Cheese, swiss & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 0.6 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 0.6/100g · GI 44 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Glycemic Impact
The Numbers at a Glance
Version Differences at a Glance
The sugar figure here (0 per 100g) is the family's floor: well below the family average, where the variants run 0-1.3 per 100g. At 0.6 per 100g, this is the lowest-glycemic load version in the Cheese group — about 60% below the family average, with the family spanning 0.6 to 1.5 per 100g.
Within this Cheese family (4 versions), GL per 100g spans 0.6 to 1.5 — the processing and fat content decide where each lands. See the numbers side by side: Low sodium, Nonfat or fat free, Low fat.
What to Watch For
⚠️ High Saturated Fat
Cheese, swiss contains 19.7g 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.
Alternatives to Consider
🥛 Butter, salted
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Butter, salted & diabetes →🥛 Butter, without salt
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Butter, without salt & diabetes →🥛 Cheese, Mexican blend
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Cheese, Mexican blend & diabetes →🥛 Cheese, goat, semisoft type
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Cheese, goat, semisoft type & diabetes →Practical Guidance
💡 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.
💡 Fiber Is Your Friend
Dietary fiber slows carbohydrate absorption. Aim for at least 3g of fiber per serving of carbohydrate foods.
Other Dairy and Egg Products Foods
Quick Answers
Is Cheese swiss good for diabetes?
Cheese swiss has a GL of 0.6 — in the lower range. The carbs are released slowly, or there simply aren't many carbs to begin with. As always, check your personal glucose response.
What is the glycemic load of Cheese swiss?
Cheese swiss's glycemic load: 0.6 (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 Cheese swiss raise blood sugar?
Blood sugar impact of Cheese swiss: Low. The key factors are its GI (44) and available carb content (1.4g/100g), which together produce a GL of 0.6.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 44 for Cheese swiss is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Dairy and Egg 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.
What about the saturated fat content?
At 19.7g of saturated fat per serving, Cheese swiss 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.
Methodology & Sources
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 44 — subcategory_avg:Dairy and Egg Products. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 108.0g) = 0.6 × 108.0 ÷ 100 = 0.6
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 171251. 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. “Cheese, swiss — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/cheese-swiss/
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.