10 Low Glycemic Foods
The glycemic index (GI) is a tool used to determine how slowly or quickly a food can spike an individual’s blood sugar. Foods that have a high glycemic index will release glucose rapidly into the bloodstream, whereas foods low in the glycemic index will absorb slowly. In addition, foods which are low on the glycemic index tend to aid in weight loss as they tend to also be high satiety foods. In contrast, high glycemic foods tend to come from simple carbohydrates such as sweets, breads, and pastas.
The glycemic index includes a scale from 1–100. Foods that are scored 55 or less are considered low, foods with a GI score of 56–69 are considered medium, and foods that are scored 70 or higher are considered as having a high GI score.
Not all high glycemic foods are bad. However, it is essential to incorporate a healthy balance between the two. The GI of a food is influenced by several factors. The type of sugar, the structure of the starch, how processed the food is, the cooking method, and even the ripeness of the food can affect the GI level.
