More on the Glycemic Index
The US has been slow to adopt the Glycemic Index (GI) approach to evaluating food. Dr Weill speculated that the reason might be that the key research has come from Australia and Canada, and not the States. Britain has also embraced this measure and its largest supermarket, Tesco, actually instituted GI labelling on its products.
A low glycemic carbohydrate causes only a small rise in blood sugar, whereas a high glycemic carb triggers a large rise. The GI measures the impact of carbohydrates on blood sugar whereas the glycemic load (GL) measure the impact of a whole food or meal on blood sugar. For this reason, it is the glycemic load which is the more useful of the two measures.
Foods with fiber and fat will bring down the glycemic load of a high GI carb. So if you want to eat pancakes (high GI carbs) once in a while, top them off with some berries and perhaps a nut butter. The fiber in the berries and the fat in the nut butter will bring down the glycemic load of the whole meal.
MOTHER’S DAY CONTEST WINNER: is Melissa. Here’s to clarity of mind as we age! Email info@wellnessfoods.ca with your address so we can get a box of bars to you.
I have some leftover bars from the conference. Two people who post a comment on the blog will be sent two bars.
really interesting stuff. especially regarding the labeling of whole grains.
Hey Cathy,
Thanks for sharing the site. Your bars look awesome. Right up my allergy-friendly style. Chocolate coffee? Yum.
Also, great post! I had no idea that fiber and fat were capable of bringing down the glycemic load of a high GI carb. Good to know. Looking forward to trying your bars soon!
Thanks and I’ll be visiting often!
Marisa
http://imallergic.wordpress.com/
Congrats Melissa!
Interesting info on the Glycemic Index. Seems like the US us slow to adapt to many things..
Do your bars have a GI rating? Or is there such thing yet as a “GI rating” idea for food? This idea of how to mix foods to bring the GI rating of our meals/snacks into balance is very interesting.
thanks for the comment! i’ve never seen these bars…but they look delicious! and i’m sure they taste great!
GI is one important facet in healthy eating. good post.
I’ve seen these bars on some other blogs. They look interesting. Haven’t seen them in my stores, should keep my eyes open I guess.
Hi! Unfortunately we are only in stores in Canada and New York City. You can buy online through Amazon or at our website. The website also has an option just to buy one bar or a sample pack so you can try them out before committing to a whole box of one flavour. The big favourite is peanut butter. My favourite is Lemon Coconut but the new Simply Snack in caramel is threatening lemon to take over the number one spot…
Hi Cathy! Great info, but you should mention that adding protein lowers the glycemic index of a meal or snack, too (as does adding fiber or fat.)
Hi Jenn: great comment. And you are right: I should have mentioned that. Lots of protein does really lower the glycemic index. And it is a healthier way to lower the GI of a food versus fat.
Very nice information.