Mahi Mahi Recipe
EASY air fryer mahi mahi recipe! Made with just 3 ingredients and can be seasoned so many ways! Cook mahi mahi in air fryer right from frozen.
How to Cook Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer
Learn how to cook frozen salmon in air fryer in just 2 simple steps! This quick meal comes together in less than 15 min – great for weeknights
Blackened Cod Fish Recipe
This blackened cod fish recipe is full of flavor and only made with a handful of ingredients. Serve with a simple side for a nutritious dinner.
Baked Mediterranean Fish Recipe
This Mediterranean baked fish recipe may sound fancy, but it’s easy enough for weeknight dinners. Prep + cook in 20 min. Naturally low in carbs.
Baked Salmon with Dill Sauce Recipe
This baked salmon with dill is elegant enough for entertaining, but easy enough for weeknight dinners! Just 5 min to prep this dill salmon!
Lemon Pepper Shrimp Recipe
This lemon pepper shrimp recipe is sure to become a weeknight dinner fave. It’s full of delicious flavor, ready in 10 min, and made with simple ingredients.
Steamed Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
This EASY old bay steamed shrimp comes together in less than 15 minutes and makes a great appetizer or light meal.
Easy Shrimp Quesadilla Recipe
This FAST and EASY shrimp quesadilla recipe is made with simple ingredients and comes together in just 20 minutes. Let everyone top their own shrimp quesadillas! Swap out tortillas for a low-carb or almond flour tortilla if you need to.
Easy Shrimp Okonomiyaki Recipe
The whole family will love this easy shrimp okonomiyaki recipe (savory shrimp pancakes) that’s served with a lime mayo sauce. Ready in 30!
Dinner Side Dishes for Gestational Diabetes
While many of the gestational dinner ideas above include sides or give suggestions, here you’ll find side dish ideas for your meals.
Kale Salad
This easy kale salad is tender, bright, and packed with flavor. You won’t believe how delicious eating your greens can be!
Easy Haricots Verts Recipe (French Green Beans)
If you are new to haricots verts, prepare to become obsessed! These French green beans are delicious, nutritious, and so versatile.
Greek Cucumber Salad
You’ll love this Greek cucumber tomato salad that’s made with fresh veggies! It’s refreshing, easy-to-make, and made with basic ingredients.
Napa Cabbage Slaw
This napa cabbage slaw has been a favorite for decades! Crunchy, flavorful, and easy to prep, this is the best summer side dish.
Garbanzo Bean Salad Recipe
This healthy garbanzo bean salad is packed with fresh veggies, satisfying garbanzo beans, and a homemade vinaigrette. Easy to prep in 15 min.
Italian Chopped Salad
This Italian chopped salad recipe is loaded with bold flavors, crunchy textures, and a velvety smooth homemade vinaigrette. It’s our house salad!
Bok Choy Stir Fry
This bok choy stir fry recipe is delicious, nutritious, and incredibly easy to make as it’s ready in just 10 minutes. Great dinner side dish.
Easy Cowboy Caviar
This cowboy caviar recipe is simple, delicious, and nutritious! It’s easy (prep in just 15 minutes!), and can be eaten as a dip or salad.
Best Quinoa Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
The BEST quinoa and arugula salad recipe is bright, fresh, + flavorful. The perfect side to a grilled dinner or easy lunch. Ready in 20 min.
Arugula Watermelon Salad with Feta Recipe
This arugula watermelon salad has peppery greens, sweet watermelon, salty feta, and a hint of heat. It’s a fabulous summer salad!
Summer Peach Burrata Salad
EASY summer peach burrata salad is a fresh + savory green salad! Drizzle the peach and burrata salad with a simple homemade dressing.
Easy Greek Potato Salad Recipe with Green Beans
This flavorful Greek potato salad recipe is loaded with flavor thanks to punchy feta cheese, kalamata olives and a shortcut dressing. YUM!
How to Cook Frozen Broccoli (Ultimate Guide to the Best Ways!)
Your guide to how to cook frozen broccoli! I’m going to cover the best way to cook frozen broccoli – because it doesn’t need to be bland and mushy!
Easy Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower Recipe
You’ll love this air fryer broccoli and cauliflower recipe! Season in different ways – cooks in less than 10 min.
Mexican-Style Cauliflower Rice Skillet Recipe
Mexican-style cauliflower rice makes a HEALTHY side for tacos or base for burrito bowls! And, my Mexican cauliflower rice skillet is ready in just 15 min.
Super Simple Dinner Ideas for Gestational Diabetes
When you need a super simple meal (no recipe required!), try one of these.
- Dinner Worthy Snack Board – Use your favorite almond flour, low-carb, or whole-grain crackers along with plenty of protein options
- Brats or chicken sausage + side salad or raw veggies
- Lightly breaded chicken bites + side salad or raw veggies
- Grilled chicken + your favorite salad
- Burgers in lettuce buns
- Basic fish + veggie side