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Type 2 Diabetes Blog

By Debra Manzella, R.N., About.com Guide to Type 2 Diabetes

What is the Glycemic Index?

Thursday January 18, 2007

The glycemic index is a measurement of how rapidly a carbohydrate enters your bloodstream and how high it raises your blood glucose level. Not all carbs are the same. Examples of high glycemic index foods are candy and pasta made from white flour. A high glycemic index means that the carb is quickly digested and can send your blood sugar soaring.

A lower glycemic index means that the carb has a slower digestion rate. It enters the blood more gradually, which means that blood glucose rises at a slower rate and does not spike as high. Lower glycemic index foods include fruits and vegetables, and whole grain breads and pastas.

Search the database at the "Home of the Glycemic Index" to find out the glycemic index values for most foods.

The glycemic index can be useful as reference tool to help you plan your meals, but keep in mind that a low glycemic index rating doesn't guarantee that your blood glucose won't rise as much. Everybody is different. Regular blood glucose testing is still the best way to track how different kinds of carbs affect you.

Photo by Steve Woods

Comments

February 11, 2007 at 3:18 pm
(1) Ernnie Lee says:

Glycemic Index only applies to high starch foods such as rice, btread, pasta etc. Even with starchy foods, time and cooking methods greatty influence the resulting GI- starrches are not easily cooked.
Misuse by junk food manufacturers has become apparrent-
http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=105576&catId=100289&tid=100008&p=1&title=Foods+that+make+kids+fatter+faster

The so called “GI Revolution” is just another diet fab and will give the same results. The ONLY way there is to lose waright is ro eat less, in the case of obesity, a LOT LESS !

Ernie Lee

July 21, 2007 at 3:13 pm
(2) barb says:

i was just wondering what is a high number i am diet controlled diabetic and sometimes i be 120 in the morning but lately i be like 98 104 or 113 so i was wondering if that was still good for me im 34yrs old thks for your help please contact me with answers

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