Are High Glycemic Index Foods Making You Fat?

                                                                         

The Glycemic Index or GI Index rates how fast your body metabolises carbohydrates. It provides a ranking on a scale from 0-100 relevant to the speed at which foods raise blood sugar levels, insulin. Therefore, it is particularly useful for diabetics and those watching their diet.

Why should you take care of the GI levels of the food you eat?

One of the main problems of over-secretion of insulin is that it triggers the storage of extra fat.
Extra insulin = Extra fat.
High GI foods can essentially cause a sugar rush, followed by a low when the body’s energy suddenly falls.

Low carb foods cannot be measured for GI and are given an index of zero. They include meat, fish and high protein foods necessary for a balanced diet, however all fat should be consumed in moderation.

So how does using the Glycemic Index help?

A diet rich in high GI foods can be detrimental to health as it will push the body to extremes, especially if you are overweight or sedentary, and can increase the risk of insulin resistance leading to diabetes.
Low GI carbs are a slow release energy, thereby keeping your blood glucose levels stable and energy levels balanced. This means that you will feel fuller for longer between meals and be less inclined to snack on hollow foods.

For a list of Foods and their GI Value, visit Eat the Veggies!