Jelly beans glycemic index
Jelly beans has a glycemic index of 78, which is high. A 30 g serving (a small handful) has a glycemic load of 22 (high).
Also known as: gummies, gummy candy, jelly sweets
- Serving30 g
- Available carbs28 g
- Fiber0.1 g
- Sugars21 g
- Protein0 g
- Calories113 kcal
Serving: a small handful.
What to know
Jelly beans are almost pure sugar and starch with no fat or fiber, so they are high GI (around 78). That speed is why people with diabetes sometimes use them to treat a low.
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 | 47 g | 36 | High |
| 100 g | 93 g | 73 | High |
| 30 g · a small handful | 28 g | 22 | High |
| 60 g · double serving | 56 g | 44 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 78 is the median of 2 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (76 to 80).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 76 · Australia 1998
- 80 · Australia 1994
Jelly beans compared with other sweets & desserts
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Frequently asked questions
Is jelly beans low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 78, jelly beans is in the high range (70 or more). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of jelly beans?
A 30 g serving (a small handful) has a glycemic load of 22, which is high. 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 jelly beans?
With a GI of 78 and a high glycemic load per serving, jelly beans is best eaten in smaller portions alongside protein, fat or vegetables, or swapped for a lower-GI option. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in jelly beans?
A 30 g serving has about 28 g of total carbohydrate, including 0.1 g of fiber, leaving 28 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 93.6 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (30 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 375 kcal | 113 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 94 g | 28 g |
| Available carbs | 93 g | 28 g |
| Fiber | 0.2 g | 0.1 g |
| Sugars | 70 g | 21 g |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g | 0 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Candies, jellybeans (SR Legacy, FDC 167991). 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.