Harvard Health Publications have produced a useful list of 100+ foods, which have been rated according to their glycemic index and glycemic load.
Understanding the Glycemic Index
In order to ‘score’ foods for the glycemic index glucose is used as a reference point, giving it a GI score of 100. Foods that cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly are given a higher GI score. Foods that cause a slow increase in blood glucose levels are considered to be low GI foods.
- Low glycemic index – 55 or less
- Medium glycemic index – 56 – 69
- High glycemic index – 70 or higher
Understanding the Glycemic Load
Click to read more…
Glycemic Index, or the GI Diet, is regularly discussed in the media, but did you know that for diabetics it can be a useful way of gaining control of blood sugar levels, and also helping you achieve a healthy weight?
What is Glycemic Index?
The Glycemic Index is a measure of the rise in our blood sugar levels, in the two to three hour period, after eating a specific food. In order to ‘score’ foods scientists use pure glucose as a reference point, giving it a GI score of 100. Foods that cause blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise quickly are given a higher GI score. Foods that cause a slow increase in blood glucose levels are considered to be low GI foods. The image below demonstrated this.
Why is Glycemic Index useful? Click to read more…
It seems that a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has been making quite a stir within the media. The study suggests that if we have a friend who becomes obese, there is an increased chance that we will also becoming obese. They suggest that this factor may be more influential than our genes, or other family members.
I do feel rather concerned about the media’s perception of what the study reports, and I wonder if this will only add to increased stigma for those currently facing obesity?
The study involved a detailed analysis of 12,067 people who had been closely followed for 32 years, from 1971 until 2003.
Some of the findings from the study include: Click to read more…
Eating well during pregnancy gives your baby a great start in life. But, are you really eating for two? In a word, no!
In fact pregnant women don’t need to eat much more in addition to their normal eating.
This is because the metabolic rate slows down, and also because you naturally become less active.
However, the quality of what you eat will have a direct effect, so it’s important to eat a wide variety of nutrient loaded foods.
Eating three regular meals each day, with snacks between, will help to ensure you and your baby are meeting all of your requirements. Click to read more…
A new study published by the International Journal of Obesity has revealed that children from middle class families (particularly where mothers are working) are more likely to be overweight, or obese than those from lower income families.
These finding are opposite to previous studies, which stated that children from lower income households were more likely to be overweight.
Researchers at the Institute of Child Health in London followed 13,000 children to the age of three, between 2000 and 2002. They found that families earning £22,000 to £33,000 were 10% more likely to be overweight, in comparison to those households earning under £11,000. While those earning over £33,000 were 15% more likely to be overweight. Click to read more…
