Parsnip glycemic index
Parsnip has a glycemic index of 74, which is high. A 80 g serving (1 side portion) has a glycemic load of 8 (low).
- Serving80 g
- Available carbs11 g
- Fiber2.9 g
- Sugars3.8 g
- Protein1.1 g
- Calories57 kcal
Serving: 1 side portion.
What to know
Parsnips are one of the higher-GI root vegetables. Mixing them with lower-GI vegetables like carrots or celeriac in a roast keeps the overall glycemic load moderate.
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 | 6.7 g | 5 | Low |
| 100 g | 13 g | 10 | Low |
| 80 g · 1 side portion | 11 g | 8 | Low |
| 160 g · double serving | 21 g | 16 | Medium |
What the studies found
The value of 74 is the median of 2 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results range from 52 to 97. 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.
- 52 · Australia 2007
- 97 · Canada 1981
Parsnip compared with other vegetables & tubers
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Frequently asked questions
Is parsnip low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 74, parsnip is in the high range (70 or more). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of parsnip?
A 80 g serving (1 side portion) has a glycemic load of 8, which is low. 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 parsnip?
With a GI of 74 and a low glycemic load per serving, parsnip usually fits a diabetes-friendly diet in normal portions. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in parsnip?
A 80 g serving has about 14 g of total carbohydrate, including 2.9 g of fiber, leaving 10.7 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 17 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (80 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 71 kcal | 57 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g | 14 g |
| Available carbs | 13 g | 11 g |
| Fiber | 3.6 g | 2.9 g |
| Sugars | 4.8 g | 3.8 g |
| Protein | 1.3 g | 1.1 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g | 0.2 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Parsnips, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt (SR Legacy, FDC 170009). 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.