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  • Glycemic index (GI) and food list

    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). Pure glucose is given an arbitrary rating of 100 as a reference point and all other carbohydrates are rated from 0 onwards. Any carbohydrate with a rating below 55 is considered a "low GI food", and conversely any food 70 and up is generally considered a "high GI food"

    Why Are Low 'GI' Foods Important?

    Our bodies perform best when our blood sugar (blood-glucose) levels remain at a relatively constant level, supplying our bodies with equal amounts of fuel throughout the day. For our lifestyle choice it is important to have an equal, constant stream of glucose in order for muscle glycogen conversion. Low 'GI' foods are less rapidly absorbed by the body than foods with high 'GI' and therefore provide a more constant stream of fuel.


    Is The Glycemic Index the Only Tool To Measure Carbs?

    Although the Glycemic Index is our most useful tool when discerning which carbohydrates to eat, it is not our only one. Of the other branches which apply to the 'GI' the Glycemic Load is the most useful. When you intake carbohydrates it is not only important to note what the rate of glucose conversion will be, but how much total carbohydrate you are taking in, this is where GL comes into play. Glycemic load is used to determine (with GI) what your bodies total glycemic response will be. It is measured by dividing the GI by 100 and multiplying that by the net carbs (net carbs are equal to total carbs minus dietary fibre)
    (GL=GI/100 x Net Carbs)

    Should High GI Foods Be Completely Avoided?

    Although low-GI, complex carbohydrates should be the vast majority of your caloric intake for carbs to ensure consistent glycemic response, there are times when a rapid increase in blood sugar is desirable. For this purpose some individuals choose to intake high GI foods after strenuous activity in hopes of causing an insulin spike in order to move glucose to the muscles to be converted to glycogen. Though not all agree with this method it has been utilized successfully, though the risk for adipose storage can be an issue. (in excess)

    Is GI Fail-Proof

    Absolutely not, as with any measuring formula the Glycemic Index is prone to some fallacies. Some of these limitations are noted below

    Wide Spectrum Of Measurements

    Normally, the reported GI value of a carbs is the average of many test results. Because of this there are often conflicting reports on the GI of common foods. For example the common potatoe has been reported as low as 55 and as high as 100.

    Individual Glycemic Response

    Each one of our bodies is unique in it's processing of the food we intake. Each individuals rate of glycemic response, and conversely, insulin response is different, so although the GI is a useful tool it should not be religiously followed. The best method of utilizing the GI is to experiment to discover what your own bodies GI response is to craft the perfect "low GI diet" for you.

    Preparation

    The GI of any given carbohydrate can be modified, sometimes significantly, by the method of preparartion. Any significant processing such as cooking, boiling, baking, or grinding may alter the GI of the food. Also, combination with other foods may also alter the initial GI of both carbs. When foods are combined at times a 'mixed GI rating', an average of both the foods GI's can be implemented to rate the entire meal. However, this can also be misleading as often times the foods will have a synergistic effect and cause an overall higher glycemic response than either individual part may have had.

    How Should I Best Implement the GI

    Quite simply by using it as a guideline, and determining what is best for you. Many factors, such as the ones listed above have to be taken into account when determining which carbohydrates will most effectively allow you to put on LBM whilst keeping fat down. Consider your roomate who eats Burger King five times a week, drinks a two litre of Cola a day, and puts in minimal effort at the gym, yet still has an equal physique to you. Obviously, your individual insulin/glycemic resonse times greatly differ from eachother, and therefore have to eat greatly differing diets to maintain the same body. As said above a specifically tailored diet, implementing low GI foods, will allow you to most effectively use the Glycemic Index..

