What should my glycemic load be

Information courtesy of www. The Glycemic Index Foundation GIF is the world authority on the glycemic index GI , its health benefits and how it can be used to guide your food choices. We do this by investing in research to better understand the Glycemic Index and associated health benefits of low GI eating and Low GL diets.

The following are research projects supported by the Foundation:. Australians have used the glycemic index GI since ; however, there are no data on changes in carbohydrate quality over time. The aim of the study was to compare average dietary GI and glycemic load GL , and contributing carbohydrate foods, in the two most recent national dietary surveys.

Although the average dietary GI and GL declined between and, trends in specific carbohydrate foods suggest that Australians are avoiding potatoes and sugary beverages in favour of a greater variety of carbohydrate foods, particularly cereal products. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who followed a low-glycemic diet had a small yet clinically meaningful reduction in blood glucose levels, as well as reductions in fasting glucose, body weight, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein levels, compared with those who followed a high-glycemic diet.

The findings published in The BMJ also showed that the positive effects of a low-GI diet among diabetes patients remained consistent over and above their existing drug or insulin treatments. At present, few countries regulate the inclusion of GI on food labels even though the information may assist consumers to manage blood glucose levels.

Inconsistencies in food regulation around the world undermine consumer and health professional confidence and call for harmonisation. This important paper was a global effort seeking input and direction from leading authorities in GI research, testing and labelling. This study aimed to determine the major food groups contributing to dietary glycaemic load GL.

There were small but significant differences in the GL contribution pattern between the sexes. The findings indicate that the average dietary GI of Australian adults is similar to that of other population groups, with a large proportion of starchy and energy-dense nutrient-poor foods that contribute to a high GL. The aim of the study is to determine the impact of a high protein, low glycemic index diet in combination with physical activity on the incidence of type two diabetes in overweight children and adults.

Professor Jennie Brand-Miller is leading the work program responsible for communicating and exploiting the findings of PREVIEW to convert new knowledge into strategies to reduce the risk of diabetes, including web-based lifestyle interventions for the public and collaborations between food industry and health professionals on development of innovative products and ingredients. This study aimed to examine the dietary glycaemic index GI and glycaemic load GL of Australian children and adolescents, as well as the major food groups contributing to GL, in the recent Australian Health Survey.

The paper concluded that, Australian children and adolescents appear to consume diets with a lower GI than European children. Exchanging high GI foods for low GI alternatives within core and non-core foods may improve diet quality of Australian children and adolescents. Potatoes are a popular source of dietary carbohydrate worldwide and are generally considered to be a high glycemic index GI food.

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Show references Augustin LSA, et al. Matthan NR, et al. Estimating the reliability of glycemic index values and potential sources of methodological and biological variability. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Bosy-Westphal A, et al. Impact of carbohydrates on weight regain. Liu S, et al. Dietary carbohydrates. Accessed May 27, GI foods advanced search. The University of Sydney. Glycemic index and diabetes. American Diabetes Association. Glycemic load. Glycemic Index Foundation. Frequently asked questions. Sun FH, et al. Effect of glycemic index of breakfast on energy intake at subsequent meal among healthy people: A meta-analysis.

Dietary guidelines for Americans, Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed May 28, Smith JD, et al. Changes in intake of protein foods, carbohydrate amount and quality, and long-term weight change: Results from 3 prospective cohorts.

Zeratsky KA expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 9, Roder PV, et al. Pancreatic regulation of glucose homeostasis. Experimental and Molecular Medicine.

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