GI Pasta: Low-carb pasta with a low glycemic index for diabetes
Pasta for people with diabetes: Enjoy without regret
You may know the feeling: you're craving pasta, but the thought of high blood glucose levels afterward already ruins your appetite. Classic pasta usually has a high glycemic index, which means it quickly drives up blood glucose levels and often causes them to drop quickly afterward. Fortunately, there are alternatives such as our GI Pasta, which you can now find at Zuckerschmuck.
What exactly is GI Pasta?
GI Pasta is a special type of pasta with a low glycemic index. This means that its carbohydrates are absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly than those in foods with a high glycemic index. According to the manufacturer, GI Pasta has a glycemic index of 38 and a glycemic load of 8. GI Pasta contains between 32% (Penne and Fusilli) and 45% (Spaghetti) more protein than regular spaghetti. The noodles also contain between 112% (Penne and Fusilli) and 146% more fiber than durum wheat pasta.
Preferring carbohydrate-rich foods with a low GI is part of the DDG practical recommendations for nutritional therapy in type 1 diabetes 2024 [1]. A review on GI reduction in type 2 diabetes also confirms that low-glycemic foods can significantly moderate the postprandial glucose response (= the rise in blood glucose after eating) [2].
The benefits of our low-carb and protein pasta for people with diabetes at a glance
1. Low glycemic index plus high protein content
The glycemic index describes how quickly the carbohydrates in a food cause blood glucose levels to rise; a low value indicates a slower increase. This is not only interesting for people with diabetes, but also for athletes who need an additional portion of protein to build muscle. Under EU Regulation 432/2012, the following statements are approved: “Protein contributes to the growth of muscle mass” and “Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass” [4].
Here you can see our Sonja's glucose progression after she tested the GI Pasta herself. The practical test: 2 large plates of spaghetti, without a pre-bolus interval and with a bolus for 3 BE (= 36 g carbs). The image below shows what her glucose progression looked like afterward.
Important: Sonja's personal account is an individual test, not a therapy recommendation. Individual values may vary. Discuss your bolus calculation with your diabetes team.
2. High fiber content
The pasta contains valuable fiber that keeps you feeling full and has a positive effect on digestion. Specifically, it contains between 112% (penne and fusilli) and 146% more fiber than durum wheat noodles. Fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates into the bloodstream and, according to diabetesDE, is one of the key components of a diabetes-friendly diet. According to diabetesDE, at least 30 g per day is recommended; for type 2 diabetes, the target is 40 g [3].
3. The nutrition facts in detail
Spaghetti and fusilli provide 49 g of carbohydrates, 18 g of fiber, and 20 g of protein per 100 g of dry product, according to the nutrition facts. Once cooked, they contain 20 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of noodles, making it easy to calculate the portion on your plate.
4. Classic pasta taste
Our GI Pasta tastes similar to classic pasta. We tested it ourselves, and the kids also gave it their verdict: “tastes like regular noodles.”
5. Versatile in the kitchen
Whether as spaghetti Bolognese, pasta salad, or a side dish: you can prepare GI Pasta just like regular pasta. Practical tip: cook it al dente, because soft-cooked pasta has a higher glycemic index than pasta cooked until firm to the bite. According to the manufacturer, the stated GI value only applies to the cooking time on the package, which is 7 minutes for the penne.
6. For the whole family
The pasta is not only beneficial for people with diabetes. Kids and partners can also eat along without having to cook an extra meal, while taking in more fiber and protein in the process.
7. Three varieties to choose from
Our GI Pasta comes in three varieties. Which is your favorite noodle?
- Spaghetti: GI PASTA SPAGHETTI Low Carb + High Protein Noodles 250g
- Fusilli: GI PASTA FUSILLI Low Carb + High Protein Noodles 250g
- Penne: GI PASTA PENNE Low Carb + High Protein Noodles 250g
A tip from the Zuckerschmuck kitchen
Why not try our GI Pasta with a fresh tomato sauce or a protein-rich lentil Bolognese? That way, your dish stays low-glycemic while also becoming a nutrient highlight.
Another idea: Have you already seen our large selection of recipe books? Here you’ll find recipes and inspiration for delicious pasta sauces and many other dishes that suit a low-glycemic diet: Books at Zuckerschmuck.
You can read about how enjoyment and motivation in everyday life are connected with diabetes in our article Mental health and motivation with diabetes.
Frequently asked questions about pasta and diabetes
Can people with diabetes eat pasta?
Yes, you can eat pasta even if you have diabetes. It isn’t forbidden; you just need a proper portion carbohydrates and therefore need to be included in the calculation. This is where GI Pasta comes in fewer countable carbohydrates and more protein for the same plate size.
Is whole-wheat pasta better for people with diabetes?
Whole-wheat pasta is usually better than classic light-colored pasta because it contains more fiber they contain, and your blood sugar therefore rises more slowly. However, they remain a carbohydrate-rich food. GI Pasta goes one step further by also increases the protein content and lowers the carbohydrates that can be counted. Those who If you like whole-wheat pasta, you can alternate between the two; what matters is how your blood sugar responds says.
What other pasta products are suitable?
In addition to the three varieties above, we carry other blood-sugar-friendly foods in in the Low Carb collection. What matters for all pasta products, as the nutrition facts differ depending on the variety.
Does pasta contain a lot of sugar?
No. According to the nutrition facts, GI Pasta contains 4.9 g of sugar per 100 g of dry product and 0.9 g per 100 g of cooked pasta, with 49 and 20 g of carbohydrates respectively. For carbohydrate calculations, the total carbohydrates count, not just the sugar content.
Is GI Pasta gluten-free?
No. According to the manufacturer, it consists of durum wheat flour, lupin flour, oat fiber and wheat gluten, and is produced in a facility that also processes eggs. If you need to eat gluten-free, choose a different variety.
Is it Diabetes or Diabetis?
The correct spelling is Diabetes, from diabetes mellitus. “Diabetis” is a common spelling mistake, the same thing is meant. We’re including it here once so that you might also end up here when the keyboard was faster than your brain.
Relevant to the topic
- Neoh chocolate with no added sugar: Bars, wafers and chocolate bars with 2 to 3 g of countable carbohydrates.
- Ice cream with diabetes: What is really in the scoop and how to plan for it.
- Diabetes and exercise: Stay fit while keeping your blood sugar under control.
Sources
- Skurk T, Krämer-Pickler E, Bosy-Westphal A, et al. Nutritional therapy for type 1 diabetes. Diabetologie und Stoffwechsel 2024;19(S 02). Practical recommendations of the German Diabetes Association. Available at: DDG Practical Recommendations for Nutritional Therapy 2024 (PDF).
- Vlachos D, Malisova S, Lindberg FA, Karaniki G. Glycemic Index (GI) or Glycemic Load (GL) and Dietary Interventions for Optimizing Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Patients with T2 Diabetes: A Review. Nutrients 2020;12(6):1561. Available at: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7352659.
- diabetesDE, German Diabetes Aid. What are dietary fibres? Patient information with DGE/DDG recommendation of 30 g per day. Available at: diabetesde.org/ballaststoffe.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to protein and increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake (ID 414, 616, 730), and growth or maintenance of muscle mass (ID 415, 417, 593). EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1811. Plus EU Regulation 432/2012 with the list of authorised health claims. Available at: EFSA Journal 2010 (PDF) and EU Regulation 432/2012 (DE).
Note: This article describes the manufacturer's product properties and is not a substitute for medical or nutritional advice. If you have questions about bolus calculation or individual suitability, please speak with your diabetes team. Please follow the consumption recommendation on the product packaging.
