๐Ÿ”ด

Bread, pumpernickel & Diabetes

Limit

High glycemic impact โ€” occasional choice only. Glycemic load of 26.5 per 100g.

โœ… Nutrition data verified ยท GL 26.5/100g ยท GI 64.6 ยท TIER 3 โš ๏ธ GI: Subcategory Estimate

GI estimated from food subcategory average โ€” not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]

How This Food Affects Blood Sugar

๐Ÿ“
26.5
Glycemic Load
Per 100g ยท 8.5 per serving
High
๐Ÿ“Š
64.6
Glycemic Index
Medium
Medium
๐Ÿž
47.5g
Total Carbs
Net carbs 41.0g
๐ŸŒพ
6.5g
Dietary Fiber

Nutrition at a Glance

๐Ÿฌ
0.5g
Total Sugar
๐Ÿฅฉ
8.7g
Protein
๐Ÿงˆ
0.44g
Saturated Fat
Low
๐Ÿง‚
596mg
Sodium
High
๐Ÿ”ฅ 250 kcal๐Ÿ’ง 37.9% water๐Ÿ›ข 3.1g total fat

What to Watch For

โš ๏ธ High Sodium

Bread, pumpernickel provides 191mg of sodium per serving — significant relative to the ADA's daily recommendation of <2,300mg. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk in diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices throughout the rest of the day.

ADA recommends <2,300mg sodium per day for most adults with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1), 2024.

How to Include It

๐Ÿ’ก Cool & Reheat

Cooked-and-cooled starches form resistant starch, which resists digestion and reduces the glycemic response. Refrigerate and reheat before eating โ€” the effect persists.

๐Ÿ’ก Half Portion, Full Satisfaction

A half serving significantly reduces the glycemic load. Use it as a side, not the main event, and bulk up your plate with vegetables.

๐Ÿ’ก Balance Sodium

Pair with low-sodium foods throughout the rest of your day. Fresh herbs and spices can replace salt as flavoring.

๐Ÿ’ก Check Your Own Response

Individual blood sugar responses vary. Use a glucose meter to understand how this food affects you personally.

Glycemic Load by Serving Size

Portion Weight Carbs Glycemic Load Verdict
ยฝ Serving 16g 7.6g 4.2 Friendly
Standard Serving 32g 15.2g 8.5 Friendly
Restaurant Portion 64g 30.4g 17.0 Moderate

GL โ‰ค10 = Low (Friendly) ยท 11โ€“19 = Moderate ยท โ‰ฅ20 = High (Limit).
The page-level verdict is based on GL per 100g; this table shows how portion size changes the actual GL you get.

More Baked Products to Compare

๐Ÿš Cookie

๐Ÿ”ด Limit ยท GL 31.9/100g

๐Ÿš Tortillas

๐Ÿ”ด Limit ยท GL 33.8/100g

๐Ÿš Doughnuts

๐Ÿ”ด Limit ยท GL 37.7/100g

Questions People Ask

Is Bread pumpernickel good for diabetes?

A GL of 26.5 is a clear signal: Bread pumpernickel impacts blood sugar significantly. This doesn't mean “never.” It means “rarely, in small amounts, with strategy.” Half-portions, paired eating, or occasional treats โ€” you decide the context.

Where does Bread pumpernickel sit on the glycemic load scale?

GL = 26.5 per 100g for Bread pumpernickel. For context: low GL is โ‰ค10, moderate is 11–19, and high is โ‰ฅ20. Bread pumpernickel falls into the High category.

What happens to blood sugar after eating Bread pumpernickel?

Blood sugar impact of Bread pumpernickel: High. The key factors are its GI (64.6) and available carb content (41.0g/100g), which together produce a GL of 26.5.

Is the GI value accurate?

The GI of 64.6 for Bread pumpernickel is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Baked Products category from the International GI Tables (Atkinson et al., 2021). Actual GI may vary by variety, ripeness, cooking method, and individual response. We display estimated values with full transparency so you can make informed decisions.

Can portion control make this food work?

Yes — half a standard serving of Bread pumpernickel reduces the glycemic load substantially. At GL 26.5 per 100g this is a dense source, but a half portion makes a meaningful difference. The key is mindfulness: use it as a side dish, not the main event, and fill most of your plate with non-starchy vegetables and lean protein.

Is the sodium level a concern?

Bread pumpernickel contains 191mg of sodium per serving — approaching the ADA's recommendation of <2,300mg daily. High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, compounding cardiovascular risk — the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. If you eat this food, balance it with lower-sodium choices during the rest of the day. Fresh herbs, spices, and citrus can replace salt as flavoring.

Where This Data Comes From

Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average

Glycemic Index (GI): 64.6 — subcategory_avg:Baked Products. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.

GL (per 100g) = GI (64.6) × Available Carbs (41.0g) ÷ 100 = 26.5
GL (per serving, 32.0g) = 26.5 × 32.0 ÷ 100 = 8.5

Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 174918. Data are in the public domain (CC0 1.0).

GL Classification: ≤10 = Low (Low GL), 11–19 = Moderate (Eat in Moderation), ≥20 = High (Limit). Based on University of Sydney Glycemic Index Foundation classification.

โš ๏ธ GI value is estimated, not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. Actual GI may vary by variety, cooking method, and individual glycemic response.

Cite this page: GlycemicWise. “Bread, pumpernickel — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/bread-pumpernickel/

Dietary reference — not medical advice. This page provides evidence-based dietary reference information for general educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual blood sugar responses vary significantly. Always check your blood glucose to understand your personal response to foods, and talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Data sources are cited above and publicly available from the USDA and the University of Sydney Glycemic Index Research Service.