Catsup & Diabetes
Moderate glycemic impact — consider portion size. Glycemic load of 16.8 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 16.8/100g · GI 61.9 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Glycemic Impact
Nutrition Profile
What to Watch For
⚠️ Low Dietary Fiber
Catsup contains only 0.3g of fiber per 100g — far below the recommended threshold for diabetes-friendly carbohydrates. Without fiber to slow digestion, the starches break down rapidly in the small intestine, causing a quicker glucose release into the bloodstream. The American Diabetes Association recommends choosing high-fiber carbohydrates (≥3g per serving) to help stabilize post-meal blood sugar. Pairing Catsup with high-fiber vegetables or legumes can partially offset this effect.
ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes (2024). Diabetes Care, 47(Suppl 1).
⚠️ High Sodium
Catsup provides 154mg 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.
Alternatives to Consider
🥦 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 →Other Vegetables and Vegetable Products Foods
🟢 Low GL · GL 10/100g
🟢 Low GL · GL 2.5/100g
🟢 Low GL · GL 9.1/100g
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 8g | 2.2g | 1.3 | Friendly |
| Standard Serving | 17g | 4.7g | 2.9 | Friendly |
| Restaurant Portion | 34g | 9.3g | 5.7 | Friendly |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Catsup fit into a diabetes meal plan?
You can eat Catsup with diabetes — just be mindful. Its GL of 16.8 puts it in the moderate range. Think of it as a 'sometimes' food rather than an 'every meal' food.
How much GL does Catsup have per serving?
Catsup's glycemic load: 16.8 (per 100g). Unlike GI which only measures speed, GL accounts for actual carbohydrate quantity — making it the more practical number for diabetes management.
How quickly does Catsup raise blood sugar?
With only 0.3g of fiber per 100g, Catsup's GL of 16.8 means the blood sugar impact is moderate. The carbohydrates digest and absorb quickly. Pairing with protein and high-fiber foods can help slow absorption.
Why is fiber important for blood sugar control?
Dietary fiber slows carbohydrate digestion and absorption, leading to a more gradual blood sugar rise. Catsup has only 0.3g of fiber per 100g, which is one reason its glycemic load (16.8) is moderate. The ADA recommends choosing carbs with at least 3g of fiber per serving. Adding high-fiber foods like vegetables or legumes to your meal can help compensate.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 61.9 for Catsup 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?
Catsup contains 154mg 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.
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, 17.0g) = 16.8 × 17.0 ÷ 100 = 2.9
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 168556. 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. “Catsup — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/catsup/
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.