What is Glycaemic Index?
Carbohydrates in the food we eat affect the blood glucose levels. Some carbohydrates get absorbed slower than others and do not have much effect on raising blood glucose levels.
Glycaemic index or GI, measures how a carbohydrate food raises our blood sugar levels. This index has been used to rank foods on how quickly they raise the blood sugar. The lower a food’’s GI, the less it affects blood sugar and insulin levels. A food’s GI is affected by the presence of fibre and fat in it.
- Low GI foods have a GI of less than 55 and include:
- 100% whole grain multi-grain products, oatmeal, oat bran, muesli, barley, bulgar wheat.
- Sweet potato, corn, yam, lima beans, peas, pulses and legumes
- Most fruits, non-starchy vegetables and carrots
- Medium GI foods have a GI between 56 and 69 and include:
- Whole wheat, quick oats, brown rice, basmati rice and couscous.
- High GI foods have a GI above 70 and include:
- Refined cereal products, white bread, melons, pineapples, potato, pumpkin, white rice, corn flakes, puffed rice, instant oats, popcorn, sugar etc.
It should be remembered that the low GI foods will help control the after-food blood glucose levels and not your fasting blood sugar levels.
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