Cabbage, kimchi & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 0.5 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 0.5/100g · GI 61.9 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Glycemic Response at a Glance
The Numbers at a Glance
What to Watch For
⚠️ High Sodium
Cabbage, kimchi provides 747mg 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.
Other Vegetables and Vegetable Products Foods
Practical Tips
💡 Cook Lightly or Eat Raw
Overcooking breaks down vegetable fiber and can increase glycemic impact. Light steaming preserves structure and nutrients.
💡 Balance Sodium
Pair with low-sodium foods throughout the rest of your day. Fresh herbs and spices can replace salt as flavoring.
💡 Check Your Own Response
Individual blood sugar responses vary. Use a glucose meter to understand how this food affects you personally.
💡 Glycemic Load Over Glycemic Index
GL accounts for both the speed AND amount of carbohydrate, making it more practical for real-world eating than GI alone.
Better Alternatives
🥦 Chrysanthemum leaves, raw
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Fiber 3.0g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Chrysanthemum leaves, raw & diabetes →🥦 Chrysanthemum, garland, raw
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Fiber 3.0g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Chrysanthemum, garland, raw & diabetes →🥦 Alfalfa seeds, sprouted, raw
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Fiber 1.9g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Alfalfa seeds, sprouted, raw & diabetes →🥦 Mustard greens, frozen, unprepared
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Fiber 3.3g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Mustard greens, frozen, unprepared & diabetes →Quick Answers
How does Cabbage kimchi rate for blood sugar control?
Cabbage kimchi scores a GL of 0.5 on the glycemic scale. For context, ≤10 is considered low. This is general dietary information and should not replace personalized guidance from your care team.
What is the glycemic load of Cabbage kimchi?
GL = 0.5 per 100g for Cabbage kimchi. For context: low GL is ≤10, moderate is 11–19, and high is ≥20. Cabbage kimchi falls into the Low category.
Does Cabbage kimchi spike blood sugar?
Blood sugar impact of Cabbage kimchi: Low. The key factors are its GI (61.9) and available carb content (0.8g/100g), which together produce a GL of 0.5.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 61.9 for Cabbage kimchi is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Vegetables and Vegetable 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.
Is the sodium level a concern?
Cabbage kimchi contains 747mg of sodium per serving — well above 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.
Data Sources
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 61.9 — subcategory_avg:Vegetables and Vegetable Products. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 150.0g) = 0.5 × 150.0 ÷ 100 = 0.8
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 170392. 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.
⚠️ 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. “Cabbage, kimchi — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/cabbage-kimchi/
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.