Do you know that feeling? You simply want to eat a huge mountain of spaghetti without first calculating the carbohydrate content down to the individual noodle, or without then walking around with a large amount of active insulin in your body that gets in the way during sports or physical activity?
It was this exact wish that led us to add GI Pasta (also called GI noodles, with a GI of 38) to our range. Three varieties, all with a low glycemic index, high protein content and significantly more fiber than classic durum wheat noodles. Here’s my honest practical test as a woman with type 1 diabetes.
At a glance: GI Pasta in three varieties
The most important specs from the manufacturer’s information:
- Varieties: Spaghetti, Fusilli, Penne (250 g each)
- Glycemic index: 38 (= low; according to the manufacturer, regular durum wheat noodles have a GI of 55) [1]
- Protein content: 32% more than regular durum wheat pasta (penne and fusilli), 45% more (spaghetti)
- Fiber: 112% more (penne and fusilli), 146% more (spaghetti) than classic durum wheat noodles
- Taste and consistency: hardly any difference from regular pasta, identical firmness
- Ingredients: durum wheat flour, lupin flour and oat fiber, plus wheat gluten according to the manufacturer [1,2]
- Suitable for: low-carb diets, high-protein diets, low-glycemic diets
My self-test: 2 plates of spaghetti, bolus for only 3 BE
I’m Sonja, I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years, and I use a loop consisting of a Mylife Ypsopump and Dexcom G6 (via the Mylife CamAPS fx app). Here’s my practical test with GI Pasta:
For 2 large plates of spaghetti, without a pre-bolus interval (that is, without the classic pre-meal bolus 15 minutes before eating), I delivered only a bolus for 3 BE (= 36 g carbohydrates). The theoretical amount of carbs based on the package information would have been significantly higher.
What my glucose progression looked like afterward is shown in the screenshot from my app.
Important: this is my personal experience report, not a treatment recommendation. Every body reacts differently. Discuss your bolus calculation with your diabetes team.
What is in GI Pasta?
Three properties distinguish GI Pasta from classic noodles:
Low glycemic index (GI 38). The GI describes how quickly the carbohydrates in a food cause blood sugar to rise; a low value indicates a slower rise. According to the manufacturer, regular durum wheat noodles have a GI of 55, while GI Pasta has a GI of 38 [1].
High protein content. Depending on the variety, GI Pasta has between 32 and 45% more protein than regular pasta; the spaghetti contain 20 g per 100 g of dry product [2].
High fiber content. The fiber comes mainly from oats [2]. More than twice as much (112 to 146% more) compared with durum wheat pasta.
Which other noodles may be suitable for people with diabetes, such as whole-wheat noodles, is explained in the article GI Pasta: Low-Carb and High-Protein Noodles.
What does GI Pasta really taste like?
There is hardly any difference in taste compared with classic durum wheat pasta, which was the biggest surprise for us during the first test. Firmness, cooking time, sauce absorption: everything is as usual. Favorite recipes from our test kitchen: spaghetti Bolognese, fusilli with pesto, penne all'Arrabiata.
If you want to read the detailed product profile with all nutritional values and a step-by-step evaluation, you can find it in our main article our new blood-sugar-friendly low-carb noodles are here. You can find more low-carb foods overall in our low-carb range.
GI Pasta vs. regular spaghetti in comparison
The brief overview for a practical comparison:
| Property | Regular durum wheat spaghetti | GI Pasta (Zuckerschmuck) |
|---|---|---|
| Glycemic index | 55 (according to the manufacturer) | 38 (low) |
| Protein content | Standard | +32 to +45% more |
| Fiber | Standard | +112 to +146% more |
| Bolus practice (my experience) | full bolus, often a pre-bolus interval required | reduced bolus, no pre-bolus interval for me |
| Taste and consistency | familiar | nearly identical |
In my view, anyone who loves pasta and wants to try pasta with a low GI and more protein should try GI Pasta and clarify the bolus question with their diabetes team beforehand.
Frequently asked questions about GI Pasta
How much bolus do I need for one serving of GI Pasta?
I can't tell you that; discuss your bolus calculation with your diabetes team. During my test with Loop, I took a bolus for 3 carbohydrate exchanges for two large plates, without a pre-bolus interval. This is a personal experience, not a treatment recommendation.
What varieties are available?
Three varieties, 250 g per package: Spaghetti (bestseller), Fusilli, and Penne.
How does GI Pasta taste compared with regular pasta?
Surprisingly close to the original; that was also the consensus during the first family taste test. The firmness, cooking behavior, and sauce absorption are nearly identical to classic durum wheat pasta.
Is GI Pasta also suitable for people with type 2 diabetes or athletes?
According to the manufacturer, GI Pasta has a low glycemic index and more protein than classic pasta [1,2]. Discuss whether it suits your situation with your diabetes team or dietitian. The article Diabetes and sports explains what you can pay attention to when exercising with diabetes.
Is GI Pasta high in sugar?
No. According to the nutrition table, GI Spaghetti contain 4.9 g of sugar per 100 g of dry product, with 49 g of carbohydrates in total [2].
Is GI Pasta gluten-free, and does it contain Allergens?
No, it isn't gluten-free: It is made from durum wheat flour, and according to the manufacturer, wheat gluten is added. It also contains lupin flour. Cereals containing gluten and lupins are among the Ingredients that must be labelled as Allergens under EU law [1,2,3].
Where can I find more low-carb foods?
Our complete low-carb range brings together sugar-free sweets, pasta, snacks and more. For GI Pasta specifically, there is a more detailed profile in the companion article blood-sugar-friendly low-carb pasta.
Related topics
- Omega-3 fatty acids and diabetes: What the research says about potential benefits and limitations.
- Low-carb sweets for people with diabetes: Chocolate, gummy bears and cookies with few countable carbohydrates.
- The hypo box for emergencies: What it should contain and when it really helps.
Sources and notes
If you want to explore the topic in more depth:
- NISKI IG (manufacturer of GI Pasta). Product information and glycemic index. Available at: niskiig.pl/de and niskiig.pl (GI Pasta Spaghetti) [Accessed: 14.09.2026].
- Zuckerschmuck. GI Pasta Spaghetti, Fusilli and Penne: Ingredients and Nutrition facts according to the product page and packaging, for example GI Pasta Spaghetti.
- Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex II (substances or products causing allergies or intolerances). Available at: legislation.gov.uk [Zugriff: 14.09.2026].
Note: This article is my personal account and is not a substitute for medical or nutritional advice. If you have questions about bolus calculations or adjusting your treatment, please speak with your diabetes team.
Try GI Pasta in your favorite variety: Spaghetti · Fusilli · Penne
Best wishes, Sonja
