What is glycemic load?

, , Comments Off on What is glycemic load?

The glycemic load refers to the measurement of the carbohydrate amounts per serving of food in relation to the rate the blood glucose levels increase.

The formula for computing for the glycemic load is the glycemic index multiplied by 100 divided by 100. The glycemic index is the level of carbohydrates found in food and is used to determine food choices. Those who compute for the glycemic load will also need the glycemic indexes.

High and low glycemic load

Experts have identified what constitutes as low, medium and high glycemic load. Low glycemic load ranges from zero to 10, medium glycemic load ranges from 11 to 19 and high glycemic load refers to 20 and above.

Glycemic load is useful for those with diabetes since these patients need to evaluate the food they eat to determine which ones can either increase or decrease their blood glucose levels.

Using the glycemic load

Getting the glycemic load can be very useful, but it may not be for everyone since the computation may take time.

For individuals who need to follow a diet plan or a nutrition plan, and then it is best to spend some time to compute for the glycemic load. This is especially true for anyone who is suffering from diabetes since the patient must watch out for the food intake.

Those with diabetes have different levels of tolerance for carbohydrates and as such they need to know which glycemic load is allowable for them. Some patients’ bodies may only take in low glycemic loads while other diabetes patients can take in medium glycemic load levels.

Those who are serious and need to monitor their glycemic load intake must have some blood glucose testing devices. These individuals must test their blood glucose level at least two hours before eating a meal and four hours after they have eaten.

Tea Time Quiz

[forminator_poll id="23176"]