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Glycemic Load (GL) Calculator

Glycemic Load (GL) factors in both how fast a food raises blood sugar (GI) and how much carb you actually eat — a more reliable indicator than GI alone. Enter GI and carbs per serving for an instant GL and classification.

Glycemic Load

21.6

High GL

Per-serving scale

Low GL
≤ 10
Medium GL
11–19
High GL
≥ 20

Cut-offs: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Formula

GL = (GI × grams of carbs per serving) ÷ 100

Frequently asked

What's the difference between GI and GL?

GI (Glycemic Index) only measures how fast a fixed 50 g carb portion raises blood sugar. GL (Glycemic Load) folds in how much carb you actually eat. A slice of watermelon has high GI but very few carbs (low GL), while a bowl of white rice has medium GI but many carbs (high GL) — GL captures that difference.

Should people with diabetes or trying to lose weight choose low-GL foods?

Generally yes — but it doesn't mean fully avoiding medium- or high-GL foods. Studies link low-GL eating to better blood-sugar control, lower HbA1c, and improved satiety. The practical approach: build meals around low-GL staples (legumes, vegetables, whole grains, nuts), keep high-GL portions small, and pair them with protein or fibre rather than eating refined carbs alone. For an individual plan, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.

Where can I look up GI values for foods?

The most authoritative source is the international GI database maintained by the University of Sydney (glycemicindex.com), with measured values for 2,000+ foods. Harvard's Nutrition Source and diabetes associations (ADA, Diabetes UK) also publish handy GI/GL tables of common foods.

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