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GLYCEMIC INDEX
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index indicates how fast a high-carbohydrate food is digested into glucose and how much it causes blood glucose to rise. The index doesn't depend merely on whether the carbohydrates are simple (sugars) or complex (starches). Many factors come into play, including the amount of fiber and fat in the food, how refined the food is, how fast the food is digested, whether it was cooked, and what else is eaten with it. Table sugar and honey have a high glycemic index (meaning they have a strong effect on blood sugar). But so do raisins, corn, potatoes, carrots, white bread, instant rice, and most refined cereals. Though sweet, apples and peaches, as well as beans, grapefruit, and peanuts, have a low glycemic index. Pasta gets a middle rating, as does oatmeal.
A number of factors determine a food's glycemic index. One of the most important is how highly processed its carbohydrates are. In highly processed carbohydrates, the outer bran and inner germ layer are removed from the original kernel of grain, which causes bigger spikes in blood sugar levels than would occur with less-processed grains. Whole-grain foods tend to have a lower glycemic index than their more highly processed counterparts. For example, white rice, which is highly processed, has a higher glycemic index than brown rice, which is less highly processed.
A number other factors influence how quickly the carbohydrates in food raise blood sugar levels, including:
Fiber content. Fiber helps shield the carbohydrates in food from immediate digestion, so the sugars in fiber-rich foods tend to be absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly.
Ripeness. A ripe fruit or vegetable has a higher sugar content than one that is still green and, therefore, has a higher glycemic index.
Type of starch. The type of starch granules in a food influences how fast the carbohydrates are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. The starch in potatoes, for example, is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream relatively quickly.
Fat content and acid content. The higher a food's fat content or acid content, the slower its carbohydrates are converted to sugar and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Physical form. Finely ground flour has a higher glycemic index than more coarsely ground flour.
LOW Glycemic Index Foods:
LESS Than 55
|
Artichoke
|
<15
|
Asparagus
|
<15
|
Broccoli
|
<15
|
Cauliflower
|
<15
|
Celery
|
<15
|
Cucumber
|
<15
|
Eggplant
|
<15
|
Green beans
|
<15
|
Lettuce, all varieties
|
<15
|
Low-fat yogurt, artificially sweetened
|
<15
|
Peanuts
|
<15
|
Peppers, all varieties
|
<15
|
Snow peas
|
<15
|
Spinach
|
<15
|
Young summer squash
|
<15
|
Zucchini
|
<15
|
Tomatoes
|
15
|
Cherries
|
22
|
Peas, dried
|
22
|
Plum
|
24
|
Grapefruit
|
25
|
Pearled barley
|
25
|
Peach
|
28
|
Canned peaches, natural juice
|
30
|
Dried apricots
|
31
|
Soy milk
|
30
|
Baby lima beans, frozen
|
32
|
Fat-free milk
|
32
|
Fettuccine
|
32
|
M&M's Chocolate Candies, Peanut
|
32
|
Low-fat yogurt, sugar sweetened
|
33
|
Apple
|
36
|
