There has been much publicity involving the GI Diet but what exactly is the Glycemic Index?

The Glycemic Index measures the rate at which carbohydrates are absorbed into the bloodstream.

It consists of a scale from 1 to 100 with 1 being the slowest possible absorption time and 100 being the quickest. Low numbered foods such as beans, lentils, milk and certain fruits and vegetables release their energy slowly and therefore provide long term energy.

High numbered foods such as sugar, honey, raisins and white bread release their energy quickly and therefore provide a short term burst of energy.

The Glycemic Index was originally developed to help diabetics with their all-important blood-sugar levels. However, it has since been adopted by people wishing to lose weight because foods with a low GI rating tend to keep your hunger at bay for longer.

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