Taco cravings can be satisfied by following this low carb Taco Bell guide for gestational diabetes - Quick reference PDF included!
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Low Carb at Taco Bell
Only items appropriate for the diet made the list, so if you don't see what you like, it exceeded normal gestational diabetes diet carb limits.
You can check their menu for yourself here.
Although Taco Bell has plenty of low carb options, they don't have a lot of veggies or complimentary low carb options to help complete your healthy meal.
Since filling up on tacos isn't ideal in pregnancy, or gestational diabetes, pre-made snacks or handy veggie sticks to complete your meal would be great if you're stopping by Taco Bell.
Check out Snacks On The Go so you can have an idea of some low carb gas station options. These may help complete your meal one day. ?
Download the quick reference PDF here!
Breakfast
| Item | Carbs | Protein |
| Hashbrown | 13 | 1 |
| Egg & Cheese Soft Taco | 15 | 7 |
| Sausage Soft Taco | 15 | 9 |
| Bacon Soft Taco | 15 | 12 |
| Mini Skillet Bowl | 16 | 5 |
| Cinnabon Delights (2 Pack)* | 17 | 2 |
| Sausage Flatbread Quesadilla* | 27 | 14 |
*Of course, the pack of Cinnabon isn't ideal. In fact, if it's breakfast, you shouldn't eat them unless you have 2 eggs to go with it. Even then, it's questionable. But only you know what you can handle.
*Same with the Sausage Flatbread Quesadilla. It made the list because some moms can go up to 30g carbs for breakfast and it has a 2 to 1 ratio of carbs to protein which is usually safe.
The Mtn Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus is only 18 carbs but it didn't make the list because it's a liquid, and it's breakfast. Carbs in liquids are more quickly absorbed than carbs in foods, so since it's breakfast (coming off a fast) you should avoid the likely spike.
Burritos
| Item | Carbs | Protein |
| Chipotle Chicken Loaded Griller | 36 | 14* |
| Chili Cheese Burrito | 40 | 16* |
| Power Menu Chicken Burrito | 41 | 26 |
| Power Menu Steak Burrito | 42 | 25 |
Although the first two burritos are lower carb than the others, their protein is on the lower end as well. Try ordering double meat or cheese to bump up the protein.
The last two burritos are almost at max carbs. If you think you'll be satisfied, go for it, although it isn't the healthiest option. But hey, we're at Taco Bell so what do we expect. Anyway, if you don't think one burrito will fill you up then try just half the burrito with a low carb side.
Adding Protein
You'll see that the protein is unbalanced with the carbs in most items. Ideally, you want to eat about 25g of protein at each snack/meal to get in your daily requirement.
Unfortunately, there isn't an easy way to do this with Taco Bell's menu because their protein per serving is pretty low.
| Protein Type | Carbs | Protein |
| Beef | 3 | 5 |
| Chicken | 1 | 7 |
| Steak | 1 | 8 |
| Shredded Cheese | 0 | 2 |
Fortunately, Taco Bell has an online nutrition calculator and for their entire menu. You can go there and customize your favorite items to make them work for you and this diet!
Tacos
| Item | Carbs | Protein |
| Fiery Doritos Locos Taco | 13 | 8 |
| Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco | 13 | 8 |
| Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco | 13 | 8 |
| Crunchy Taco | 13 | 8 |
| Supreme Crunchy Tacos | 15 | 8 |
| Chicken Soft Taco | 16 | 10 |
| Grilled Steak Soft Taco | 17 | 12 |
| Beef Soft Taco | 18 | 9 |
| Beef Taco Supreme | 20 | 10 |
| Fresco Crunchy Beef Taco | 14 | 6 |
| Fresco Shredded Chicken Soft Taco | 16 | 9 |
| Fresco Steak Soft Taco | 17 | 10 |
| Fresco Beef Soft Taco | 18 | 8 |
The tacos listed are all relatively safe because they have decent carb to protein ratios.
Specialties
| Item | Carbs | Protein |
| Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla | 15 | 10 |
| Cheesy Roll Up | 15 | 9 |
| Beefy Mini Quesadilla | 17 | 9 |
| Meximelt | 19 | 14 |
| Spicy Tostada | 22 | 6 |
| Chicken Gordita Supreme | 29 | 16 |
| Steak Gordita Supreme | 30 | 16 |
| Chicken Chalupa Supreme | 31 | 16 |
| Beef Gordita Supreme | 31 | 13 |
| Steak Chalupa Supreme | 32 | 15 |
| Steak Chalupa Supreme | 32 | 15 |
| Beef Chalupa Supreme | 33 | 13 |
Be careful as you get to the higher carb items because you need to think about what will satisfy you. Will you be satisfied with just one item and does it have enough protein?
Remember, adding protein is always an option.
Ideally, you want to eat about 25g of protein at each snack/meal to get in your daily requirement.
Real Food for Pregnancy
Vegetarian
| Item | Carbs | Protein |
| Black Beans | 12 | 3 |
| Cheesy Roll Up | 15 | 9 |
| Spicy Tostada | 22 | 6 |
| Pintos 'n Cheese | 22 | 10 |
| Double Tostada | 32 | 12 |
| Cheese Quesadilla | 37 | 19 |
Drinks
| Item | Carbs | Protein |
| Coffees | 0 | 2 |
| Coffee w/Sweetened Cream | 3 | 2 - 4 |
| Pepsi Zero Sugar (30oz) | 0 | 0 |
| Mtn Dew Baja Blast Zero Sugar (30oz) | 0 | 0 |
| Brisk Unsweetened No Lemon Iced Tea (30oz) | 0 | 0 |
| Aquafina Sparkling Berry Breeze (30oz) | 0 | 0 |
| Diet Drinks - All (30oz) | 0-1 | 0 |
| Lowfat Milk | 10 | 7 |
| G2 - Fruit Punch (30oz) | 13 | 0 |
Check out Starbucks or others in the series!
What items have worked for you? Comment below.
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