3 Irresistible Summer Meal Ideas for a Gestational Diabetes Diet

No Stove or Oven Required – Featuring Chicken!

Looking for refreshing gestational diabetes recipes that are easy, nourishing, and don’t require turning on the oven? Whether you're newly diagnosed or deep into managing GD, these summer-friendly chicken recipes are designed to keep blood sugar stable while delivering flavor and satisfaction — no heatwave cooking required!

Let’s dig into three no-cook meals perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

1. Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups

Light, crunchy, and protein-packed — this chicken salad is perfect for gestational diabetes management and makes a great meal prep option.

This recipe was shared by one of our HIgedi users, so big thanks to Debora! We’ve just slightly adjusted it 😊

Ingredients

• 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

• 1 cup chopped grapes or Granny Smith apple (lower sugar option)

• 1 cup chopped celery (about 3 stalks)

• ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped

• ½ cup grated hard cheese (choose low-fat if preferred)

Dressing

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (ACV)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.

3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.

4. Serve in lettuce cups for a low-carb option, or try low-carb tortillas, rye crispbread, or even halved bell peppers as fun and crunchy "boats."

2. Chicken and Chickpea Salad

This zesty, crunchy salad is ideal if you tolerate legumes moderately well. Chickpeas add fiber and protein, helping keep glucose levels steady.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 cup chopped celery

• ½ cup chopped pickles

• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

• ¼ cup chopped almonds

Dressing

• 1 tbsp mustard

• 6 tbsp olive oil

• Juice of ½ to 1 lemon

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine chicken, chickpeas, celery, pickles, dill, and almonds.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

3. Pour dressing over salad and toss well. Chill before serving for best flavor.

3. Chicken and Goat Cheese Salad with Strawberries

This salad hits that perfect balance between sweet, savory, and tangy — and it’s full of nutrient-dense, blood sugar–friendly ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

• 4 cups spring mix

• ½ cup crumbled pasteurized goat cheese

• 1 cup sliced strawberries

• 2 tbsp chia seeds

• ½ cup toasted pecans

Dressing

• 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 8 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp mustard

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional — substitute with sugar-free syrup if needed)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Toss salad ingredients together in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the dressing ingredients until well combined.

3. Drizzle dressing over salad just before serving.

Final Thoughts: Meals That Actually Work When You're Hot, Tired, and Managing GD

If you’re anything like me—hi, Julija here, founder of HIgedi—pregnancy plus heat plus gestational diabetes is… a lot. The last thing you probably want to do is hover over a stove while trying to keep your blood sugar in check and energy up. While I wasn’t diagnosed with gestational diabetes in summer, I did have to manage it right through the hottest months, so I know what it’s like to stare at your stove and think: “Absolutely not.”

These are the kinds of meals that made sense on those days—quick to put together, blood sugar–friendly, and still genuinely satisfying. No oven, no stress—just simple, cooling food that helps you stay nourished without the burnout.

If you're in the same boat, I hope these ideas meet you where you are—because some days, the biggest win is just making something that works.

You’re doing great. 💛

Want More Inspiration?

Explore more real food ideas for gestational diabetes on HIgedi app — a growing community of moms navigating GD with support, shared tips, and delicious recipes that work for real life.