High Glycemic Foods And Good Glycemic Foods

Carbohydrates that break down very slowly and therefore releasing glucose into the bloodstream gradually are classified with a low glycemic index. For people who are diabetic, particularly those who are insulin dependent, a low glycemic index diet is preferable. These foods allow the insulin or medication to respond better to the blood glucose and allows for sugars to break down more naturally.

Other foods, which are rated high on the Glycemic Index, raise the blood glucose level quickly. High glycemic foods can be beneficial for people who are recovering from high exertion or those suffering from hypoglycemia. People with Type I or Type II diabetes should avoid high glycemic foods as they can play havoc with insulin or any medication they are taking to control diabetes.

High glycemic foods include those with large amounts of white refined sugar or white flour. The one most important thing a doctor will tell a patient on how to avoid high glycemic foods is to avoid anything white. This includes white bread, pasta made with white flour and even cakes or sweets made with refined white sugar or white flour.

High glycemic foods tend to take a long time to digest in the system of a diabetic. The glucose, or sugar, stays in the blood because the system of a diabetic is unable to process the refine sugars and flours, causing the diabetic to urinate more frequently, experience thirst, hunger and sweat profusely more than the average person.

After a while, this takes its toll on the system of a diabetic, the kidneys begin to hurt because they are not functioning properly. This is the most common symptom that diabetics present with when seeking advise and assistance from a physician. They can also get blood in their urine and, in the worst case scenario, they faint or enter into an episode of semi-consciousness, confusion which can even lead to a diabetic coma. In some instances, a diabetic coma can prove fatal.

People who have Type I and Type II diabetes should be very mindful of which foods have a high glycemic index and avoid these foods in their diet. With proper diet, medication or insulin and monitoring of blood sugars, diabetics can lead a normal lifespan.

Diabetes is not a death sentence, however it is becoming more common in the 21st century across a broad range of cultures. It is simply a condition that many people are now getting through having a modern western culture diet of fast foods and highly processed foods. The condition is not allowing their body to break down sugars and starches through their system so that they digest normally. Diabetes can be quite harmful and somethimes fatal to an individual who does not follow the advice of their physician, and consume a proper diet and does not monitor their blood glucose levels closely. People who adhere to the medical guidelines concerning diabetes have just as
much of a chance of living a normal life as anyone else.

Good Gylcemic Foods

The Glycemic Index which was discovered in 1981 and is the basis for many recently popular diets, including the South Beach Diet as well as others. The Glycemic Index determines how long certain carbohydrates take to break down and digest in the system. Those with a high rating, take the longest time to break down and do the most damage to the system of someone with diabetes. The good glycemic foods; that is, those with the lower rates, are more desirable not only for diabetics, but for those who are watching their carbohydrate intake through such diets as the South Beach Diet, they should also be aware of what the good glycemic foods are.

Good glycemic foods tend to get absorbed slowly into the system, allowing the body to break down the refined sugars and starches so that the body can digest them properly. People with Type I and Type II diabetes have a difficult time digesting carbohydrates, particularly those that rank high on the glycemic index, and therefore due to the lack of proper digestion making it difficult for the diabetic to expel glucose from their blood. While most diabetics are wise to avoid most, if not all carbohydrates, as these are the most difficult to digest and break down, certain carbohydrates are better than others for diabetics to consume.

Good glycemic foods tend to have a low score on the Glycemic Index. Good glycemic foods are still carbohydrates, but it is easier for the diabetic to digest and are much healthier and more preferable than those glycemic foods that rank highly on the Glycemic Index. There are substitutions available for foods that have a high ranking on the Glycemic Index and are widely available in supermarkets and other food stores.

Some of the foods that rate low on the Glycemic Index include most fruits and vegetables, Although fruits and vegetables contain sugar, the sugars contained in these good glyceic foods digest into the system at a slower rate and also provide valuable nutrients to the diabetic, and everyone else of course. The only vegetable that a diabetic should avoid is a potato, as it has a high glycemic index. However other fruits and vegetables are more preferable than white rice, white bread, corn flakes and anything made with white refined sugar or flour.

Other good glycemic foods include wholegrain breads and pastas. If you or a loved one has Type I or Type II diabetes, you should switch to whole grain breads and pastas made from wheat flour. This can be tremendously helpful to anyone who wants to manage their glycemia as well as anyone who wants to follow low carb diets. Basmati rice is also considered one of the good glycemic foods.

Often, it is not a matter of eliminating carbohydrates entirely when one is using diet to control their diabetes, but understanding which carbohydrates rate high on the glycemic index. Diabetes is a disease that can be controlled by proper diet, monitoring one's blood sugar and following doctors orders with taking medication as well as diet and nutrition.

For further information refer to my website http://www.alison-mckenzie-online.com