As we all know, diabetics cannot metabolize glucose and certain carbohydrates very well. Whether you are a Type l or Type ll diabetic, you still need to watch what you eat very carefully.
First, I will define “low glycemic” foods, for those of you who are new to the lingo. Low glycemic foods are foods that require less insulin to metabolize (digest) them. The foods are given a number between 1 and 100. The lower the number, the lower the glycemic index and less insulin is required to break down that food.
Protein and a large selection of vegetables are the lowest glycemic foods that exist. Fruits, and starches, and sugars are higher glycemic foods. Virtually all carbs are digested into glucose and cause a temporary rise in blood glucose levels called the glycemic response.
When choosing foods that require a large amount of insulin to metabolize, much of the sugar floats around in the blood stream and does not get metabolized properly if at all which contributes to weight gain. The excess sugar will ultimately become excess calories which will then become excess fat..
So, if you are trying to lose weight, or if you are following a diet designed for diabetics, you might want to find a Glycemic Index List. There are several of them online here.
Additional benefits of following a low glycemic diet — increased body’s sensitivity to insulin; lower cholesterol; lowered risk of heart disease, etc.
If you are trying to lose weight and you follow a low glycemic diet, about 90 percent of the time your energy will increase, and you will lose weight.
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