The Glycemic Index is a numerical Index that ranks carbohydrates based on their rate of glycemic
response (i.e. their conversion to glucose within the human body). The Glycemic Index uses a scale
of 0 to 100, with higher values given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar. Pure
glucose serves as a reference point, and is given a Glycemic Index (GI) of 100.
Glycemic Index values are determined experimentally by feeding human test subjects a fixed portion
of the food (after an overnight fast), and subsequently extracting and measuring samples of their
blood at specific intervals of time. The earliest know work on the Glycemic Index was done by Dr.
David Jenkins and associates at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
The Glycemic Index Yields Some Surprises
Nutritionists used to believe that all simple sugars digested quickly and caused a rapid rise in blood
sugar, and that the opposite was true for "complex carbohydrates." But research has disproven that
to always be the case. While many sweet and sugary foods do have high GI's, some starchy foods
like potatoes or white bread score even higher than honey or table sugar (sucrose)!
What is Low Glycemic Index Eating?
The glycemic index, or GI, is a measurement of the impact a food has on your blood sugar level.
Glycemic index is measured on a scale of 1-100 (1 being low and 100 being high). Foods with a
high GI raise blood sugar levels very fast such as: watermelon, white rice, potatoes, most breads,
cake, candy, popcorn and cookies. When your blood sugar level rises fast, your body produces an
increase in insulin telling the body to store fat. Controlling the GI of your consumed foods promotes
normal blood sugar levels and enables the body to stay in a fat burning mode. You will fell
energized, alert, productive and less depressed just by changing your diet.
When you blood sugar is kept at a relatively constant level, your body performs best. If your blood
sugar drops too low, you become lethargic and/or experience increased hunger. And if it goes too
high, your brain signals your pancreas to secrete more insulin. Insulin brings your blood sugar back
down, but primarily by converting the excess sugar to stored fat. Also, the greater the rate of
increase in your blood sugar, the more chance that your body will release an excess amount of
insulin, and drive your blood sugar back down too low.
When you eat foods that cause a large and rapid Glycemic response, you may feel an initial
elevation in energy and mood as your blood sugar rises, but this is followed by a cycle of increased
fat storage, lethargy, and more hunger!
Should All High-GI Foods be avoided?
There are times when a rapid increase in blood sugar (and the corresponding increase in insulin)
may be desirable. For example, after strenuous physical activity, insulin also helps move glucose
into muscle cells, where it aids tissue repair. Because of this, some coaches and physical trainers
recommend high-GI foods (such as sports drinks) immediately after exercise to speed recovery.
Also, it's not Glycemic Index alone that leads to the increase in blood sugar. Equally important is the
amount of the food that you consume. The concept of Glycemic Index combined with total intake is
referred to as "Glycemic Load." Glycemic Load is a measure of the density and digestion speed of
carbohydrates (the glycemic index of a food multiplied by the amount of carbohydrates per
serving). The goal of Glycemic Index eating is to keep the glycemic load low. Carrots, for example,
even though they have a high glycemic index, have a much lower glycemic load than pasta
because they are less carbohydrate-dense.
The Glycemic Index measures the quality of carbohydrates and their impact on your blood sugar
levels. Carbohydrates that break down slowly rate “low” or good. Those with a higher rating break
down more quickly and that causes your insulin levels to spike and your body to store fat and
makes you hungry more quickly.
response (i.e. their conversion to glucose within the human body). The Glycemic Index uses a scale
of 0 to 100, with higher values given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar. Pure
glucose serves as a reference point, and is given a Glycemic Index (GI) of 100.
Glycemic Index values are determined experimentally by feeding human test subjects a fixed portion
of the food (after an overnight fast), and subsequently extracting and measuring samples of their
blood at specific intervals of time. The earliest know work on the Glycemic Index was done by Dr.
David Jenkins and associates at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
The Glycemic Index Yields Some Surprises
Nutritionists used to believe that all simple sugars digested quickly and caused a rapid rise in blood
sugar, and that the opposite was true for "complex carbohydrates." But research has disproven that
to always be the case. While many sweet and sugary foods do have high GI's, some starchy foods
like potatoes or white bread score even higher than honey or table sugar (sucrose)!
What is Low Glycemic Index Eating?
The glycemic index, or GI, is a measurement of the impact a food has on your blood sugar level.
Glycemic index is measured on a scale of 1-100 (1 being low and 100 being high). Foods with a
high GI raise blood sugar levels very fast such as: watermelon, white rice, potatoes, most breads,
cake, candy, popcorn and cookies. When your blood sugar level rises fast, your body produces an
increase in insulin telling the body to store fat. Controlling the GI of your consumed foods promotes
normal blood sugar levels and enables the body to stay in a fat burning mode. You will fell
energized, alert, productive and less depressed just by changing your diet.
When you blood sugar is kept at a relatively constant level, your body performs best. If your blood
sugar drops too low, you become lethargic and/or experience increased hunger. And if it goes too
high, your brain signals your pancreas to secrete more insulin. Insulin brings your blood sugar back
down, but primarily by converting the excess sugar to stored fat. Also, the greater the rate of
increase in your blood sugar, the more chance that your body will release an excess amount of
insulin, and drive your blood sugar back down too low.
When you eat foods that cause a large and rapid Glycemic response, you may feel an initial
elevation in energy and mood as your blood sugar rises, but this is followed by a cycle of increased
fat storage, lethargy, and more hunger!
Should All High-GI Foods be avoided?
There are times when a rapid increase in blood sugar (and the corresponding increase in insulin)
may be desirable. For example, after strenuous physical activity, insulin also helps move glucose
into muscle cells, where it aids tissue repair. Because of this, some coaches and physical trainers
recommend high-GI foods (such as sports drinks) immediately after exercise to speed recovery.
Also, it's not Glycemic Index alone that leads to the increase in blood sugar. Equally important is the
amount of the food that you consume. The concept of Glycemic Index combined with total intake is
referred to as "Glycemic Load." Glycemic Load is a measure of the density and digestion speed of
carbohydrates (the glycemic index of a food multiplied by the amount of carbohydrates per
serving). The goal of Glycemic Index eating is to keep the glycemic load low. Carrots, for example,
even though they have a high glycemic index, have a much lower glycemic load than pasta
because they are less carbohydrate-dense.
The Glycemic Index measures the quality of carbohydrates and their impact on your blood sugar
levels. Carbohydrates that break down slowly rate “low” or good. Those with a higher rating break
down more quickly and that causes your insulin levels to spike and your body to store fat and
makes you hungry more quickly.
Also serving the following areas near Voorhees, NJ which are located in south New Jersey. Marlton NJ | Cherry Hill NJ | Haddonfield NJ | Moorestown NJ
| Voorhees NJ | Medford NJ | Medford Lakes NJ || Mount Laurel | Camden NJ | Mount Holly NJ | New Jersey | Atlantic City NJ | South Jersey | NJ |
| Voorhees NJ | Medford NJ | Medford Lakes NJ || Mount Laurel | Camden NJ | Mount Holly NJ | New Jersey | Atlantic City NJ | South Jersey | NJ |
| Low-Glycemic Index |
200-B Route 73
Voorhees, NJ 08043
(856) 809-0909
Voorhees, NJ 08043
(856) 809-0909