What exactly is the glycemic index? Is it helpful in controlling glucose levels? Here is some information on glycemic index to assist you.
Glycemic Index
The Glycemic Index is a measure of how a carbohydrate containing food raises blood glucose. The foods on the index are compared to glucose or white bread, ranging from 1-100. The higher the number the higher glycemic index it has.
What exactly is the glycemic index? Is it helpful in controlling glucose levels? Here is some information on glycemic index to assist you.
Low, Medium, High
The goal for the glycemic index is to choose foods that would have a lower glycemic index. Only foods with carbohydrates would have a glycemic index, so for an example meats and fats would not be on the list.
What exactly is the glycemic index? Is it helpful in controlling glucose levels? Here is some information on glycemic index to assist you.
Low Glycemic Foods
Low Glycemic Index foods (1-55) include most fruits, green vegetables, rolled or steel cut oats, barley, bulgar, 100% stone ground wheat bread, corn, and legumes.
What exactly is the glycemic index? Is it helpful in controlling glucose levels? Here is some information on glycemic index to assist you.
Medium Glycemic Foods
Medium Glycemic Index foods (56-69) include whole wheat bread, bananas, rye, quick oats, brown or wild rice.
What exactly is the glycemic index? Is it helpful in controlling glucose levels? Here is some information on glycemic index to assist you.
High Glycemic Foods
High glycemic index foods (70 or more) include bagels, white bread, white rice, instant oatmeal, white potatoes, pretzels, melons and pineapple.
What exactly is the glycemic index? Is it helpful in controlling glucose levels? Here is some information on glycemic index to assist you.
Certain Factors to Consider
There are certain things to consider when following the glycemic index. The ripeness of the fruit affects the Glycemic Index, the riper the higher number it has. The cooking method affects the Glycemic Index, the longer it is cooked for the higher the value. Also the way the food is processed affect the Glycemic Index value, so juice has a higher value than actual fruit, mashed potatoes are higher than baked potatoes.
What exactly is the glycemic index? Is it helpful in controlling glucose levels? Here is some information on glycemic index to assist you.
Keep in Mind
Whether using the Glycemic Index, plate method or carb counting, remember portions still matter. The combination of meals matter, the glycemic index of certain foods will change when combined with other foods. Remember there are other things to consider including total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, calories, carbohydrates, portion size when choosing a food, opposed to focusing solely on the Glycemic Index of the food.
