Arepa glycemic index
Arepa has a glycemic index of 61, which is medium. A 60 g serving (1 small arepa) has a glycemic load of 13 (medium).
Also known as: corn cake
- Serving60 g
- Available carbs21 g
- Fiber1.6 g
- Sugars0.5 g
- Protein3.3 g
- Calories131 kcal
Serving: 1 small arepa.
What to know
Arepas made from precooked white cornmeal averaged a medium GI, with a wide range between recipes. Filling them with cheese, beans, eggs or avocado lowers the impact of the meal.
Glycemic load by portion size
GI stays the same whatever you eat, but glycemic load scales with the amount: eating twice as much doubles the effect on blood sugar.
| Amount | Available carbs | Glycemic load | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 17 g | 11 | Medium |
| 100 g | 35 g | 21 | High |
| 60 g · 1 small arepa | 21 g | 13 | Medium |
| 120 g · double serving | 41 g | 25 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 61 is the median of 5 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results range from 44 to 81. That spread is normal: GI changes with variety, ripeness, cooking and processing, and between labs.
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 44 · USA 1993
- 55 · Venezuela 2004
- 61 · Venezuela 2004
- 72 · Mexico 1994
- 81 · USA 1993
Arepa compared with other bread & bakery
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Frequently asked questions
Is arepa low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 61, arepa is in the medium range (56 to 69). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of arepa?
A 60 g serving (1 small arepa) has a glycemic load of 13, which is medium. Glycemic load combines GI with the amount of carbohydrate in the portion: 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 medium and 20 or more high.
Can people with diabetes eat arepa?
With a GI of 61 and a medium glycemic load per serving, arepa can be part of a diabetes-friendly diet with attention to portion size and pairing it with protein, fat or fiber. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in arepa?
A 60 g serving has about 22 g of total carbohydrate, including 1.6 g of fiber, leaving 20.7 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 37.1 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (60 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 219 kcal | 131 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g | 22 g |
| Available carbs | 35 g | 21 g |
| Fiber | 2.6 g | 1.6 g |
| Sugars | 0.9 g | 0.5 g |
| Protein | 5.5 g | 3.3 g |
| Fat | 5.4 g | 3.2 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Restaurant, Latino, arepa (unleavened cornmeal bread) (SR Legacy, FDC 168070). Available carbohydrate = total carbohydrate minus fiber.
Sources: Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, Buyken AE, Goletzke J. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(5):1625–1632. USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate each value: Methodology & sources.
Data last reviewed 2026-09-29.