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Glycemic index & loadReviewed July 2026

Turnip Glycemic Index

Medium GI · The honest verdict

A moderate blood-sugar rise

Glycemic index

30–62

reported range

Glycemic load

6

Low GL

Low 05570100 High

This food's glycemic index is 30–62, which is Medium GI.

Turnip is a reasonable choice for blood sugar management, especially as a lower-carb alternative to potato. Its glycemic load per serving is low, though cooked turnip's GI is in the medium range. This is general nutrition information, not medical advice — people with diabetes should confirm dietary choices with their care team.

Vegetable1 cup (130 g), boiled, cubedSee full nutrition

GI numbers vary by source, ripeness, and how a food is prepared. This is general nutrition information — not medical advice. If you manage diabetes, confirm specifics with your care team.

Key facts

  • Turnip has about 60% fewer carbs per cup than boiled potato — making it a popular lower-carb root vegetable swap.

    USDA FoodData Central

  • Boiled turnip GI is approximately 62 — just over the low-GI threshold, placing it in the medium-GI category.

    University of Sydney GI Database

  • A glycemic load of 10 or below is classified as low — turnip's GL of ~6 per cup is well within that range.

    Harvard Health Publishing

Nutrition breakdown

What's actually inside

Per 100 g, with your typical serving noted as 1 cup (130 g), boiled, cubed. The carb family is what moves blood sugar — fiber is the number that softens the spike.

Total carbs

7.8g

Net carbs

5.7g

total carbs minus fiber

Fiber

2.1g

slows the glucose rise

Sugars
4.6g
Protein
1.1g
Calories
34kcal

Notable nutrients

  • Vitamin C18 mg
  • Potassium211 mg
  • Folate14 mcg
  • Calcium39 mg
  • Manganese0.1 mg
Diabetes-friendliness

Is it a smart choice for blood sugar?

GI is only half the story — portion (glycemic load) and what you eat it with decide the real-world effect. Here's the honest read.

The verdict

Generally blood-sugar-friendly — lower carb than potato

Turnip is a reasonable choice for blood sugar management, especially as a lower-carb alternative to potato. Its glycemic load per serving is low, though cooked turnip's GI is in the medium range. This is general nutrition information, not medical advice — people with diabetes should confirm dietary choices with their care team.

Portion guidance

A cup of boiled turnip has about 5.7 g of net carbs and a glycemic load of roughly 6 — solidly in the low GL range. Most people can eat a full cup-sized serving without significant blood sugar concern. Mashed turnip, while a popular potato substitute, may push the GI higher, so serving in chunks is the lower-impact approach.

Typical serving: 1 cup (130 g), boiled, cubed

This is general nutrition information, not personal medical advice. Blood sugar responses are individual — if you have diabetes or prediabetes, your care team can tell you how this fits your plan.

Prep & pairing

How to keep the spike small

The same food can land differently depending on how it's cooked and what it's eaten with. Use these levers to your advantage.

Eating raw (grated in salads)

Lowers the spike

Raw turnip has the lowest GI estimate (around 30) because its firm cell structure slows starch digestion significantly. Some recipes use raw shredded turnip as a slaw or salad component.

Boiling in chunks

Raises GI

Boiling raises GI to around 62 as starch gelatinizes and fiber softens. This is the most common cooking method and the basis of the medium classification.

Mashing

Raises GI

Mashed turnip, often used as a potato substitute, further disrupts cell structure and may push the effective GI above 62. Use chunked preparations for a lower blood sugar response.

Roasting

Raises GI

Roasting caramelizes surface sugars in turnip, which can modestly raise GI compared to boiling. The effect depends on cut size — larger pieces roasted briefly fare better.

Pairing tip

Turnip works well alongside protein-rich foods like grilled chicken, lamb, or legumes. Use turnip chunks in stews where the cooking liquid is not heavily starchy, or roast with olive oil and herbs. As a mashed potato substitute, pair with a generous protein serving to offset any GI elevation from the mashing process.

Why GI numbers vary

Turnip's GI data is limited in the published literature but has been formally tested in a small number of studies. The University of Sydney database includes a cooked turnip value around 62. Raw turnip — used less commonly — appears to have a notably lower GI, estimated around 30, due to its intact cell structure. We report the honest range (30–62) across preparations and classify the cooked form as medium, which is the most relevant culinary benchmark.

Not medical advice. This page is general nutrition information about Turnip. It isn't a diagnosis or a treatment plan. If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or another condition affecting blood sugar, confirm any dietary decisions with your doctor or care team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Turnip's GI ranges from roughly 30 (raw) to 62 (boiled), making it low-to-medium depending on preparation. The cooked form, which is most commonly eaten, sits at around 62 — just above the low-GI threshold of 55. The glycemic load per cup of boiled turnip is about 6, which is firmly in the low GL range. Turnip is a lower-carb, lower-GI alternative to potato.

Turnip is a reasonable choice for people managing blood sugar. Its glycemic load per serving is low, and it provides significantly fewer carbs than potato. Preparing it in chunks rather than mashing keeps the GI lower. It is not as freely eaten as non-starchy vegetables but is well-suited for controlled portions. People with diabetes should confirm dietary guidance with their care team — this is general nutrition information.

Turnip has fewer carbs and a lower glycemic load than most potato preparations. A cup of boiled turnip has about 5.7 g of net carbs versus roughly 26 g for the same amount of boiled potato. Turnip's GI of about 62 is also lower than boiled potato, which typically ranges from 60–90. This makes turnip a genuinely useful lower-carb potato substitute for blood sugar management.

Turnip greens are a separate part of the plant and are non-starchy leafy greens with essentially zero glycemic impact. They are rich in vitamins K, A, and C and can be eaten freely from a blood sugar standpoint. If you are using the whole plant — rooting vegetable plus greens — the root is the part that requires portion awareness.

Turnip is moderately low in carbs — about 5.7 g net carbs per cup of boiled turnip — and fits well into most low-carb diets. On standard low-carb plans, a cup fits comfortably. On strict keto (under 20–30 g net carbs daily), a cup of turnip uses around 20–30% of the daily carb budget, so portion tracking is helpful. It is notably more keto-friendly than potato.

Eating well is easier when allergies aren't in the way

Curex helps people find and treat the allergies behind everyday symptoms with at-home testing and immunotherapy. If food or seasonal allergies make eating well harder than it should be, that's where we can help — no pressure, just here if you need it.

Curex focuses on allergies — not diabetes or blood-sugar care. For blood sugar, your primary care team is the right place to start.

Reviewed by

Curex Editorial TeamReviewed for accuracy

Last reviewed July 2026

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