Breakfast staples

Plain Upma (Semolina)

per 1 bowl (~180g cooked)

1–2.5gsugar
1.5gnatural sugar
28–34gtotal carbs
Lowglycemic index

What does this mean?

7% of the WHO 25g/day free-sugar guideline

What it takes to burn this off

7calories from this sugar
~2 minbrisk walk (~5.6 km/h)
<1 minrunning (~8 km/h)

Estimated for a typical 70kg (154 lb) adult — actual calories burned vary by body weight, pace, and fitness level. General reference only, not personalized advice.

Upma is roasted semolina cooked with vegetables, mustard seeds, and curry leaves — a savory dish with no sugar added in its standard preparation. The natural sugar here comes entirely from the vegetables stirred in.

Pairs well with: Adding extra vegetables or a side of curd boosts fiber and protein alongside the semolina.

Figures are for general reference, not personalized medical guidance; always confirm with a lab-tested label or professional for dietary decisions.

Source: Nutrition-aggregator estimates for veggie upma (~1.25-1.5g sugar per 100g cooked), scaled to a 180g bowl. Total carbs: nutrition-aggregator estimates for a typical cooked-upma bowl. GI: classified low relative to the other breakfast staples here, per the site's glycemic index guide, since roasted semolina with vegetables digests more gently than refined-rice dishes. (last verified 2026-08-28)