Lettuce, red leaf, raw & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 0.8 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 0.8/100g · GI 61.9 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
Blood Sugar Impact
Key Nutrition Data
Other Vegetables and Vegetable Products Foods
🥦 Soybeans
🟢 Low GL · GL 5.3/100g
🟡 Eat in Moderation · GL 12.7/100g
🥦 Potatoes
🟡 Eat in Moderation · GL 14.6/100g
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 42g | 0.9g | 0.3 | Friendly |
| Standard Serving | 85g | 1.9g | 0.7 | Friendly |
| Restaurant Portion | 170g | 3.8g | 1.4 | 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.
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 Lettuce red leaf rate for blood sugar control?
Lettuce red leaf has a GL of 0.8 — 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.
How much GL does Lettuce red leaf have per serving?
GL = 0.8 per 100g for Lettuce red leaf. For context: low GL is ≤10, moderate is 11–19, and high is ≥20. Lettuce red leaf falls into the Low category.
How does Lettuce red leaf affect blood sugar?
With only 0.9g of fiber per 100g, Lettuce red leaf's GL of 0.8 means the blood sugar impact is low. The carbohydrates digest and absorb quickly. Pairing with protein and high-fiber foods can help slow absorption.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 61.9 for Lettuce red leaf 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.
Methodology & 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, 85.0g) = 0.8 × 85.0 ÷ 100 = 0.7
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 168431. 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. “Lettuce, red leaf, raw — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/lettuce-red-leaf-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.