Nuts, cashew nuts, raw & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 6.6 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 6.6/100g · GI 24.5 · TIER 3 ⚠️ GI: Subcategory Estimate
GI estimated from food subcategory average — not directly tested on this food. [1] [3]
How This Food Affects Blood Sugar
Key Nutrition Data
What Makes This Version Different
Saturated fat comes in low here — 7.8 per 100g, about 16% below the family average, against a 7.8-10.6 per 100g spread. The calories number (553 per 100g) is the lowest in the family, though only slightly below the rest (553-609 per 100g).
The Nuts family's GL range is 6.3-7.3 per 100g across 7 versions, enough spread to make the specific choice count. Compare directly with Dry roasted, Dry roasted, Plain.
What to Watch For
⚠️ High Saturated Fat
Nuts, cashew nuts, raw contains 2.2g 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.
Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 14g | 4.2g | 0.9 | Friendly |
| Standard Serving | 28g | 8.5g | 1.8 | Friendly |
| Restaurant Portion | 57g | 17.2g | 3.8 | 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
🥜 Seeds, sesame seed kernels, dried (decorticated)
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Fiber 11.6g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Seeds, sesame seed kernels, dried (decorticated) & diabetes →🥜 Seeds, flaxseed
GL 0.4/100g — Low GL
Fiber 27.3g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Seeds, flaxseed & diabetes →🥜 Nuts, coconut water (liquid from coconuts)
GL 0.6/100g — Low GL
Fiber 1.1g/100g. Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Nuts, coconut water (liquid from coconuts) & diabetes →🥜 Nuts, coconut milk, canned (liquid expressed from grated meat and water)
GL 0.7/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Nuts, coconut milk, canned (liquid expressed from grated meat and water) & diabetes →Other Nut and Seed Products Foods
🥜 Nuts
🟡 Eat in Moderation · GL 12.8/100g
🥜 Nuts
🟢 Low GL · GL 3.4/100g
🥜 Nuts
🟢 Low GL · GL 1.7/100g
Quick Answers
Is Nuts cashew nuts good for diabetes?
Nuts cashew nuts scores a GL of 6.6 on the glycemic scale. For context, ≤10 is considered low. This is general dietary information and should not replace personalized guidance from your care team.
How much GL does Nuts cashew nuts have per serving?
GL = 6.6 per 100g for Nuts cashew nuts. For context: low GL is ≤10, moderate is 11–19, and high is ≥20. Nuts cashew nuts falls into the Low category.
Does Nuts cashew nuts spike blood sugar?
Blood sugar impact of Nuts cashew nuts: Low. The key factors are its GI (24.5) and available carb content (26.9g/100g), which together produce a GL of 6.6.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 24.5 for Nuts cashew nuts is estimated (Tier 3), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Nut and Seed 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 2.2g of saturated fat per serving, Nuts cashew nuts 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.
References & Data Sources
Data Tier: TIER 3 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 24.5 — subcategory_avg:Nut and Seed Products. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 28.4g) = 6.6 × 28.4 ÷ 100 = 1.9
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 170162. 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. “Nuts, cashew nuts, raw — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/nuts-cashew-nuts-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.