Low Carbohydrate And Low Glycemic Index Foods
Carbohydrates are important in our diet because they are eventually broken down into sugar or glucose that is used as energy. A balanced diet should include about 60% carbohydrates on a daily basis. For diabetics this poses a problem because the body cannot deal with the sugar that is released by carbohydrates and can cause energy starvation of the cells and other long term complications. Low glycemic index foods are foods that don't raise the blood sugar level quickly. This is ideal for diabetics as it gives them more control over the disease. Thus the ideal diet for a diabetic should not consist of low carbohydrate and low glycemic index foods but low glycemic index foods that are complex carbohydrates. First, let's find out about the carbohydrate glycemic index
What is the Carbohydrate Glycemic Index ?
This is an index of carbohydrate foods ranked by how quickly they raise the blood sugar level. There is some correlation between complex carbohydrates and low glycemic foods. Complex carbohydrates take longer to break down in the body and thus release glucose into the bloodstream at a slower but constant level.
After you eat anything, your blood sugar level rises, the amount of which varies depending on which particular foods you consumed. The higher in sugar or fat a food or drink is, the more quickly your blood sugar level will rise. It is also dependant on how much of the food you eat, as the more you eat the higher your blood sugar levels will rise.
The carbohydrate glycemic index is an incredibly important weight management tool, because it allows you to determine which foods you should steer clear of and which you need to keep for energy. Therefore by using the carbohydrate glycemic index to your advantage, you will be able to create a nutritious diet plan that gives you more control over your blood sugar level.
Eating Low Carbohydrate And Low Glycemic Index Foods
In correlation with the carbohydrate glycemic index, there are a few particular tips that you should keep in mind, including:
try to include at least one food low on the glycemic index scale for each meal, try to eat a complex carbohydrate or whole grains foodstuffs rather than processed and starchy foods, drink plenty of water as this can speed up the digestion of food, check your blood glucose level before eating and then again about an hour after you are done, and watch your portion sizes.
By taking notice of the glycemic index of foods that you eat you will be able to take more control over your weight and long term blood sugar levels. Weight and glucose level control gives you more control over diabetes and can prevent term affects of the disease, such as diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular diseases from occurring.
|