The diabetes glycemic index was developed in the 1980s by researchers who were looking for a way to help diabetics deal with monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels. Since that time, the diabetes glycemic index has gone on to help not only diabetics, but also those looking to closely monitor blood glucose levels around the world. The glycemic index (aka ‘GI’) system works by calculating what foods have the highest and the lowest impact on blood sugar levels. This valuable tool is then used to help diabetics and others determine what foods they can and cannot eat.

Through using the diabetes GI, it is possible for diabetics to finely tune their diets so as to avoid foods that may cause spikes in their blood sugar levels. One of the reasons that the diabetes glycemic index works is that it is able to take out much of the guesswork that would otherwise exist for diabetics. By doing so it assists people who are looking to avoid the peaks and valleys associated with high GI foods.

Many of the foods at the top of the GI are one’s that most diabetics know to avoid, such as white bread. But other foods, such as watermelon may not be as well known. This is where the GI comes in. The diabetes glycemic index helps diabetics in other ways, as it shows in details what foods can be consumed. Often this can be a bit counter intuitive, as these foods may be sweet or even contain a large amount of fat. Most fruits are low on the index, yet it would be easy to conclude otherwise, due to the fact that they obviously taste sweet. Fat is often vilified, but healthy fats such as those found in nuts, avocado and coconut products (such as coconut oil and coconut milk) all rank usually rank low on the index and are thus fine for consumption.

Another area where the diabetic GI is very helpful is that it instructs diabetics in how they can make better carbohydrate choices. Using the GI will show diabetics alternatives to foods like white rice and white bread. A quick look at the GI will show that brown rice is lower than white rice on the index. There are many bread alternatives, such as rye, that one can use instead of white bread, which scores very high on the diabetes glycemic index.

The bottom line is that the GI is a remarkably valuable tool for diabetics. It can guide them toward safe and healthy choices and away from high index foods. The diabetes glycemic index can help guide diabetics and others to better health. Most of the foods that are low on the index are also foods that are very healthy. Fruits, vegetables and nuts are generally the lowest of all the GI foods, with some notable exceptions. By including these low GI foods into your diet, it is truly possible to improve your overall health.

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