This manual is part of the computer program MyCalorieCoach. You can print this manual and use it with the software.
Main page > Tutorials > Glycemic Index
This manual is part of the computer program MyCalorieCoach. You can print this manual and use it with the software.
This manual is intended to provide general information about the Glycemic Index that can be used in the MyCalorieCoach software. All food products in MyCalorieCoach have a Glycemic Index and a Glycemic Load. MyCalorieCoach can show daily summaries and trends of both the Glycemic Index and the Glycemic Load.
The GI (Glycemic Index) represents the speed with which your food is digested and transformed into glucose, an energy source of your body. Diabetics are aware that various carbohydrate-containing foods behave differently, even if the number of carbohydrates is the same. The GI has been developed to compare various carbohydrate-containing foods with regard to their affect on blood glucose.
Products with a high GI will cause your blood sugar levels to rise and fall quickly. Products with a low GI are absorbed slowly and evenly into your digestive system, resulting in more regular blood sugar levels. Blood glucose levels that rise quickly due to insulin may lead to hypoglycaemia and hunger. Diabetics and people who are insulin resistant and obese should eat primarily food that has a low Glycemic Index.
All foods in MyCalorieCoach have a GI and GL value. When you look at the list of foods, you see red, orange and green indicators in front of the foods. These indicators show weather the GI value of the food is low, average or high. Diabetics and people who are insulin resistant and obese should eat primarily green foods.
The insulin requirement not only depends on the GI, but also on the total amount of carbohydrates, which is what the GL (Glycemic Load) is meant for. The GL takes the GI as well as the number of carbohydrates per portion into account (see formula). Two major studies have shown that it is especially among obese women that the risk of diabetes and heart failure rises in parallel with the GL of the food they eat.
The GL is based on average portions. When you eat twice as much, the GL is twice as high. We calculate the GL on the basis of the weight of a portion, the GI value and the number of carbohydrates. The GL of a single portion of peanuts (3.3 grams of carbohydrates per portion), for example, is (15/100)x3.3x1 = 0.5.
GL = Glycemic Load per portion
GI = Glycemic Index of a food
The GL of a single portion of peanuts (3,3 gram carbohydrates per portion) GL = (15 ÷ 100 ) × 3,3 × 1 = 0.5
Food with a low GI, few carbohydrates and a low GL results to significantly lower blood glucose and insulin levels after a meal; especially with patients with insulin resistance. MyCalorieCoach can display a trend of the GI and the GL (see image). This way, you can quickly see whether a change in your eating habits has led to a lower GI or GL.
In addition to the trend graphic presented above, it is possible to make a summary and a daily graph. In the daily graphic, both the GI and the GL can be shown over time. This summary will allow you to see which of the products you have consumed van the highest GI or GL values. Diabetics and people with insulin resistance should try to eat food with a low glycemic index.
The information on this page has been compiled with the utmost care. Nevertheless, it is possible that the information is not entirely correct. This information is not intended to replace trained professionals, but it is intended purely for educational purposes. Neither the information on this page nor use of the software can be viewed as replacing medial or other professional assistance or information provision. The information on this not intended to serve as a tool for (self)diagnostics. Visitors are recommended to present medical questions, complaints or symptoms to a doctor in time.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index
http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_food_diet/glycemic_index.php