Nutrition Questions
Vital Health Zone is proud to announce Lesa Rusher, who is our resident naturopathic expert and who is available to answer questions about nutrition and health.
Lesa Rusher is a qualified naturopath with a thriving business in Canberra, Australia and has a wealth of experience treating clients on a variety of health issues. Lesa Rusher's full credentials can be found in our experts area.
Lesa Rusher will answer your nutrition-related questions.
Q: 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?
Advertisement
A: 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.
Advertisement
Enjoy better health!
