Lemon Pie: A Sweet Treat with Moderate Glycemic Impact

Lemon pie is a popular dessert known for its tangy sweetness and creamy texture. While delicious, it’s important to understand how this treat affects your blood sugar levels, especially if you’re managing conditions like diabetes or simply watching your carbohydrate intake.

Glycemic Index and Load of Lemon Pie

Glycemic Index (GI): 59

With a GI of 59, lemon pie falls into the medium glycemic index category. This means it causes a moderate rise in blood sugar levels compared to pure glucose (which has a GI of 100).

Glycemic Load (GL): 18.17

The glycemic load takes into account both the quality (GI) and quantity of carbohydrates. A GL of 18.17 is considered moderate to high, indicating that a typical serving of lemon pie will have a notable impact on blood sugar levels.

Nutritional Profile per 100g Serving

• Calories: 280
• Protein: 2.41g
• Fat: 16.2g
• Total Carbohydrates: 31.5g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.7g
• Sugar: 18.4g
• Net Carbs: 30.8g

What This Means For Your Diet

Lemon pie is relatively high in calories and carbohydrates, with a significant portion coming from sugars. The fat content is also substantial, likely from the buttery crust and possibly cream in the filling.

The low fiber content (0.7g) means that most of the carbohydrates will be readily absorbed, explaining the moderate to high glycemic impact. The net carb content of 30.8g indicates that a single serving provides a significant amount of digestible carbohydrates.

Considerations for Special Diets

For Diabetics: The moderate GI and relatively high GL suggest that people with diabetes should consume lemon pie in small portions and perhaps as part of a meal that includes protein and fiber to slow down carbohydrate absorption.

For Low-Carb Dieters: With 30.8g of net carbs per 100g serving, lemon pie represents a significant carb investment that may exceed daily limits for strict low-carb or ketogenic diets.

For Weight Management: At 280 calories per 100g, lemon pie is energy-dense. Portion control is important if you’re watching your calorie intake.

Healthier Alternatives

If you enjoy lemon desserts but want options with less impact on blood sugar, consider:

• Sugar-free lemon pudding
• Greek yogurt with lemon zest and a small amount of honey
• Homemade lemon pie with almond flour crust and reduced-sugar filling
• Lemon-infused chia seed pudding

Conclusion

Lemon pie can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in a balanced diet, but its moderate glycemic index, substantial glycemic load, and relatively high calorie and carbohydrate content mean it should be consumed mindfully, especially by those monitoring their blood sugar levels or managing their weight.

Remember that portion size is key – the nutritional information provided is based on a 100g serving, which may be smaller than a typical restaurant or homemade slice of lemon pie.