Turkey, ground, 85% lean, 15% fat, raw & Diabetes
Low glycemic impact for the stated serving. Glycemic load of 0 per 100g.
✅ Nutrition data verified · GL 0/100g · GI None · TIER 4 ⚠️ GI: Low-Carb Estimate
GI estimated by low-carbohydrate inference — not directly tested. [1] [3]
How This Food Affects Blood Sugar
The Numbers at a Glance
This Version vs the Family
This version sits at the low end for protein: 16.9 per 100g, about 33% below the family average (family spread 16.9-31.7 per 100g). The sodium figure (54 mg per 100g) is a middle-of-the-family number — variants here run 51-91 mg per 100g.
Closest variants worth comparing: Raw, Raw, 15% fat, pan-broiled crumbles.
How to Include It
💡 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.
Foods to Try Instead
🥩 Turkey, wing, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Turkey, wing, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed & diabetes →🥩 Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Turkey, drumstick, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed & diabetes →🥩 Turkey, light or dark meat, smoked, cooked, skin and bone removed
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Turkey, light or dark meat, smoked, cooked, skin and bone removed & diabetes →🥩 Turkey, light or dark meat, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed
GL 0/100g — Low GL
Rated diabetes-friendly — lower glycemic impact than your current selection.
Turkey, light or dark meat, smoked, cooked, with skin, bone removed & diabetes →Glycemic Load by Serving Size
| Portion | Weight | Carbs | Glycemic Load | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Serving | 56g | 0.0g | 0.0 | High |
| Standard Serving | 113g | 0.0g | 0.0 | High |
| Restaurant Portion | 226g | 0.0g | 0.0 | High |
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.
FAQ
How does Turkey ground 85% lean 15% fat rate for blood sugar control?
With a GL of 0, Turkey ground 85% lean 15% fat is in the lowest category for blood sugar impact. It may be a suitable choice within a balanced diabetes eating pattern.
What is the glycemic load of Turkey ground 85% lean 15% fat?
The glycemic load of Turkey ground 85% lean 15% fat is 0 per 100g. GL is calculated by multiplying the GI (0) by the available carbohydrates (0g) and dividing by 100.
Does Turkey ground 85% lean 15% fat spike blood sugar?
Turkey ground 85% lean 15% fat affects blood sugar by releasing glucose during digestion. Since its GL is 0 (low), it's unlikely to cause problems in standard servings. Individual responses vary — check your glucose monitor.
Is the GI value accurate?
The GI of 0 for Turkey ground 85% lean 15% fat is estimated (Tier 4), not directly ISO-tested on this specific food. It is based on the weighted average GI of foods in the Poultry 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.
Where This Data Comes From
Data Tier: TIER 4 — estimated from category average
Glycemic Index (GI): 0 — None. Source: International GI Tables (Atkinson, Brand-Miller et al., Diabetes Care, 2021). University of Sydney GI Research Service.
GL (per serving, 113.0g) = 0 × 113.0 ÷ 100 = 0.0
Nutrition Data: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy Release (April 2018). FDC ID: 174493. 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. “Turkey, ground, 85% lean, 15% fat, raw — Glycemic Load & Diabetes Reference.” GlycemicWise, July 2026. https://glycemicwise.com/foods/turkey-ground-85percent-lean-15percent-fat-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.