Abstract Aims: Pre‐eclampsia (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has been proposed that, among other risk factors, the nutritional status of women can lead to the endothelial dysfunction that characterizes this entity. The aim of the present study was to compare the nutritional status of women with PE with healthy pregnant and non‐pregnant women. Material and Methods: A multicenter case–control study was carried out. Between September 2006 and July 2009, 201 women with PE were compared with 201 pregnant, and 201 non‐pregnant aged‐matched women without cardiovascular or endocrine diseases. A clinical history and physical examination was performed. Fasting blood samples were drawn to measure serum glucose and lipid profile. The nutritional status of participants was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: The average age of women was 26.6 ± 7.2 years. Compared to healthy pregnant controls, women with PE had a higher body mass index, higher fasting blood glucose levels, higher triglycerides, and lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Women with PE had a higher intake of carbohydrates, energy intake and cereal compared to healthy pregnant and non‐pregnant controls. A conditional logistic regression demonstrated that carbohydrate and sodium intake are associated with PE development. Conclusions: Diets of women with PE were characterized by higher energy and carbohydrate intake compared to normal pregnant and non‐pregnant women. This suggests that higher carbohydrate and sodium intake increases the risk of PE among women in Colombia.