The Glycaemic Index Q&As

Q:

Is incorporating low GI foods into your diet is a good thing?

A:

GI values only apply to foods eaten in isolation.  For example, the GI of bread falls when eaten with a slice of cheese, the GI of pasta is affected by the type of sauce you eat it with.  Furthermore, the method of cooking and the period of time the food is chewed also affect the GI of a food. By far the best approach is to ensure that you eat a balanced diet that contains plenty of fruit and vegetables and complex carbohydrates.  As with other fad diets, limiting yourself to only certain foods can lead to a deficiency in nutrients. Low GI foods may help reduce the feelings of hunger and may help you to resist the urge to overeat.  But there is no conclusive evidence which implies that high GI foods have any long term detrimental effects on health other than the appetite.  However if you are trying to lose weight, try to eat lots of grainy breads, pasta, wholegrain cereals, pulses, fruit and vegetables. Consuming low GI foods will not automatically lead to a healthy diet.  The GI simply categorises carbohydrate based foods and takes no account of the proportion of fat or protein consumed.

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