Glycemic Index (GI) for Diabetics

Glycemic Index (GI) for Diabetics

How will you define the glycemic index (GI)?

• It is defined as the rate at which carbohydrates enter the bloodstream and affect blood glucose levels.
• Or it is the % rise in the blood glucose after consuming the test food, compared to the rise produced by the same amount of carbohydrate from glucose.

• Understanding the Glycemic Index for Diabetics.

How will you classify the diet on the basis of the glycemic index?

1. A low-GI diet has less carbohydrate.
2. On the basis of the glycemic index (GI), the values are:
   1. Low GI = <55.
   2. Moderate GI = 56 to 69.
   3. High GI = >70.
3. Examples of various foods are:
4. Low GI foods are:
   1. Apples.
   2. Dried apricots.
   3. Plums.
   4. Cherries.
   5. Plain yogurt.
   6. Milk.
   7. Lentils.
   8. Kidney beans and chickpeas.
   9. Baked beans.
   10. Whole barley
5. Moderate GI foods are:
   1. Oatmeal.
   2. Whole-grain bread.
   3. Oranges.
   4. Grapes.
   5. Figs.
   6. Sweet potatoes.
   7. Pasta.
   8. Corn.
6. High GI foods are:
   1. Sugar of all types.
   2. Watermelon.
   3. Bananas.
   4. Cornflakes.
   5. White bread.
   6. Mashed potatoes.

What foods are to be avoided?

• The answer is NO or not completely.
• The diabetic association recommendations are:
  1. Keep your saturated fat intake low.
  2. There is a link between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.
  3. So limit the sodium intake. Roughly 1500 mg/day.
  4. Avoid ham, bacon, prepared soup, sauces, and take-out foods.
  5. Avoid alcohol intake.
  6. Avoid carbohydrate foods in their simple forms, such as sugars, white flour, white pasta, commercial pastries, cakes, and cookies.

Glycemic Index (GI) for Diabetics: Glycemic diets