Sugar (Cheeni) — 1 teaspoon
Illustrative image (AI-generated)

Sugar (Cheeni)

चीनी · పంచదార

Also called: cheeni, chini, shakkar, panchadara, sakkarai, white sugar, table sugar

White table sugar (sucrose) made from sugarcane, added to chai, coffee, sweets and drinks. It is half glucose and half fructose, so its GI is medium, but it brings only empty calories and is the main source of added sugar in Indian diets.

65
GI · Medium GI
0Low (55)Med (69)110+
65
Glycemic Index
Measured
3
Glycemic Load
5g
Serving Size
20
Calories
Per serving: 1 teaspoon

Calories & Nutrition: Sugar (Cheeni) (1 teaspoon)

5g
Carbs
5g
Sugars
0g
Fiber
0g
Protein
0g
Fat

Sugars shown are total sugars (naturally occurring + added) per serving and are approximate. For fruits and dairy this is mostly natural sugar; for sweets and many cooked dishes it reflects added sugar or jaggery.

Condiments & ChutneysNorth IndianSouth Indianvegan

Tips to Manage Blood Sugar

The problem is how many spoons add up through the day. Cut the sugar in each cup of chai by half for a week, then half again; your taste adjusts quickly. Gud, honey and brown sugar are not better swaps.

Sugar (Cheeni) and blood sugar: common questions

Answers per serving (1 teaspoon).

In English

What is the glycemic index of Sugar (Cheeni)?

Sugar (Cheeni) has a glycemic index of 65, which is classified as Medium GI.

Does Sugar (Cheeni) increase blood sugar?

Sugar (Cheeni) has a medium glycemic index (65), so it raises blood sugar moderately. It is best eaten in small portions, paired with protein or fiber, if you are watching your blood sugar.

Is Sugar (Cheeni) good for sugar patients (diabetics)?

Sugar (Cheeni) has a medium GI (65). People with diabetes can include it in moderation, ideally paired with protein or fiber to slow the glucose rise.

What is the glycemic load of Sugar (Cheeni)?

Sugar (Cheeni) has a glycemic load of 3 per serving (1 teaspoon).

Hindi mein

Cheeni ka sugar (GI) kitna hota hai?

Cheeni ka glycemic index (GI) 65 hai, jo madhyam (medium) mana jata hai. Ek serving (1 teaspoon) ka glycemic load (GL) 3 hai, aur isme lagbhag 5g sugar aur 5g carbohydrate hota hai.

Kya cheeni khane se sugar badhti hai?

Haan, thoda. Cheeni ka GI 65 hai, isliye yeh blood sugar ko madhyam gati se badhata hai. Chhoti portion lein aur dal, sabzi ya dahi ke saath khayein.

Kya sugar ke mareez cheeni kha sakte hain?

Haan, lekin thodi matra mein. Cheeni ko protein ya fiber wale khane ke saath khayein taaki sugar dheere badhe.

Cheeni mein kitni calorie hoti hai?

Ek serving (1 teaspoon) cheeni mein lagbhag 20 calorie hoti hain, saath mein 5g carbohydrate, 0g protein aur 0g fiber.

GI Source: International tables (Sydney GI database, sucrose) · How we source GI data

Compare side by side

Gud vs Sugar: which is better?Honey vs Sugar: which is better?

Lower-GI Alternatives

Try these instead for better blood sugar control

Honey — 1 tablespoonGI 58· Medium

Honey

शहद · తేనె

Natural sweetener made by bees, mostly glucose and fructose. Its GI is a little lower than table sugar because of the fructose, but a spoon of honey has more calories and nearly as much sugar as a spoon of cheeni.

North IndianSouth Indian
GL 1064 kcal1 tablespoon
Dates (Khajur) — 3-4 datesGI 42· Low

Dates (Khajur)

खजूर · ఖర్జూరం

Natural dried fruit used as a sweetener and snack. Medium GI but nutrient-dense with potassium, iron, and fiber.

North IndianSouth Indian
GL 12112 kcal3-4 dates
Fig (Anjeer, fresh) — 2 medium figsGI 51· Low

Fig (Anjeer, fresh)

अंजीर · అత్తి పండు

A soft, sweet fruit with edible seeds and good fiber. Fresh figs have a moderate GI, much lower than dried ones.

North IndianMaharashtrian
GL 1074 kcal2 medium figs