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Nutrition

THE GLYCEMIC INDEX

The glycemic index pertains to the metabolism of carbohydrates, and how quickly they are converted to blood sugar (glucose). A carbohydrate with a high glycemic index is one that is quickly absorbed and metabolized into blood sugar. A carbohydrate with a low glycemic index is one that is absorbed and converted more slowly into blood sugar.

The importance of the glycemic index is that when a carbohydrate is rapidly converted to blood sugar, the blood sugar rises quickly. This leads to a rapid rise in insulin, in an attempt by the body to lower the blood sugar level. In some people, this can lead to a rapid fall in blood sugar, and at times even an abnormally low blood sugar. This low blood sugar leads to hunger in an attempt to raise the blood sugar level. The fall out from this is that, when a carbohydrate with a high glycemic index is eaten, less energy (calories) is expended to metabolize it, and more calories are taken in sooner, as compared to one with a low glycemic index. As such, it is advised that patients needing to maintain their weight or control their blood sugar should select carbohydrates with a lower glycemic index.

FOODS GLYCEMIC INDEX  
SUGARS:    
GLUCOSE 100  
MALTOSE 105 HIGH GLYCEMIC INDEX
HONEY 75 = CONVERTED QUICKLY
SUCROSE 60 TO BLOOD SUGAR.
FRUCTOSE 20  
     
FRUITS:    
RAISINS 64 LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX
BANANAS 62 = CONVERTED QUICKLY
ORANGE JUICE 46 TO BLOOD SUGAR.
ORANGES 40  
APPLES 39  
     
VEGETABLES:    
POTATO, BAKED 98  
POTATO (NEW), BOILED 70  
BEETS 64  
CARROT, COOKED 36  
CARROT, RAW 31  
     
GRAINS:    
RICE, PUFFED 95  
CORNFLAKES 80  
BREAD, WHOLE GRAIN 72  
RICE 70  
BREAD, WHITE 69  
WHEAT CEREAL 67  
CORN 59  
BRAN CEREAL 51  
OATMEAL 49  
PASTA 45  
     
LEGUMES:    
PEAS 39  
BEANS 31  
LENTILS 29  
     
OTHER FOODS;    
ICE CREAM 36  
MILK 34  
NUTS 13  

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