The Glycemic Index (GI)

To maintain a normal weight and to be healthy, we all need to eat Low Glycemic food.

 

low_glycemic_fruits

 

Do you know what that means?


WHAT IS IT?

It is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale of 0-100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating.

 

Foods with a high GI are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed, and quickly elevate the blood sugar and insulin levels.

 

Low GI foods are digested and absorbed slowly producing a gradual rise in blood sugar and insulin levels which is healthier for your body.

 

The number is based on how much a food item raises blood glucose levels compared to how much pure glucose raises it.

 

Pure glucose has a GI of 100.

 

Carbohydrates (carbs) are a type of nutrient in foods. The three basic forms are sugars, starches, and fiber.

 

When you eat or drink something with carbs, your body breaks down the sugars and starches into a type of sugar called glucose.

 

Fiber just passes through the body.

 

Different carbs are digested at different rates and the glucose enters the bloodstream at different rates.

 

The GI of foods is ranked low, medium, or high.

 

LOW GI
0-55 

 

MEDIUM GI

 56-69

 

HIGH GI

70 or greater

 

Choose foods with a lower GI to maintain healthy levels of blood sugar and insulin.

 

These are called SLOW CARBS!!!!

 

(FAST CARBS are quickly converted to glucose in blood.)

 

NOTE: The quantity of a food impacts its GI

 

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, Australia maintains the international Glycemic Index. Please see: GLYCEMICINDEX.COM

 

Examples of Low GI foods:

Nuts

Avocados

avocadoes

 

Olives

Olives

 

Seeds

 

Most Vegetables such as

Asparagus

asparagus

Broccoli

broccoli

Green beans  

snap-peas

Cabbage

Squash

Spinach

spinach

Etc.

 

Berries

berries

 

Lean Meats (Turkey, Chicken)

Roasted-Turkey

Chicken

Beans (Black, Navy, White, Etc.)

 

Eggs

eggs

Scallops
Shrimp
Cod

Tuna

Tuna

More fish
Plain yogurt

 

Learn what foods are Low Glycemic and enjoy a fabulous eating plan for life.

 

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