Ever heard of Glycemic Index? A GI, as it is sometimes known, is a
widely used tool used by physicians to measure the effects of a certain
food on one's blood sugar levels. According to research, high-GI food
increases one's blood sugar levels faster, making one more prone to
diseases like diabetes. On the other hand, consuming low GI foods can
help greatly in losing weight and protecting the body against harmful
diseases.
The Glycemic Index of a particular food item can be
measured by scientific and nutritional researchers and experts. The GI
is measured by providing 10 test subjects 50 grams of a food to be
tested and then measuring their blood glucose response after two hours.
Afterwards, this response is compared against a reference food like
glucose and averaged across all 10 subjects to attain a relative index
value.
Foods have different GI. A food may have a low, average
or high Glycemic Index. Foods with low GI have a rating of less than 55
while those with medium GI rate 55 to 70. On the other hand, foods have
high GI if they rate 70 or more.
So how would you find out the GI for particular food items? Here are very easy steps to do so:
• Do your own research If
you want to learn more information on GI for foods, then you should do
some research work. The best way to start is by surfing the web for
articles on GI. These articles can be found in the hundreds and most of
them are written by health experts. If you don't have your own net
access, you can read health journals or look up scholarly resources in
a library of your choice.
• Ask your doctor Knowing the GI
for foods has many benefits. It might be good for you to go to your
doctor and ask him about it. He is the best person to ask if you want
to learn more about GI. In addition, he can provide you with examples
of a low GI diet which you can make use of in the course of your daily
life.
• Ask your friends People nowadays are becoming more
and more health-conscious. At least one of your friends may have a list
or two of food and their GI ratings; some may even be quite
knowledgeable about GI and other related topics. Ask around and you
might be pleasantly surprised.
You can easily gather information
on the Glycemic Index. You can research in the internet or the library,
ask your doctor or even ask your friends. Knowing the GI for foods can
help you live a healthier lifestyle and lead to a happier new you.
Sabrina Rocca Author: Proven Weight Loss with the Glycemic Index For
more information on weight loss using the glycemic index, visit
http://www.glycemic-index.ca. Sign up for your FREE newsletter and
receive the following bonuses: "Weight Loss Made Easy, The Ultimate
Guide to the Glycemic Index" , a 10-day course on the glycemic index
and access to glycemic index articles, ressources and much, much more.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
