Banana bread glycemic index
Banana bread has a glycemic index of 50, which is low. A 60 g serving (1 slice) has a glycemic load of 16 (medium).
Also known as: banana cake, banana loaf
- Serving60 g
- Available carbs32 g
- Fiber0.7 g
- Sugars—
- Protein2.6 g
- Calories196 kcal
Serving: 1 slice.
What to know
Banana bread tested low GI, but a thick café slice carries a lot of sugar and flour. Homemade versions with oat flour, less sugar and walnuts are gentler.
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 | 27 g | 13 | Medium |
| 100 g | 54 g | 27 | High |
| 60 g · 1 slice | 32 g | 16 | Medium |
| 120 g · double serving | 64 g | 32 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 50 is the median of 4 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (36 to 55).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 36 · Canada 2009
- 47 · Australia 1994
- 54 · Canada 2009
- 55 · Australia 1994
Banana bread compared with other sweets & desserts
Similar low-GI foods
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Frequently asked questions
Is banana bread low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 50, banana bread is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of banana bread?
A 60 g serving (1 slice) has a glycemic load of 16, 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 banana bread?
With a GI of 50 and a medium glycemic load per serving, banana bread 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 banana bread?
A 60 g serving has about 33 g of total carbohydrate, including 0.7 g of fiber, leaving 32.1 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 54.6 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (60 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 326 kcal | 196 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g | 33 g |
| Available carbs | 54 g | 32 g |
| Fiber | 1.1 g | 0.7 g |
| Sugars | — | — |
| Protein | 4.3 g | 2.6 g |
| Fat | 11 g | 6.3 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Bread, banana, prepared from recipe, made with margarine (SR Legacy, FDC 174906). 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.