My ADA

The Glycemic Index: What is It?

March 19, 2004

Eliminating foods from your diet with sugars and starches is not by itself the answer to weight loss.

The idea surrounding this popular belief probably relates to the Glycemic Index. The GI is used as a measurement of the impact individual foods have on blood sugar levels. The GI ranks foods against white bread or glucose according to their potential to raise blood glucose levels in the body. However, most foods are consumed with other foods, not by themselves, and eating combinations of foods can alter the GI for each meal component.

In addition, there is insufficient research to show that the GI of a food of a meal has any effect on weight loss or gain.

The best strategy for weight management still is to consume a variety of foods including whole grains and nutrient-rich carbohydrates in portions that are appropriate for your physical activity.