GLYCEMIC INDEX
Food that contains carbohydrates on a scale of 1-100 based on how fast and to what
extent blood –glucose levels are raise after they have been
consumed
Process of carbohydrates breaking down:
1. Carbohydrates are broken down to glucose that is absorbed in the
bloodstream
2. Insulin is released form the pancreas which transports glucose from
the bloodstream to the body cells
3. Glucose is released in the body cells as enegy
REASONS FOR EATING LOW-GI FOODS
● Lowers Cholesterol.
● Lowers specific cancer risks. Lowers heart disease risks.
● Improves type 2 Diabetes as it reduces insulin levels,
therefore helps control diabetes and can help reduce the
number of people suffering from diabetes.
● High sugar foods attack the immune system, low GI foods will help
reduce the risk of colds and flu.
● Increase energy levels.
● Increased endurance.
● Low GI diets lead to happier people as serotonin levels (soothing)
, increase.
● Even energy levels - improve attention span and memory.
Hypoglycaemia:
When the blood glucose level in the blood is abnormally low.
FACTORS CAUSES SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL OF GLUCOSE FROM THE
BLOODSTREAM
● Eating high GI or fatty foods
● Skipped meals, eating too little or eaten infrequently
● Exercising long and hard without extra food
● Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach
● Diabetic people having too much insulin /diabetic tablets
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT
1. Eat mainly low GI foods – as glucose will be released more gradually
into the blood stream
2. Reduce the total GI of a meal and combine low and high GI foods
3. Eat small meals regularly and do not skim meals
4. Excersise regularly
WAYS TO MAINTAIN CONSTANT BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS:
● Eat low GI foods such as sweet potatoes, canned
beans, lentils, chickpeas, whole grain bread, rye bread,
whole grain pasta and brown rice.
● Combine low GI foods with high GI foods.
● Eat high in fibre foods.
● Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads.
● Study food labels to ensure that foods are low GI and contain little
carbohydrate, fat and sugar.
CAUSES
● Occurs if blood glucose levels remain too high for too long
● Too many high GI foods are eaten during a meal, which causes
the blood glucose to rise rapidly
● The pancreas of a person with diabetes do not produce
Food that contains carbohydrates on a scale of 1-100 based on how fast and to what
extent blood –glucose levels are raise after they have been
consumed
Process of carbohydrates breaking down:
1. Carbohydrates are broken down to glucose that is absorbed in the
bloodstream
2. Insulin is released form the pancreas which transports glucose from
the bloodstream to the body cells
3. Glucose is released in the body cells as enegy
REASONS FOR EATING LOW-GI FOODS
● Lowers Cholesterol.
● Lowers specific cancer risks. Lowers heart disease risks.
● Improves type 2 Diabetes as it reduces insulin levels,
therefore helps control diabetes and can help reduce the
number of people suffering from diabetes.
● High sugar foods attack the immune system, low GI foods will help
reduce the risk of colds and flu.
● Increase energy levels.
● Increased endurance.
● Low GI diets lead to happier people as serotonin levels (soothing)
, increase.
● Even energy levels - improve attention span and memory.
Hypoglycaemia:
When the blood glucose level in the blood is abnormally low.
FACTORS CAUSES SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL OF GLUCOSE FROM THE
BLOODSTREAM
● Eating high GI or fatty foods
● Skipped meals, eating too little or eaten infrequently
● Exercising long and hard without extra food
● Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach
● Diabetic people having too much insulin /diabetic tablets
PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT
1. Eat mainly low GI foods – as glucose will be released more gradually
into the blood stream
2. Reduce the total GI of a meal and combine low and high GI foods
3. Eat small meals regularly and do not skim meals
4. Excersise regularly
WAYS TO MAINTAIN CONSTANT BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS:
● Eat low GI foods such as sweet potatoes, canned
beans, lentils, chickpeas, whole grain bread, rye bread,
whole grain pasta and brown rice.
● Combine low GI foods with high GI foods.
● Eat high in fibre foods.
● Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads.
● Study food labels to ensure that foods are low GI and contain little
carbohydrate, fat and sugar.
CAUSES
● Occurs if blood glucose levels remain too high for too long
● Too many high GI foods are eaten during a meal, which causes
the blood glucose to rise rapidly
● The pancreas of a person with diabetes do not produce
