Question
I have Diabetes Type 2 and monitor carefully what I eat.
Over time, I have come across packaged foods in the supermarket that have no GI rating at all. Can you tell me why some foods have no GI rating and if these foods have any effect on my blood sugar levels?
Answer
It is great that you monitor the food you eat, as that is the best way to control your symptoms.
The GI (glycemic index) rating symbol can only appear on foods which meet certain criteria, so that is why it does not appear on all foods.
To have the GI rating symbol on a food, it is required that the food meets the following standards:
- low in calories, fat, salt, sugar
- contains significant amounts of fibre
Foods which have a high GI (glycemic index) will generally increase blood sugar levels, but if high GI foods are eaten together with low GI foods, then the overall effect will be a medium GI food. There is also the glycemic load (GL) to consider when eating foods high in carbohydrates.
To learn more about GI and find out what the GI is of the foods you want to purchase, you can do so at the Official Glycemic Index, which has a huge database of foods.
Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.
