What is 50 Grams of Glucose Equivalent To?

December 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Daily Value for added sugars is 50 grams, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Understanding what is 50 grams of glucose equivalent to is crucial, particularly for individuals undergoing a glucose tolerance test or managing blood sugar levels.

Quick Summary

A 50-gram dose of glucose, often used for gestational diabetes screening, is equivalent to specific portions of certain sugary foods. Exploring these equivalents and healthier alternatives is important for managing dietary intake and blood sugar.

Key Points

Equivalents Vary: The rapid-acting 50-gram glucose solution used for medical testing is equivalent to the carbohydrates in roughly 28 jelly beans or just under a 20-ounce cola.
Caloric Content: 50 grams of glucose contains approximately 200 calories, as carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram.
Simple vs. Complex Carbs: Pure glucose causes a rapid blood sugar spike, unlike complex carbohydrates found in whole foods like fruits and whole grains, which are absorbed more slowly due to their fiber content.
Purpose of the Test: The 50-gram glucose challenge test is primarily used as a screening tool for gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
Food Alternatives: For dietary management, healthier 50-gram carbohydrate alternatives include whole grains, fruits, and legumes, which provide fiber and other nutrients.
Daily Value: The FDA recommends a Daily Value of 50 grams of added sugars, based on a 2,000-calorie diet, which is an important metric for general nutritional awareness.

Understanding the 50-Gram Glucose Challenge

In a clinical setting, particularly during pregnancy for a gestational diabetes screening, a patient is asked to consume a 50-gram glucose beverage. This concentrated dose of sugar is used to measure how the body processes glucose over a short period. For those who dislike the taste of the standard 'glucola' drink, or simply wish to understand the nutritional impact, knowing the equivalents in everyday foods is a helpful exercise. The rapid consumption and absorption of pure glucose or simple sugars have a distinct effect on blood sugar compared to complex carbohydrates found in whole foods.

Why Equivalence Matters

For many, visualizing 50 grams of glucose in terms of everyday items provides a clearer picture of the sugar load. This is especially relevant for those managing blood sugar, such as people with diabetes or prediabetes, as it helps with dietary planning and understanding the impact of different foods. While a medical professional will always provide the official test solution, this knowledge helps contextualize the challenge and daily sugar consumption.

Common Equivalents for 50 Grams of Glucose

Reaching 50 grams of glucose or simple carbohydrates can be surprisingly easy with processed foods and sugary drinks. Here are some common examples:

Sugary Soda: Just under a 20-ounce bottle of cola contains approximately 50 grams of sugar.
Jelly Beans: Studies have shown that consuming about 28 jelly beans can provide an equivalent 50-gram carbohydrate load for gestational diabetes screening.
Table Sugar: Roughly 4 tablespoons of granulated white sugar is equivalent to 50 grams of added sugar.
Glucose Tablets: For individuals with diabetes needing to raise low blood sugar, about 50 grams of glucose tablets would provide approximately 200 calories.
Twizzlers: One study estimated that 10 strawberry-flavored Twizzlers delivered a 50-gram equivalent of sugar.

How Your Body Processes Different Carbs

Not all carbohydrate sources are created equal in how they affect blood sugar. The glycemic index (GI) and load (GL) are measures used to rank carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose levels. Simple sugars like pure glucose are absorbed very quickly, causing a sharp spike. In contrast, complex carbohydrates from sources like whole grains and vegetables are digested more slowly due to their fiber content, leading to a more gradual rise in blood sugar.

Comparison Table: 50g Glucose vs. Common Food Equivalents


Food Item	Approximate Serving Size for 50g Carbohydrate/Glucose	Nutritional Context
Glucose Solution (for test)	10-ounce beverage	Pure glucose, rapidly absorbed, no fiber
Sugary Soda	Under a 20-ounce bottle	High in simple, added sugars, no fiber
Jelly Beans	28 pieces	High in simple, added sugars, no fiber
Table Sugar	4 tablespoons	Pure sucrose, rapidly absorbed
White Rice	Approx. 1 cup cooked	High glycemic index, less rapid than pure glucose
Banana	Approx. 1 large banana	Contains natural sugars and some fiber
Whole Wheat Bread	Approx. 3 slices	Complex carbs, fiber slows absorption
Apple	Approx. 2 large apples	Contains natural sugars, high fiber content slows absorption

Healthier Alternatives to a 50g Glucose Load

While the 50-gram glucose test requires a specific, standardized solution, understanding healthier ways to get carbohydrates is vital for daily nutrition. Instead of relying on sources that cause a rapid blood sugar spike, opting for foods that provide sustained energy is recommended. This involves choosing complex carbohydrates and sources with natural sugars combined with fiber.

Whole Grains: Brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, and whole wheat bread offer complex carbohydrates that are released slowly into the bloodstream.
Fruits: Apples, berries, and bananas contain natural sugars along with crucial fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are excellent sources of both complex carbs and fiber.
Vegetables: Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and non-starchy options provide carbohydrates in a fiber-rich package.

Managing Blood Sugar

For individuals with diabetes or prediabetes, managing blood sugar involves more than just counting grams of glucose. It requires careful consideration of the type of carbohydrate, portion sizes, and pairing them with protein and healthy fats to slow absorption. Regular monitoring and consulting with a healthcare provider are essential for creating an effective dietary plan.

Conclusion

Knowing what is 50 grams of glucose equivalent to can demystify the amount of sugar present in many common foods and drinks. Whether for a medical test or for dietary awareness, this measurement highlights the impact of simple versus complex carbohydrates on the body. From the concentrated, rapid-absorption glucose solution used in medical testing to the fiber-rich, sustained energy from whole foods, understanding these equivalencies empowers individuals to make informed choices about their health and manage blood sugar effectively. Always consult a healthcare professional for guidance on specific medical conditions, including preparing for a glucose challenge test.

Recommended Resource

For more detailed information on managing carbohydrate intake, particularly for individuals with diabetes, the official guidelines from the American Diabetes Association are an authoritative source. They provide comprehensive resources on nutrition, meal planning, and managing blood sugar levels through diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 50-gram glucose beverage is typically used for the glucose challenge test, a screening procedure for gestational diabetes that is performed on pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

While glucose is a type of sugar, not all sugars are glucose. A 50-gram glucose dose specifically refers to the simple sugar glucose, whereas 50 grams of table sugar (sucrose) is half glucose and half fructose, and other foods contain different sugar types or complex carbohydrates.

There are approximately 200 calories in 50 grams of glucose, as carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram.

For the official medical test, you must consume the specific glucose solution provided by your healthcare provider. Some studies have explored alternatives like jelly beans, but this should only be done under the direct guidance of a doctor.

The body absorbs pure glucose very quickly, causing a sharp and rapid blood sugar spike. In contrast, complex carbohydrates from whole foods are digested more slowly, leading to a gradual rise in blood sugar.

A high blood glucose level after the one-hour 50-gram test (typically >140 mg/dL) is considered a positive screen and necessitates a follow-up diagnostic test, usually a longer 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test.

Healthy examples include about one cup of cooked brown rice, three slices of whole wheat bread, or two large apples, which provide fiber that moderates blood sugar impact.