Glycemic Index Diet
The glycemic index or GI is a tool used to rank carbohydrates according to their effect on the body’s blood glucose levels. Choosing carbohydrates that rank low on the GI can lead to long term health benefits. Low GI carbs are those that produce minimal fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels.

The Human Body and How it Relates to the GI
To understand the importance of the glycemic index diet, or GI diet, it’s critical to learn how the body works. When you eat foods hat contain carbohydrates the sugar from the foods breaks down to give your body energy. After you have consumed food the speed at which the body’s blood sugar level rises is called the glycemic response. The response is influenced by how much food you eat, what type of food it is and how the food is prepared.

How Foods are Ranked on the GI
The glycemic index ranks foods that contain carbohydrates according to their glycemic response. Foods that raise your blood glucose level rank high on the glycemic index and are generally worse for you. A glycemic index of 55 or less is considered a low ranking, 56 to 69 is medium, and 70 or more is considered high.

Eating foods that rank high on the glycemic index diet can be harmful to your health. You should try to stick to mainly low GI diet to keep energy levels balanced and to feel fuller between meals. Consuming low GI diet foods has many additional health benefits as well.

The Benefits of the GI Diet
Sticking to a low glycemic index diet can help people lose and control weight. It can also help you feel fuller for longer, requiring you to eat less. A low GI diet can also improve diabetes control by making it easy to control blood glucose levels. A low GI diet can also increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin and lower you risk of developing Type II diabetes.

A diet of low carbohydrates that rank low on the glycemic index free list of foods can also reduce your risk of heart disease and lower blood cholesterol levels. It can also prolong physical endurance and help your body refuel its stores of carbohydrates after exercise.

In addition, this diet can be modified to fit almost any other popular diet. For example, there are south beach diets that involve the glycemic index. And though it is not endorsed National Diabetes Association, there are several diabetic diets that follow the glycemic index chart. In addition, it is easy to find free GI diet plans online, as well as lists of GI diet recipes, glycemic index diet foods and diaic diets.