Candies, REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar & Diabetes
High glycemic impact — occasional choice only. Glycemic load of 20.9 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 20.9/100g · GI 42.8 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Blood Sugar Response
Key Nutrition Data
Version Differences at a Glance
This version sits at the low end for sugar: 40.2 per 100g, about 21% below the family average (family spread 40.2-53.6 per 100g). Fiber runs highest in this version — 3.9 per 100g, about 20% above the family average against a 2.9-3.9 per 100g range.
The Candies family's GL range is 20.9-25.8 per 100g across 6 versions, enough spread to make the specific choice count. Compare directly with Milk chocolate, Peanut Butter Cups, BITES.
What to Watch For
⚠️ High Saturated Fat
Candies, REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar contains 4.8g of saturated fat per serving — above the 5g threshold recommended by the ADA and AHA. High saturated fat intake is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, consider it an occasional choice rather than a daily staple.
ADA Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management (2024). Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1). · AHA Dietary Guidelines.
Lower-GL Alternatives
🍬 Gelatin desserts, dry mix, reduced calorie, with aspartame, prepared with water
GL 1.8/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Gelatin desserts, dry mix, reduced calorie, with aspartame, prepared with water & diabetes →🍬 Frozen novelties, Sugar Free, CREAMSICLE Pops
GL 1.9/100g — Low GL
Fiber 7.5g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Frozen novelties, Sugar Free, CREAMSICLE Pops & diabetes →🍬 Frozen novelties, ice type, sugar free, orange, cherry, and grape POPSICLE pops
GL 2.2/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Frozen novelties, ice type, sugar free, orange, cherry, and grape POPSICLE pops & diabetes →🍬 Frozen novelties, ice type, pop, with low calorie sweetener
GL 2.5/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Frozen novelties, ice type, pop, with low calorie sweetener & diabetes →Simple Ways to Balance It
💡 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.
💡 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.
💡 Pair Carbs With Protein
Adding protein to a carbohydrate-containing meal slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 27g | 14.3g | 5.6 | Friendly |
| Standard Serving | 54g | 28.5g | 11.3 | Moderate |
| Restaurant Portion | 108g | 57.0g | 22.6 | High |
GL ≤10 = Low (Friendly) · 11–19 = Moderate · ≥20 = High (Limit).
The page-level verdict is based on GL per 100g; this table shows how portion size changes the actual GL you get.
Quick Answers
Is REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar a reasonable choice if you have diabetes?
REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar scores high on the glycemic load scale (20.9). For better blood sugar control, look for alternatives — there's usually a lower-GL option in the same food category.
What is the glycemic load of REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar?
Per 100g, REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar has a GL of 20.9. This means one standard serving (1 piece) provides approximately 11.3 GL — which is high.
How quickly does REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar raise blood sugar?
The primary way REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar affects blood sugar is through its carbohydrate content (52.8g/100g). With a GI of 42.8 (low) and limited fiber, this produces an overall GL of 20.9 (High).
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 42.8 for REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Sweets 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 REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar reduces the glycemic load substantially. At GL 20.9 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.
What about the saturated fat content?
At 4.8g of saturated fat per serving, REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar exceeds the 5g threshold that the ADA and AHA recommend for diabetes and heart health. Saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. While this food may have a manageable glycemic load, it is best as an occasional choice rather than a daily staple. Prioritize foods with unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, fish) for everyday eating.
Where This Data Comes From
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 42.8 — subcategory_avg:Sweets. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 54.0g) = 20.9 × 54.0 ÷ 100 = 11.3
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 169624. 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. “Candies, REESE'S NUTRAGEOUS Candy Bar — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/candies-reeses-nutrageous-candy-bar/
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.