Pear
|
36
|
Whole wheat spaghetti
|
37
|
Tomato soup
|
38
|
Carrots, cooked
|
39
|
Mars Snickers Bar
|
40
|
Apple juice
|
41
|
Spaghetti
|
41
|
All-Bran
|
42
|
Canned chickpeas
|
42
|
Custard
|
43
|
Grapes
|
43
|
Orange
|
43
|
Canned lentil soup
|
44
|
Canned pinto beans
|
45
|
Macaroni
|
45
|
Pineapple juice
|
46
|
Banana bread
|
47
|
Long-grain rice
|
47
|
Parboiled rice
|
47
|
Bulgur
|
48
|
Canned baked beans
|
48
|
Grapefruit juice
|
48
|
Green peas
|
48
|
Oat bran bread
|
48
|
Chocolate bar, 1.5 oz
|
49
|
Old-fashioned oatmeal
|
49
|
Cheese tortellini
|
50
|
Low-fat ice cream
|
50
|
Canned kidney beans
|
52
|
Kiwifruit
|
52
|
Orange juice, not from concentrate
|
52
|
Banana
|
53
|
Potato chips
|
54
|
Pound cake
|
54
|
Special K
|
54
|
Sweet potato
|
55
|
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995, vol 62: 871S
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MEDIUM Glycemic Index Foods: 55 to 70
|
Brown Rice
|
55
|
Canned fruit cocktail
|
55
|
Linguine
|
55
|
Oatmeal cookies
|
55
|
Popcorn
|
55
|
Sweet corn
|
55
|
Muesli
|
56
|
White rice
|
56
|
Orange juice from frozen concentrate
|
57
|
Pita bread
|
57
|
Canned peaches, heavy syrup
|
58
|
Mini shredded wheats
|
58
|
Bran Chex
|
58
|
Blueberry muffin
|
59
|
Bran muffin
|
60
|
Cheese pizza
|
60
|
Hamburger bun
|
61
|
Ice cream
|
61
|
Kudos Whole Grain Bars (chocolate chip)
|
61
|
Beets
|
64
|
Canned apricots, light syrup
|
64
|
Canned black bean soup
|
64
|
Macaroni and cheese
|
64
|
Raisins
|
64
|
Couscous
|
65
|
Quick-cooking oatmeal
|
65
|
Rye crispbread
|
65
|
Table sugar (sucrose)
|
65
|
Canned green pea soup
|
66
|
Instant oatmeal
|
66
|
Pineapple
|
66
|
Angel food cake
|
67
|
Grape-Nuts
|
67
|
Stoned Wheat Thins
|
67
|
American rye bread
|
68
|
Taco shells
|
68
|
Whole wheat bread
|
69
|
Life Savers
|
70
|
Melba toast
|
70
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White bread
|
70
|
HIGH Glycemic Index Foods:
More Than 70
|
Golden Grahams
|
71
|
Bagel
|
72
|
Corn chips
|
72
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Watermelon
|
72
|
Honey
|
73
|
Kaiser roll
|
73
|
Mashed potatoes
|
73
|
Bread stuffing mix
|
74
|
Cheerios
|
74
|
Cream of Wheat, instant
|
74
|
Graham crackers
|
74
|
Puffed wheat
|
74
|
Doughnuts
|
75
|
French fries
|
76
|
Frozen waffles
|
76
|
Total cereal
|
76
|
Vanilla wafers
|
77
|
Grape-Nuts Flakes
|
80
|
Jelly beans
|
80
|
Pretzels
|
81
|
Rice cakes
|
82
|
Rice Krispies
|
82
|
Corn Chex
|
83
|
Mashed potatoes, instant
|
83
|
Cornflakes
|
84
|
Baked potato
|
85
|
Rice Chex
|
89
|
Rice, instant
|
91
|
French bread
|
95
|
Parsnips
|
97
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CARBOHYDRATES
with high glycemic index
|
CARBOHYDRATES
with low glycemic index
|
Food
|
GI
|
Food
|
GI
|
Maltose
|
100
|
Wholemeal bread or bread with bran
|
50
|
Glucose
|
100
|
Wholegrain rice
|
50
|
Baked potatoes
|
95
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Peas
|
50
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Very white bread
|
95
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Wholegrain cereals without sugar
|
50
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Mashed potatoes
|
90
