Diabetic Glycemic Food Index For Diabetes Control

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder whereby the body cannot process sugar in the blood. This leads to two problems. The first is that the sugar is used as energy so the body can become starved of energy and start to metabolize fat or muscle. Ultimately this can lead to a diabetic coma if action isn't taken through insulin replacement therapy. The second problem is that the blood sugar level gets higher than it should be. This can make the person feel unwell in the short term and can increase the risk of diabetes related health issues, like diabetic neuropathy, in the long term. Sugar enters the bloodstream from the foods that we eat so understanding the amount of sugar in the food can help to control the blood sugar levels and diabetes. This is where the diabetic glycemic food index comes in. This article will explain what the glycemic food index is and how it can help in controlling diabetes.

What Are Glycemic Index Foods

The Glycemic Index is the result of many years of research into nutrition and food science. New research is added and frequently alters the current index. The index is essentially a way of ranking foods by how they affect your blood sugar level. This is useful information to people that have type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but also to people that want to lose weight. Many glycemic diets exist for the express purpose of helping people to lose weight.

The higher the rating on the diabetic glycemic food index, the more you want to avoid or eat less of that food. The value of glucose/sugar is set at 100. any foods that are close to this level mean they will be digested quickly and raise the blood sugar level as rapidly as pure glucose or sugar. Foods that are low in the index will take longer to digest and raise the blood sugar level slowly. You don’t need to cut out high glycemic foods entirely, but you still need to be aware that you can only have a moderate portion.  The rest of your meal is then made up of foods low on the Glycemic index, often called low GI foods or glycemic index foods.

You have probably eaten dishes approved for a diabetic diet and low glycemic foods without even realizing it.  Perhaps you’ve had steamed unbreaded fish, vegetables and brown rice, cooked in olive oil and spices instead of butter and salt.  Yummy, wasn’t it?  You don’t have to become a vegetarian to follow a diabetic diet and glycemic index foods, but you do need to monitor your protein intake.

Usually, with a diabetic diet you should try to balance the meals such that there is a third fruits or vegetables, a third of protein and a third of carbohydrates.  You especially have to pay attention to carbohydrates, as they convert mostly to glucose.  Talk to your doctor or dietitian in this respect and follow the diabetic glycemic food index once a diet has been set up.

Being able to have more control over the amount of glucose or sugar that enters your body gives you more control over your diabetes.

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