Bread and Diabetes: Carbs, Glycemic Index and Portions

By the Diabetes Blogs editorial teamLast reviewed October 22, 2026

A slice of white bread has about 14 g of carbohydrate (14 g net). Glycemic index: medium to high (59 to 88). Yes, in measured portions. Bread is a carbohydrate food, so the number of slices matters more than the brand.

Bread can fit into a diabetes meal plan. A slice of ordinary sandwich bread has a modest amount of carbohydrate, but a sandwich is two slices, and a bakery roll or a big slice of artisan loaf can be the equivalent of three or four.

Whole-grain breads usually have more fiber, and many people find they are more filling. Read the label for total carbohydrate per slice, since sizes vary a great deal from loaf to loaf.

Carbs in bread by portion

Nutrients for White bread by portion
Portion	Grams	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Net carbs (g)	Protein (g)
1 slice	29	14	0.8	14	2.6
100 g (for comparing foods)	100	49	2.7	47	8.8

Source: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 174924 (White bread). Net carbs here means carbohydrate minus fiber. “Net carbs” is not an FDA-defined term, so total carbs are shown too. Values are estimates for a typical item; brands, ripeness and size vary.

Glycemic index and glycemic load

Glycemic index59 to 88Medium to high

Glycemic load, a slice of white bread8 to 12Low to medium GL

GI ranks how fast a food raises blood glucose compared with pure glucose (100). Low is 55 or less, medium 56 to 69, high 70 or more. White bread values vary a lot from loaf to loaf and country to country. Glycemic load multiplies the index by the available carbohydrate in a portion (carbs minus fiber), so it reflects how much you actually eat: low is 10 or less, medium 11 to 19, high 20 or more.

Which published values we used (4)

Entry	Food as listed	GI
Suppl. Table 1, #235	White bread	59
Suppl. Table 1, #247	White bread	71
Suppl. Table 1, #253	White bread	74
Suppl. Table 1, #268	White bread	88

Atkinson FS et al. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021. Am J Clin Nutr 2021;114(5):1625-1632. Glucose reference (glucose = 100); values from studies that used white bread were converted by the authors. Where studies differ we show the range, not an average.

Glycemic index is only one piece of the picture. The same food can give a different response depending on ripeness, cooking, what you eat it with and your own body, so your meter or CGM is the best guide.

How bread fit the plate method

Bread count toward the carbohydrate quarter of the plate in the plate method, along with grains, starchy vegetables, fruit and milk. The CDC describes the plate method as half non-starchy vegetables, a quarter protein and a quarter carbohydrate foods. See the diabetic meal plan guide for how it works, or drop bread onto a meal in the meal planner to watch the plate fill.

Portion ideas and pairings

Count slices, not sandwiches.
Open-faced sandwiches use half the bread.
Look for the fiber number on the label when you pick a loaf.

Pairs well with: egg, avocado or nut butter, lean turkey with lots of vegetables, soup that is heavy on vegetables.

Related foods

Sweet potato

cup, cubes: 27 g carbs

Potato

Potato medium: 37 g carbs

White rice, cooked

cup: 45 g carbs

Quinoa, cooked

cup: 39 g carbs

See all foods and the low glycemic foods list

Frequently asked questions

Is whole wheat bread better than white?

It usually has more fiber, but the carbohydrate per slice can be similar. Compare labels, and let how you feel and your readings guide you.

How many carbs are in a slice of white bread?

About 14 g of carbohydrate, of which about 0.8 g is fiber, so roughly 14 g net carbs. Values are from USDA FoodData Central for 29 g and are estimates; brands and sizes vary.

Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.