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Oat flakes
|
40
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Honey
|
90
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Fresh fruit juice (without sugar)
|
40
|
Cooked carrots
|
85
|
Wholemeal rye bread
|
40
|
Cornflakes, Popcorn
|
85
|
Wholewheat pasta
|
40
|
Sugar (sucrose)
|
75
|
Red kidney beans
|
40
|
White bread
|
70
|
Dried peas
|
35
|
Refined cereals with sugar
|
70
|
100% Stoneground wholemeal bread
|
35
|
Chocolate bars
|
70
|
Milk products
|
35
|
Boiled potatoes
|
70
|
Dried beans
|
30
|
Biscuits
|
70
|
Lentils
|
30
|
Corn (maize)
|
70
|
Chickpeas
|
30
|
White rice
|
70
|
100% Stoneground wholewheat pasta
|
30
|
Brown bread
|
65
|
Fresh fruit
|
30
|
Beetroot
|
65
|
Fruit preserve (without sugar)
|
25
|
Bananas
|
60
|
Dark chocolate (over 60% cocoa)
|
22
|
Jam
|
55
|
Fructose
|
20
|
Non-wholewheat pasta
|
55
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Soya
|
15
|
|
|
Green vegetables, tomatoes, lemon, mushrooms
|
<15
|
GLYCEMIC INDEX BY FOOD GROUPS
|
BEANS
|
baked
|
44
|
black beans, boiled
|
30
|
butter, boiled
|
33
|
cannellini beans
|
31
|
garbanzo, boiled
|
34
|
kidney, boiled
|
29
|
kidney, canned
|
52
|
lentils, green, brown
|
30
|
lima, boiled
|
32
|
navy beans
|
38
|
pinto, boiled
|
39
|
red lentils, boiled
|
27
|
soy, boiled
|
16
|
BREADS
|
bagel, plain
|
72
|
baguette
|
95
|
croissant
|
67
|
dark rye
|
76
|
hamburger bun
|
61
|
apple muffin
|
44
|
cinnamon muffin
|
44
|
blueberry muffin
|
59
|
oat & raisin muffin
|
54
|
pita
|
57
|
pizza, cheese
|
60
|
pumpernickel
|
49
|
sourdough
|
54
|
rye
|
64
|
CEREALS
|
All Bran
|
51
|
Bran Buds
|
45
|
Bran Flakes
|
74
|
Cheerios
|
74
|
Corn Chex
|
83
|
Cornflakes
|
83
|
Cream of Wheat
|
66
|
Frosted Flakes
|
55
|
Grapenuts
|
67
|
Life
|
66
|
muesli, natural
|
54
|
Nutri-grain
|
66
|
oatmeal
|
48
|
Puffed Wheat
|
67
|
Raisin Bran
|
73
|
Rice Chex
|
89
|
Shredded Wheat
|
67
|
Special K
|
54
|
Total
|
76
|
CEREAL GRAINS
|
barley
|
25
|
basmati white rice
|
58
|
bulgar
|
48
|
couscous
|
65
|
cornmeal
|
68
|
millet
|
71
|
CRACKERS
|
graham
|
74
|
rice cakes
|
80
|
rye
|
68
|
soda
|
72
|
Wheat Thins
|
67
|
pretzels
|
83
|
water crackers(5)
|
78
|
saltines (3)
|
74
|
corn chips
|
71
|
popcorn (2 cups)
|
55
|
potato chips
|
51
|
peanuts
|
10
|
DRINKS
|
apple juice
|
40
|
colas
|
65
|
grapefruit juice
|
48
|
orange juice
|
46
|
pineapple juice
|
46
|
gatorade (1 cup)
|
78
|
cranberry juice cocktail
|
52
|
tomato juice
|
37
|
FRUIT
|
apple
|
38
|
apricots
|
57
|
apricots dried
|
35
|
banana
|
56
|
cantalope
|
65
|
cherries
|
22
|
dates
|
103
|
figs, dried (3)
|
61
|
figs
|
35
|
grapefruit
|
25
|
grapes
|
46
|
kiwi
|
52
|
mango
|
55
|
orange
|
43
|
papaya
|
58
|
peach
|
42
|
pear
|
58
|
pineapple
|
66
|
plums
|
39
|
prunes
|
15
|
raisins
|
64
|
strawberries
|
32
|
watermelon
|
72
|
MILK PRODUCTS
|
chocolate milk
|
35
|
custard
|
43
|
ice cream, van
|
60
|
ice milk, van
|
50
|
skim milk
|
32
|
soy milk
|
31
|
tofu frozen dessert
|
115
|
whole milk
|
30
|
yoghurt, fruit
|
36
|
yoghurt, plain
|
14
|
PASTA
|
cheese tortellini
|
50
|
fettucini
|
32
|
linguini
|
50
|
macaroni
|
46
|
spagh, 5 min boiled
|
