Spinach glycemic index
Spinach has no measurable glycemic index: a 80 g serving (1 side portion) has only 1.1 g of available carbohydrate, so its glycemic load is about 0 and it barely raises blood sugar on its own.
Also known as: baby spinach
- Serving80 g
- Available carbs1.1 g
- Fiber1.8 g
- Sugars0.3 g
- Protein2.3 g
- Calories18 kcal
Serving: 1 side portion.
What to know
Spinach has almost no carbohydrate and a glycemic load close to zero. Leafy greens are one of the easiest ways to add volume to a meal without affecting blood sugar.
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Frequently asked questions
Does spinach have a glycemic index?
Not a measurable one. GI can only be tested in foods with enough carbohydrate: the test needs a 25 or 50 g carbohydrate portion. Spinach has 1.4 g per 100 g, so its direct effect on blood sugar is minimal and its glycemic load is about 0.
Does spinach raise blood sugar?
Barely, on its own. What matters more is what you eat it with: bread, rice, potatoes, sauces or sugary drinks. Pairing carbohydrate foods with protein, fat or fiber tends to soften the rise.
How many carbs are in spinach?
A 80 g serving has about 2.9 g of total carbohydrate, including 1.8 g of fiber, leaving 1.1 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 3.6 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (80 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 23 kcal | 18 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 3.6 g | 2.9 g |
| Available carbs | 1.4 g | 1.1 g |
| Fiber | 2.2 g | 1.8 g |
| Sugars | 0.4 g | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 2.9 g | 2.3 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g | 0.3 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Spinach, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 168462). 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.