The GI, there may be many of them, but the acronym GI I am referring to is the Glycemic Index.
What this refers to is a reference identifying how fast foods raise your blood glucose index. The challenge is, surprise, surprise, there is controversy over its usefulness.
First let’s look at what the GI is and then we can look at the controversy. The foods are rated on a scale from 1 – 100 and typically categorized into three categories:
Low glycemic index (GI of 55 or less):
Medium glycemic index (GI of 56 – 69):
- white potatoes
- corn
- white rice
- couscous
- breakfast cereals: Cream of wheat/ mini wheats
High glycemic index (GI of 70 or higher):
- white bread
- rice cakes
- most crackers
- bagels & croissants
- cakes & cookies
- doughnuts
- most packaged cereals
Now some foods can change dramatically depending on the preparation. For instance, raw carrots rate about 8 on the GI; whereas cooked carrots rate high, in the 80s.
What is the Controversy?
The index was established utilizing the following protocol:
1) people fasted
2) people would ingest about 50g of a given food
3) blood glucose tests were measured for about 2 hours after ingestion
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Well, no – it doesn’t!! Let’s think for a minute.
1) How often do you simply eat after fasting…most people spend the day in the postprandial state, ie., a fed state – not in a fasted state. Note: full digestion and absorption can take up to 8 hours – depending on the size of a meal.
2) People eat food in complex not one food at a time. For instance, how much fiber, fat and protein is being eaten with a given food will alter the blood glucose uptake
3) Golly gee whiz, people actually metabolize different foods differently.
So is the GI Index of any value? Well, yeah it still is…
1) low GI foods tend to be healthier
2) low GI foods tend to have less processing
However, we have to be cognizant of other factors, like:
1) amount of fiber in the food and in the meal
2) amount of vitamins and minerals in the food and in the meal
3) amount of healthy fats and proteins in the food and in the meal
4) amount of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products) either in the food or in the metabolism of the food
5) body type – different body types will metabolize food differently
So we come back to:
1) eat organic, non GMO, fruits and vegetables
2) eat real, non farmed fish; free range, hormone/vaccination free chicken & eggs; free range, hormone/vaccination free cattle
3) eat about 35% raw fruit and vegetables
4) stay away from microwaved, pasteurized, processed foods
5) avoid the whites: flour, table sugar, table salt, potatoes, rice, & dairy
6) eat healthy alive water
7) get a broad range of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories in your food
8) eat a lot of healthy good fats, ie., avocados
Will that guarantee your health….well no…your mind, thoughts and emotions, will also play a big part on your adrenals, DNA, pH, etc and thus your health…
Gee whiz…it really does require a whole, healthy person…
Be responsible, do your research, find a good health practitioner.
Here’s to your health!
For more information, contact: Dr Holly at holly@choicesunlimited.ca
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