33
|
spagh, 15 min boiled
|
44
|
spagh, prot enrich
|
28
|
vermicelli
|
35
|
POTATOES
|
french fries / chips
|
75
|
potatoe new, boiled
|
59
|
potatoe red, baked
|
93
|
potatoe sweet
|
52
|
potatoe white, boiled
|
63
|
potatoe white, mash
|
70
|
yam
|
54
|
RICE
|
White rice
|
70
|
Wholegrain rice
|
50
|
Rice, instant
|
91
|
SNACKS
|
chocolate bar
|
49
|
corn chips
|
72
|
croissant
|
67
|
doughnut
|
76
|
graham crackers
|
74
|
jelly beans
|
80
|
Life Savers
|
70
|
oatmeal cookie
|
57
|
pizza, cheese & tom
|
60
|
Pizza Hut, supreme
|
33
|
popcorn, light micro
|
55
|
potato chips
|
56
|
pound cake
|
54
|
Power bars
|
58
|
pretzels
|
83
|
saltine crackers
|
74
|
shortbread cookies
|
64
|
Snickers bar
|
41
|
strawberry jam
|
51
|
vanilla wafers
|
77
|
Wheat Thins
|
67
|
SOUPS/VEGETABLES
|
beets, canned
|
64
|
black bean soup
|
64
|
carrots, fresh, boil
|
49
|
corn, sweet
|
56
|
green pea, soup
|
66
|
green pea, frozen
|
47
|
lima beans, frozen
|
32
|
parsnips
|
97
|
peas, fresh, boil
|
48
|
split pea soup w/ham
|
66
|
tomato soup
|
38
|
SUGARS
|
fructose
|
22
|
honey
|
62
|
maltose
|
105
|
table sugar
|
64
|
|
|
The Glycemic Index
|
|
Vegetables
|
|
russett potatoes
|
98
|
white potatoes
|
70-90
|
parsnips
|
95
|
carrots
|
85
|
instant potatoes
|
80
|
corn/cornflakes
|
70-85
|
French fries,small
|
75
|
rutabaga
|
71
|
beets
|
70
|
red-skin potatoes
|
58
|
green peas
|
51
|
sweet potatoes
|
50
|
tomatoes
|
38
|
tomato soup
|
38
|
chickpeas
|
36
|
lima beans
|
36
|
black beans
|
30
|
kidney beans
|
29
|
lentils
|
29
|
soybeans
|
15
|
green vegetables
|
0-15
|
Rice & Grains
|
|
puffed rice
|
95
|
white bread
|
95
|
rice pasta, 1 cup
|
92
|
instant rice,1 cup
|
87
|
rice cakes (2)
|
82
|
millet
|
75
|
kaiser roll
|
73
|
corn tortilla
|
72
|
white rice
|
70
|
whole wheat bread
|
70
|
arborio risotto
|
69
|
corn meal (1/3 cup)
|
68
|
taco shells (2)
|
68
|
refined pasta
|
65
|
couscous (1/3 cup)
|
61
|
bran muffin
|
60
|
brown rice
|
55
|
popcorn(2 cups)
|
55
|
whole rice
|
50
|
tortellini,cheese
|
50
|
whole grain bread
|
40-50
|
bulgur(1/3 cup, cooked)
|
48
|
wheat grains
|
45
|
whole grain pasta
|
45
|
whole grain rye
|
42
|
pumpernickel (1 slice)
|
41
|
Fruit
|
|
dates(5)
|
103
|
raisins
|
65
|
figs, dried (3)
|
61
|
banana
|
60
|
mango (1 small)
|
55
|
kiwi (1)
|
52
|
grapes
|
50
|
pears
|
45
|
orange
|
40
|
apple
|
40
|
dried apricots
|
35
|
figs
|
35
|
strawberries
|
32
|
peaches
|
30
|
prunes (6)
|
29
|
grapefruit
|
26
|
plums
|
25
|
cherries
|
23
|
fresh apricots
|
20
|
prickly pear
|
7
|
Breakfast Cereal
|
|
puffed rice
|
95
|
Rice Chex
|
89
|
Cheerios
|
74
|
Grape Nuts
|
71
|
Shredded wheat
|
70
|
Swiss Museli
|
67
|
Just Right
|
60
|
Bran Buds
|
58
|
All Bran
|
55
|
Special K (1 cup)
|
54
|
Oatmeal(not instant)
|
40
|
Crackers & Snacks
|
|
pretzels
|
83
|
water crackers(5)
|
78
|
saltines (3)
|
74
|
corn chips
|
71
|
popcorn (2 cups)
|
55
|
potato chips
|
51
|
peanuts
|
10
|
Sweet Treats
|
|
tofu frozen dessert
|
115
|
vanilla wafers (6)
|
77
|
lifesavers (5,peppermint)
|
70
|
tapioca
|
70
|
Mars bar
|
68
|
Angel food cake (1 slice)
|
67
|
shortbread (2 cookies)
|
64
|
pound cake (1 slice)
|
54
|
strawberry jam (1 tbsp.)
