Mars bar glycemic index
Mars bar has a glycemic index of 65, which is medium. A 60 g serving (1 regular bar) has a glycemic load of 27 (high).
Also known as: Milky Way bar (US), caramel nougat bar
- Serving60 g
- Available carbs42 g
- Fiber0.6 g
- Sugars36 g
- Protein2.4 g
- Calories274 kcal
Serving: 1 regular bar.
What to know
Mars bars tested medium GI with a high glycemic load per bar. Caramel and nougat are mostly sugar.
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 | 35 g | 23 | High |
| 100 g | 70 g | 46 | High |
| 60 g · 1 regular bar | 42 g | 27 | High |
| 120 g · double serving | 84 g | 55 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 65 is the median of 2 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (62 to 68).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 62 · Australia 1997
- 68 · USA 1981
Mars bar compared with other sweets & desserts
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Frequently asked questions
Is mars bar low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 65, mars bar is in the medium range (56 to 69). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of mars bar?
A 60 g serving (1 regular bar) has a glycemic load of 27, 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 mars bar?
With a GI of 65 and a high glycemic load per serving, mars bar 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 mars bar?
A 60 g serving has about 43 g of total carbohydrate, including 0.6 g of fiber, leaving 42.1 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 71.2 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (60 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 456 kcal | 274 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 71 g | 43 g |
| Available carbs | 70 g | 42 g |
| Fiber | 1 g | 0.6 g |
| Sugars | 60 g | 36 g |
| Protein | 4 g | 2.4 g |
| Fat | 17 g | 10 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, MILKY WAY Bar (SR Legacy, FDC 168756). 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.