    Common Food Listing

    Food Glycemic Index

    Breads

    Bagel, white 103
    Hamburger bun 87
    Melba toast 100
    Oat bran bread 68
    Rye kernel bread 66
    Pumpernickel 71
    Rye flour bread 92
    Linseed rye bread 78
    Wheat bread, white 100
    Wheat bread, high fibre 97
    Wheat bread, gluten-free 129
    Wheat bread, wholewheat 99
    Wholewheat snack breads 105
    Pita, white 82
    Mixed grain bread 64

    Breakfast cereals

    All-bran 60
    All-bran with raisins 74
    Cocoapops 110
    Cornflakes 119
    Cream of wheat 100
    Muesli 80
    Oat bran 78
    Oatmeal 87
    Puffed wheat 105
    Rice bran 27
    Rice crispies 117
    Shredded wheat 99
    Special K 77

    Cereal grains

    Barley, pearled 36
    Barley, cracked 72
    Barley, rolled 94
    Bulgur wheat 68
    Couscous 93
    Maize meal 97
    Millet 101
    Sweet corn 78
    Rice, white 81
    Rice, Basmati 83
    Rice, brown 79
    Rice, instant, boiled for 6 min. 128
    Rice, instant, boiled for 1 min. 65
    Rice, parboiled 68
    Rice, wild 81
    Rye kernels 48
    Tapioca boiled with milk 115


    Cakes and biscuits

    Butter biscuits 79
    Cake, angel food 95
    Cake, banana loaf 67
    Cake, sponge 66
    Coffee cookies 113
    Crispbead 116
    Croissant 96
    Crumpet 98
    Digestive biscuits 84
    Doughnut 108
    Graham crackers 106
    Maizena cookies 95
    Muffins 88
    Oat cookies 79
    Pastry 84
    Pizza base with cheese 86
    Rice cakes 117
    Rye crispbread 93
    Shortbread 91
    Waffle 109
    Water biscuits 102
    Wheat crackers 96

    Drinks

    Cold drinks, sweetened 97
    Cordials 94
    Gatorade (energy drinks) 136

    Fruit and Fruit Juices

    Apple 52
    Apple juice 58
    Apricots, fresh 82
    Apricots, canned in syrup 91
    Apricots, dried 44
    Banana 76
    Cherries 32
    Fruit ****tail 79
    Grapefruit 36
    Grapefruit juice, unsweetened 69
    Grapes 62
    Kiwi fruit 75
    Mango 80
    Orange 62
    Orange juice 74
    Pawpaw 83
    Peach, raw 40
    Peach, canned 79
    Pear, raw 51
    Pear, canned 63
    Pineapple, raw 94
    Pineapple juice 66
    Plum 34
    Raisins 91
    Spanspek 93
    Sultanas 80
    Watermelon 103

    Legumes

    Baked beans, canned 69
    Beans, dry 40
    Broad beans 113
    Butter beans 44
    Chickpeas 47
    Chickpeas, canned 60
    Kidney beans 42
    Kidney beans, canned 74
    Lentils 41
    Lentils, green, canned 74
    Lima beans, frozen 46
    Soya beans 25
    Soya milk 43
    Split peas, boiled 45

    Milk and dairy products

    Ice cream 87
    Ice cream, low-fat 71
    Milk, whole 39
    Milk, skim 46
    Milk, chocolate 49
    Milk, chocolate (artificial) 34
    Custard 61
    Yoghurt, low-fat, fruit, sweetened with sugar 47
    Yogurt, low-fat, artificially sweetened 20
    Yoghurt, plain 51

    Pasta

    Fettucine 46
    Gnocchi 95
    Instant noodles 67
    Macaroni 64
    Macaroni and cheese 92
    Ravioli, meat filling 56
    Spaghetti, protein-enriched 38
    Spaghetti, white 59
    Spaghetti, durum 78
    Spaghetti, wholewheat 53
    Vermicelli 50

    Snacks and sweets

    Jelly beans 114
    Lifesavers 100
    Chocolate 70
    Chocolate bars 91
    Energy bars 81
    Maize snacks 105
    Muesli bars 87
    Popcorn 79
    Potato chips 77
    Peanuts 21
    Pretzels 116

    Soups

    Bean soup 92
    Green pea soup, canned 94
    Lentil soup, canned 63
    Split pea soup, homemade 86
    Tomato soup 54

