Turnip Glycemic Index
Medium GI · The honest verdict
A moderate blood-sugar rise
Glycemic index
30–62
reported range
Glycemic load
6
Low GL
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.
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.
Boiled turnip GI is approximately 62 — just over the low-GI threshold, placing it in the medium-GI category.
A glycemic load of 10 or below is classified as low — turnip's GL of ~6 per cup is well within that range.
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
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.
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.
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 spikeRaw 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 GIBoiling 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 GIMashed 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 GIRoasting 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.
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Reviewed by
Curex Editorial TeamReviewed for accuracy
Last reviewed July 2026