Tortilla chips glycemic index
Tortilla chips has a glycemic index of 72, which is high. A 50 g serving (1 small bag) has a glycemic load of 23 (high).
Also known as: corn chips, nachos
- Serving50 g
- Available carbs31 g
- Fiber2.7 g
- Sugars0.4 g
- Protein3.6 g
- Calories236 kcal
Serving: 1 small bag.
What to know
Corn chips tested high GI on average and a bag carries a large glycemic load. Salsa, guacamole and beans make a better-balanced snack than chips alone.
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 | 31 g | 22 | High |
| 100 g | 62 g | 45 | High |
What the studies found
The value of 72 is the median of 3 published measurements in the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021). Results range from 42 to 75. 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.
- 42 · Australia 1998
- 72 · Australia 1984
- 75 · Canada 1992
Tortilla chips compared with other snacks & crackers
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Frequently asked questions
Is tortilla chips low glycemic?
No. With a GI of 72, tortilla chips is in the high range (70 or more). Low GI is 55 or less.
What is the glycemic load of tortilla chips?
A 50 g serving (1 small bag) has a glycemic load of 23, 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 tortilla chips?
With a GI of 72 and a high glycemic load per serving, tortilla chips 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 tortilla chips?
A 50 g serving has about 34 g of total carbohydrate, including 2.7 g of fiber, leaving 31.2 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 67.8 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (50 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 472 kcal | 236 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g | 34 g |
| Available carbs | 62 g | 31 g |
| Fiber | 5.4 g | 2.7 g |
| Sugars | 0.8 g | 0.4 g |
| Protein | 7.1 g | 3.6 g |
| Fat | 21 g | 10 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Snacks, tortilla chips, plain, white corn, salted (SR Legacy, FDC 167558). 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.