“glycemic index in foods”

Yes. You should learn which foods have high glycemic index and try to avoid them.

Yes, foods with a high glycemic index indicate that the carbohydrates will be absorbed quickly and spike your blood sugar. If you are dealing with prediabetes, your body is not able to process carbohydrates as efficiently. Eating low glycemic index foods is helpful!

You're not alone in this question. As a physician who specializes in diabetes, I find this to be such an important question.

I do not prescribe a particular diet. When it comes to low glycemic (sugar) foods, I like the idea. I tend to ask people to do everything in moderation. I have no tolerance for regular soda as it has no nutritional value. As for food, aim for ~50-75 grams of carbohydrate per meal (or less).

In this, you'll not be in excess. High sugar content food in most diabetics (and pre-diabetics) should be avoided as they're "fuel on the fire".

CH

Yes, you should monitor the carbs and sugar you consume and try to lower or eliminate these from your diet.

Old concept, reduce simple carbs and focus on losing 10% of body weight.

Hi,

Thanks for the mail. Glycemic index refers to the speed with which glucose from foods appear in the blood. This is highest for concentrated carbs like candy, cola beverages, juices and carbohydrate consumed without adequate protein, like bread. It's best to balance meals with 40% carbs, 40% protein and just 20% fat, and make sure that the fat is unsaturated or
polyunsaturated.

Thanks
Dr Sunil

Glycemic index was developed in Canada a number of years ago & can be helpful in planning diet. It compares a measured amount of food to a base # of 100. So a potato may have a high index (say 98), while some other food may be low (say 56). The low index will give a lessor amount of carbohydrate (though not less calories) than a high index food & slower absorbtion. The index can be helpful in planning diets but there are some caveats. For example: Potatoes have a high index but put gravy on them & calories go up but the index goes down because the gravy slows absorption. Surprisingly ice cream has a low index though high calorie for the same reason. The index may be helpful in planning & controlling BS but does not tell you about calories so is not useful for weight loss. The best for weigh for wt. control is control portion size but not so much what you eat-the exception being not to binge & watch junk foods.