Prickly Pear
The favourite summer fruit of the Levant and North Africa: chilled prickly pears full of refreshing sweetness and hard seeds. The most searched question: is prickly pear safe for people with diabetes? It is a remarkable fruit with a low glycemic index (≈35) and excellent gel-like fibre that helps slow the absorption of sugars.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Enjoy two or three chilled fruits in the morning or as a refreshing snack in the summer heat; they quench thirst and provide water and minerals such as magnesium and potassium.
Best preparation methods
Peel the fruit carefully and eat it fresh and chilled as it is, chewing the pulp to enjoy its natural juice, and avoid juicing and straining out the seeds and fibre.
Important Nutritional Note
The soluble fibre and pectin in prickly pear support steady blood sugar and balanced blood fats; drink enough water and keep the number of fruits moderate to keep digestion and bowel movements comfortable.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (150 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 41 kcal | 61.5 kcal |
| Protein | 0.7 g | 1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 9.6 g | 14.4 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 6 g | 9 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g | 0.8 g |
| Dietary fibre | 3.6 g | 5.4 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Fruit with a glycemic index (29), it ranks 6 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Is Prickly Pear good for weight loss?
Yes. Prickly Pear is very low in calories (41 kcal per 100 g), so you can eat a generous amount to add volume and fullness to a meal without many calories.
How does Prickly Pear affect blood sugar?
Its glycemic index is 35 (Low), a clinically reviewed estimate rather than a laboratory measurement. A typical 150 g portion has a glycemic load of 3.1 (Low), so the effect of this portion on blood sugar is limited.
What is the nutritional value of a typical portion of Prickly Pear?
A typical 150 g portion of Prickly Pear provides about 62 kcal, 1 g protein, 14.4 g carbohydrate, 0.8 g fat and 5.4 g fibre.
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.