Donut glycemic index
Donut has a glycemic index of 76, which is high. A 50 g serving (1 donut) has a glycemic load of 17 (medium).
Also known as: doughnut
- Serving50 g
- Available carbs23 g
- Fiber0.9 g
- Sugars9.1 g
- Protein2.7 g
- Calories217 kcal
Serving: 1 donut.
What to know
Donuts are high GI and combine refined flour, sugar and fried fat. Treat them as an occasional food rather than breakfast.
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 | 23 g | 17 | Medium |
| 100 g | 45 g | 35 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 76 is the median of 4 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (75 to 77).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 75 · Oman 2020
- 75 · China 2005
- 77 · Oman 2020
- 77 · Canada 1992
Donut compared with other sweets & desserts
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Frequently asked questions
Is donut low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 76, donut is in the high range (70 or more). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of donut?
A 50 g serving (1 donut) has a glycemic load of 17, 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 donut?
With a GI of 76 and a medium glycemic load per serving, donut 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 donut?
A 50 g serving has about 24 g of total carbohydrate, including 0.9 g of fiber, leaving 22.7 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 47.1 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (50 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 434 kcal | 217 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 47 g | 24 g |
| Available carbs | 45 g | 23 g |
| Fiber | 1.7 g | 0.9 g |
| Sugars | 18 g | 9.1 g |
| Protein | 5.3 g | 2.7 g |
| Fat | 25 g | 12 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Doughnuts, cake-type, plain (includes unsugared, old-fashioned) (SR Legacy, FDC 174990). 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.