    Sugars

    Honey 104
    Fructose 32
    Glucose powder 138
    Glucose tablets 146
    Maltose 150
    Sucrose (table sugar) 92
    Lactose 65
    High-fructose corn sugar 89
    Maltodextrin 107

    Vegetables

    Beetroot 91
    Carrots 101
    Parsnips 139
    Peas, dried 32
    Peas, green 68
    Potato, instant mash 118
    Potato, baked 121
    Potato, new 81
    Potato, boiled 80
    Potato, boiled, mashed 104
    Potato, microwaved 117
    Potato chips, deep-fried 107
    Pumpkin 107
    Sweet corn 78
    Sweet potato 77

    (List courtesy of Health24.com)
    http://www.napsgear.net/affiliate_sh..._banner_id=166

  • #2
    oh and is it the same as following a diabetic diet? im confused cause the glycemic load diet seems more strict about whole wheat bread than the glycemic index. And wouldnt a diabetic diet be the same since it keeps your blood sugar stable no? Which one of the three is better? Is it bad not to eat bread?

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    • #3
      solid list!!! LOTS of good info!

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      • #4
        I've read that carrot's GI (101) it's obtained from 50grams of carrots without fibers, but carrots are very riche in fibers, so the real GI is lower.

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        • #5
          The university of Sydney has a very good GI webpage with a database - newsletter and all information you need.
          I truely believe in the use of the GI.

          http://www.glycemicindex.com/

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          • #6
            That list is on the money. I keep a book on my dinning room table. i almost know the food by heart now.

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            • #7
              cold potatoes have a lower GI

              "Diets rich in high-glycemic index foods, which cause quick and strong increases in blood sugar levels, have been linked to an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and [becoming] overweight, and there is preliminary work linking high-glycemic diets to age-related macular degeneration, ovulatory infertility, and colorectal cancer. Foods with a low glycemic index have been shown to help control type 2 diabetes and improve weight loss." ?The Nutrition Source (Harvard School of Public Health) I'm sure that you can appreciate the importance of optimizing your blood sugar levels; not only for the quest of a lean, muscular physique but, as the opening quote illustrates, the pursuit of good health and a longer life. But considering that walking around with a glucometer and sticking ourselves after every meal just isn't practical ?or polite ?a more efficient method of measuring the effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels needed to be determined. Unfortunately, what athletes, bodybuilders, and TNation readers find scientifically relevant usually doesn't find its place on the National Institute of Health's "Top 10 Research Programs to Give Funding To" list. Sometimes though, we get lucky, and while it wasn't with the NIH, the British Diabetic Association and the Medical Research Council decided in the late 1970s to find out more about the differing effects of carbohydrate-based foods on blood sugar. Fast forward to 1981, and the Glycemic Index (GI), a method of ranking the effects of different carbohydrate based foods on blood sugar, was born. The GI of a food is measured in a two-step process. Researchers will give a person 50 grams of pure glucose and then measure their blood glucose levels over the course of several hours. This pure glucose serves as the control, as theoretically, nothing can be digested faster than pure glucose. Next, researchers give the same person 50 grams of the food in question (like carrots, rice cakes, or black beans), and measure their blood glucose levels for several hours afterwards. As the diagram on the right and the following technical definition of the GI shows, the blood sugar responses for the two foods are then compared. "...the area under the blood glucose response curve for each food expressed as a percentage of the area after taking the same amount of carbohydrate as glucose." One key component to how the GI is measured has to do with amount. The amount of food used is always the same, 50 grams. As a result, the GI only takes into account the type of carbohydrate and not the amount. This is a point of criticism that many GI critics often bring up; for example, how practical is the GI when 50 grams of carbs from rice can be ingested with ease while 50 grams from carrots would require Bugs Bunny-like dedication? The Glycemic Load To make the GI more real world applicable ?as no one eats food in 50-gram increments ?scientists came up with the Glycemic Load (GL). The GL is a carbohydrate/blood sugar rating that accounts for both type and amount of carbohydrate......
              http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...ndex_revisited

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