Lentils, raw & Diabetes
High glycemic impact — occasional choice only. Glycemic load of 20.4 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 20.4/100g · GI 38.8 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Glycemic Response at a Glance
Key Nutrition Data
Better Alternatives
🫘 Chicken, meatless
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Fiber 3.6g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Chicken, meatless & diabetes →🫘 HOUSE FOODS Premium Firm Tofu
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
HOUSE FOODS Premium Firm Tofu & diabetes →🫘 Vitasoy USA Organic Nasoya, Soft Tofu
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Vitasoy USA Organic Nasoya, Soft Tofu & diabetes →🫘 Vitasoy USA Azumaya, Silken Tofu
GL 0.1/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Vitasoy USA Azumaya, Silken Tofu & diabetes →Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 6g | 3.8g | 1.2 | Friendly |
| Standard Serving | 12g | 7.6g | 2.4 | Friendly |
| Restaurant Portion | 24g | 15.2g | 4.9 | 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.
How to Include 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.
Common Questions
Is Lentils good for diabetes?
Lentils should be limited for diabetics. A GL of 20.4 is firmly in the high range. If it's a food you love, try reducing the portion dramatically or swapping for a lower-GL version.
How much GL does Lentils have per serving?
GL = 20.4 per 100g for Lentils. For context: low GL is ≤10, moderate is 11–19, and high is ≥20. Lentils falls into the High category.
Does Lentils spike blood sugar?
Blood sugar impact of Lentils: High. The key factors are its GI (38.8) and available carb content (52.7g/100g), which together produce a GL of 20.4.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 38.8 for Lentils is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Legumes and Legume 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 Lentils reduces the glycemic load substantially. At GL 20.4 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.
Methodology & Sources
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 38.8 — subcategory_avg:Legumes and Legume Products. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 12.0g) = 20.4 × 12.0 ÷ 100 = 2.4
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 172420. 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. “Lentils, raw — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/lentils-raw/
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.