Cherry Strudel: A Sweet Dessert with Moderate Glycemic Impact

Cherry strudel is a delicious pastry with Eastern European origins, featuring a flaky crust wrapped around sweet cherry filling. While it’s a tempting treat, it’s important to understand how it affects blood sugar levels if you’re monitoring your glycemic response.

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load

Cherry strudel has a Glycemic Index (GI) of 59, placing it in the medium GI category. Foods with a GI between 56-69 are considered moderate in terms of how quickly they raise blood sugar levels.

However, what’s more important to consider is the Glycemic Load (GL) of 23.42 for a 100g serving. This GL value is considered high (anything above 20 is high), indicating that despite its moderate GI, a typical serving of cherry strudel will have a significant impact on blood glucose levels.

Nutritional Profile of Cherry Strudel (100g serving)

• Calories: 296
• Protein: 2.22g
• Fat: 14.1g
• Carbohydrates: 40.7g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 24.8g
• Net Carbs: 39.7g

Understanding Cherry Strudel’s Impact on Blood Sugar

With nearly 25g of sugar per 100g serving, cherry strudel derives a significant portion of its carbohydrates from simple sugars. Combined with its relatively low fiber content (only 1g), this explains why it has a moderate to high impact on blood glucose levels despite containing cherries, which on their own have a lower GI.

The high net carbs (39.7g) and high glycemic load make cherry strudel a dessert that should be consumed in moderation, especially for individuals with diabetes or those watching their blood sugar levels.

Tips for Including Cherry Strudel in a Glycemic-Aware Diet

• Consider reducing your portion size to lower the overall glycemic impact
• Pair with a source of protein or healthy fat to slow digestion and reduce blood sugar spikes
• Opt for homemade versions where you can control the sugar content
• Choose whole grain pastry alternatives when possible to increase the fiber content
• Consider this an occasional treat rather than a regular dessert option

Bottom Line

Cherry strudel, with its moderate GI but high GL, is a dessert that will have a notable impact on blood sugar levels. While it can be enjoyed occasionally as part of a balanced diet, those monitoring their glycemic response should be mindful of portion sizes and frequency of consumption.

For those looking for lower glycemic alternatives, consider fresh cherries (which have a lower GI on their own) or strudels made with lower-sugar fillings and whole grain crusts.