Glycemic Load (GL)
A measure considering both glycemic index and the amount of carbohydrate in a serving.
Updated
Glycemic load accounts for both the glycemic index and the quantity of carbohydrate in a typical serving. This is more practical than GI alone - watermelon has high GI but low GL because a serving contains few carbs. GL = (GI × grams of carbs) / 100. Low GL is under 10; high is over 20.
Examples
- Watermelon: high GI but low GL
- White bread: high GI and high GL
- More practical than GI alone
Related Terms
Common questions
What is GL?
A measure considering both glycemic index and the amount of carbohydrate in a serving. Glycemic load accounts for both the glycemic index and the quantity of carbohydrate in a typical serving.
What are examples of GL?
Watermelon: high GI but low GL; White bread: high GI and high GL; More practical than GI alone.
Put it into practice
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