Pita bread glycemic index
Pita bread has a glycemic index of 68, which is medium. A 60 g serving (1 pita) has a glycemic load of 22 (high).
Also known as: pitta, Arabic bread, flatbread
- Serving60 g
- Available carbs32 g
- Fiber1.3 g
- Sugars0.8 g
- Protein5.5 g
- Calories165 kcal
Serving: 1 pita.
What to know
White pita and Arabic flatbreads have a medium GI. Whole wheat pita filled with hummus, salad and protein makes a much lower-GL meal than pita on its own.
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 | 18 | Medium |
| 100 g | 54 g | 36 | High |
| 60 g · 1 pita | 32 g | 22 | High |
| 120 g · double serving | 64 g | 44 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 68 is the median of 4 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results are fairly consistent (56 to 69).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 56 · UK 2005
- 67 · UAE 2017
- 68 · UK 2005
- 69 · UK 2005
Pita bread compared with other bread & bakery
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Frequently asked questions
Is pita bread low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 68, pita bread is in the medium range (56 to 69). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of pita bread?
A 60 g serving (1 pita) 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 pita bread?
With a GI of 68 and a high glycemic load per serving, pita bread 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 pita bread?
A 60 g serving has about 33 g of total carbohydrate, including 1.3 g of fiber, leaving 32.1 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 55.7 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (60 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 275 kcal | 165 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g | 33 g |
| Available carbs | 54 g | 32 g |
| Fiber | 2.2 g | 1.3 g |
| Sugars | 1.3 g | 0.8 g |
| Protein | 9.1 g | 5.5 g |
| Fat | 1.2 g | 0.7 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Bread, pita, white, enriched (SR Legacy, FDC 174915). 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.