| 1 |
 Q. Just what is the "Glycemic Index"?
A. The "Glycemic Index" is
simply a numerical ranking of foods based on their immediate effect to raise
your blood sugar. It measures how fast the carbohydrate of a particular food is
converted to glucose and enters the bloodstream. It's simple. A food with a
high number enters the bloodstream faster than one with a lower number. Stick
to the lower numbered foods and you lower your blood sugar.
Click to view an enlarged version
of the Comparitive Blood Sugar Chart.
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| 2 |
 Q. How is a "Glycemic Index" determined?
A. In a clinically controlled setting, 50-gram portions
of food are fed to people who have fasted overnight. The rise in blood sugar is
measured every 15 minutes for 3 hours and then plotted on a graph. The area
under the curve is measured and indexed against glucose at 100. That number is
the food's glycemic index. The higher the rise in blood sugar, the higher the
glycemic index of that food. Click
to view an enlarged version of the Blood Sugar Response Chart.
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| 3 |
Q.
How does a Low Glycemic Diet work?
A. All carbohydrates are not the same. Some
"gush" into your blood stream and spike your blood sugar. Others just "trickle"
in slowly keeping it low. Knowing which carbs are which and then choosing
"tricklers" not "gushers" is the secret to making the diet work. For example
instant mashed potato (GI-86) will raise your blood sugar more than twice as
much as an equal serving of converted rice (GI-38). Stick to foods with a low
glycemic index and you'll lower your average blood sugar level for the day.
Important Note: As you start eating more low glycemic foods, your
blood sugar response will decrease so you may need to adjust your insulin or
medication. We recommend you check your blood sugars frequently and record your
results. Consult with your physician or diabetes educator before your start the
diet and always follow their advice.
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| 4 |
Q. Will the Diet help control my
diabetes?
A. Yes.
And it works for people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. In study after
study a low-GI diet reduced the HbA1c levels in people with Type 1 and Type 2
diabetes. In a recent study of children with Type 1 diabetes the low glycemic
index diet dramatically improved their blood glucose control and the diet was
easier for them to understand compared to the American Diabetes Association
approved diet. Ref: Diabetes Care 24:1137-1143, 2001.
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| 5 |
Q. Will the Diet help
me lose weight?
A. Yes. Losing weight is not just a
matter of reducing the amount of food you eat. Since foods with a low glycemic
index are absorbed more slowly, the calories from the food you eat are more
likely to be burned throughout the day as energy, rather than stored as fat.
Low glycemic index foods help your body burn more body fat plus they have the
added advantage of filling you up and keep you from getting hungry. Studies
have shown that even when calorie intake is the same, you can lose more weight
eating low GI foods vs. high GI foods.
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| 6 |
Q. What research
supports the use of the Diet?
A. Over the past 20 years
120 published research studies have been conducted on the value of a low
GI-diet. There are two link that are particularly noteworthy: (a)
www.mendosa.com/diabetes.htm and (b)
www.glycemicindex.com. In addition to this you may want to
read: "The Glucose Revolution…An authoritative Guide to The Glycemic
Index" co-authored by J. Brand-Miller, Phd. and T. Wolever, M.D., Phd., who are
two of the world's foremost authorities on the low GI-diet.
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| 7 |
Q. Where can I learn
more about this Diet?
A. For more information you can order
the Fifty 50 Guide to the Glycemic Diet by writing to: FIFTY 50 Foods,
Inc., P.O. Box 89, Mendham, NJ 07945. Please send $3 to cover our printing,
mailing & handling costs. Allow 2 weeks for delivery.
To download a pdf copy of the FIFTY 50 Guide to the
Glycemic Diet
right click here
and choose Save Target As.
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