Glycemic Load

Gun4a
Gun4a Posts: 68 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello. Can't really get my head 'round what Glycemic Load is. There are some foods (watermelon, for instance) that has a high GI but its GL is very low.. Could someone explain that in simple terms? :smile:

Replies

  • mmarshall74
    mmarshall74 Posts: 183 Member
    Glycemic index is simply the speed at which a certain amount of carbs is absorbed into your blood stream. Glycemic load takes into account the typical consumption amount of the food. For example apples may have higher glycemic index than something less healthy, but you have to eat much more apples to get the same blood sugar effect due to fiber and other nutrients. I think glycemic load is a better measure of how a certain carb affects your blood sugar. In your example lets say (as example.... not actually numbers) 200 cals of watermelon have the same carbs at 200 cals of donuts.... you'd eat way more watermelon to reach that 200 cals as apposed to small amount of donuts to reach same blood sugar level and the donuts carbs would be processed into sugar (thus effecting your blood sugar) faster.

Categories