|
51
|
sponge cake (1 slice)
|
45
|
marmalade (1 tbsp)
|
48
|
Twix cookie bar (59 g.)
|
44
|
ice cream, 2 scoops
|
36-61
|
dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
|
22
|
Sweeteners
|
|
maltose
|
105
|
glucose
|
100
|
honey
|
90
|
sucrose (table sugar)
|
75
|
fructose
|
20
|
agave nectar (1 tbsp)
|
11
|
Juice & Drinks
|
|
gatorade (1 cup)
|
78
|
cranberry juice cocktail
|
52
|
pineapple juice
|
48
|
grapefruit juice
|
48
|
orange juice
|
46
|
apple juice
|
40
|
tomato juice
|
37
|
Dairy
|
|
sweetened condensed milk(1/2 cup)
|
61
|
yogurt
|
35
|
skim milk (1 cup)
|
32
|
whole milk (1 cup)
|
27
|
ice cream
|
37 –61
|
Some Breakfast Foods May Keep Kids Full Longer
The glycemic index (GI) is a nutritional ranking system that measures how much certain foods affect blood sugar levels. Foods that are low on the glycemic index (such as oatmeal and bran cereal) raise blood sugar levels less than foods higher in GI, such as white bread and sugary cereals made with white flour. Some health experts maintain that eating low-GI foods may be an effective tool for preventing or managing obesity because low-GI foods are more satisfying and may reduce overall daily calorie intake.
Researchers from Oxford Brookes University in England, studied how eating breakfasts of low-, medium-, and high-GI foods affected overall calorie intake. Thirty-seven 9- to 12-year-old children who typically ate breakfast and lunch at school participated in the study, and were divided into groups. Each week, a group of children would receive one of three test breakfasts for three consecutive days. The three test breakfasts included: 1) a low-GI breakfast with a choice of bran cereal, muesli, oatmeal, or whole-grain bread; 2) a low-GI breakfast plus added sugar; and 3) a high-GI breakfast with a choice of corn flakes, cocoa cereal, crispy rice cereal, or white bread. All of the test breakfasts also included milk and fruit juice. The children were instructed not to eat or drink again until lunchtime except for water and a small serving of fruit. Researchers then observed and calculated the caloric intake of the children during the lunch meal.
The type of breakfast the children consumed significantly affected the amount of calories they consumed at lunchtime. When children ate low-GI or low-GI plus sugar breakfasts, they consumed fewer calories compared to when they ate high-GI or their typical breakfasts at home. Although the high-GI breakfast was rated as tastier than the low-GI breakfasts, children became hungry faster after eating the high-GI breakfast and ate more calories at lunchtime.
What This Means to You: Eating a breakfast with low GI may keep kids satisfied longer and may reduce overall calories consumed. Low-GI foods include higher-fiber foods such as bran cereal, oatmeal, berries, and apples. If your child is frequently hungry before lunch, adding or substituting some low-GI foods for high-GI foods in his or her breakfast may lead to longer satisfaction. In addition, if your child's doctor has diagnosed your child as overweight or obese, your child's doctor may advise you to incorporate low-GI foods into your child's diet to reduce overall calorie intake. If you have questions about glycemic index or other aspects of your child's nutrition, talk to your child's doctor or a registered dietitian.
Source: Janet M. Warren, PhD; C. Jeya K. Henry, PhD; Vanessa Simonite, PhD; Pediatrics, November 2003
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