Glycemic Index

Many people talk about “low GI foods” but I am sure, like I was when I first heard the term, most people have no idea what Glycemic Index means.

Well lets see, when you think of a carbohydrate food you could think of it by its glycemic index (GI). This is a rating of how long it takes for the body to break the carbohydrate down, and release them into the body as glucose. It is based on their immediate effect on your blood sugar level.  Not all carbohydrates are the same, that is why a lot of people don’t do well on low carb diets, as they tend to cut out all carbohydrates, when we don’t need to, and our bodies need some carbohydrate foods. It is just knowing which ones are good and which ones are not so good.

High Glycemic Index

Carbohydrate foods that break down quickly during digestion have a high GI - after eating high GI foods you will get a burst of energy but it won’t last long before you hit a slump again, which will leave you feeling hungry and tired.  High GI foods are starchy veggies like potatoes and refined products such as breads, cakes, biscuits and sweets and other sugary foods.

Low Glycemic Index

Carbohydrate foods that break down slowly however are a much better option as they have a low GI, the low GI carbohydrate will release glucose gradually into the blood stream, which will give you a slow energy release, giving you a more sustained energy source. You will feel full for a lot longer. Legumes are a great option along with most grains and vegetables.

So really you could say that a low GI food is much better for your metabolism than a high GI food, as the low GI will get your metabolism working for a longer period of time than the high GI.

However when you are looking at low GI food during weight loss, it is also important to keep an eye on your portion sizes. You will read that pasta has a low GI but obviously if you eat too much you are not going to lose the weight. You need to make sure that you have plenty of vegetables, because remember GI ratings relate to foods that contain carbohydrates. If the food has little or no carbohydrates it will not have a GI rating, such as meat, fish, eggs, avocados and most vegetables.

Not only is low GI food great for weight loss, it can also be an influence on lowering your cholesterol and lowering blood sugar levels for a diabetic.

While doing my research I found a great web site with some further information if you want to know more. Glycemic Index

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