Insulin Load Estimate Calculator

Work out insulin load estimate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Insulin Load Estimate Calculator

Subtracts fibre for net carbohydrate and adds half the protein as a transparent insulin load proxy, then converts both to insulin units at your carbohydrate ratio.

Formula

Insulin load proxy

Net carbohydrate = total carbohydrate - fibre; insulin load proxy = net carbohydrate + 0.5 x protein grams; units = load / insulin to carbohydrate ratio

Worked example

With the default values below, Insulin Load Estimate Calculator returns Insulin load proxy of 72.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Total carbohydrateaccepts 0–400 g: 60 g
Fibreaccepts 0–100 g: 8 g
Proteinaccepts 0–300 g: 40 g
Insulin to carbohydrate ratioaccepts 1–50 g per unit: 10 g per unit

Results

Insulin load proxy: 72.00 g carbohydrate equivalent
Net carbohydrate: 52.00 g
Units covering net carbohydrate: 5.20 units
Units covering the full proxy load: 7.20 units

Step by step

1Values used
2Insulin load proxy
3Insulin load proxy= 72.00 g carbohydrate equivalent
4Net carbohydrate= 52.00 g
5Units covering net carbohydrate= 5.20 units
6Units covering the full proxy load= 7.20 units

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.
This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the protein factor validated?

It is a commonly used practical approximation, not a validated index; food insulin index tables measure the response directly.

Should protein always be covered?

Only in high-protein, low-carbohydrate meals where a delayed rise occurs; the decision belongs with the diabetes team.