Potato Gratin Dauphinois
Gratin dauphinois (French potato bake with cream) is one of the most delicious luxurious winter dishes for guests: potato slices covered in garlic and cream and baked in the oven. It has a medium glycemic index (clinically reviewed estimate ≈65) and requires careful portion control for people with diabetes.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Keep to two or three tablespoons as a side dish next to a piece of meat or chicken and a large green salad, to soften the starch absorption.
Best preparation methods
You can mix cauliflower or courgette slices half and half with the potato slices to halve the starch and calories while keeping the luxurious creamy texture.
Important Nutritional Note
The combination of fast potato starch and the high saturated fat of the cream adds strain to the pancreatic beta cells when portions are large.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (150 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 178 kcal | 267 kcal |
| Protein | 4.2 g | 6.3 g |
| Carbohydrate | 18 g | 27 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 16.2 g | 24.3 g |
| Fat | 10.2 g | 15.3 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.8 g | 2.7 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in French dishes with a glycemic index (5), it ranks 5 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Why is the glycemic index of gratin dauphinois medium (65)?
Because the heavy fat (cream and cheese) partly slows the absorption of the potato starch, but the total glycemic load remains high.
How many calories are in a typical 150 g portion of gratin?
The portion contains about 265 kcal, 6 g of protein, 15 g of fat and 27 g of carbohydrate.
How can I enjoy gratin without raising my blood sugar?
Eat the salad fibre and protein first, and have the gratin at the end of the meal in a portion of no more than 100 g.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.