Glycemic load

Collinsky

I was hoping someone could point me to a good source for getting started eating with the GL in mind - books, websites, whatever. I have an idea of the basics, and would like to figure out in practical terms how it might play out in real life. The website I found that seemed to have reliable info was so badly organized that I couldn't get what I needed from it. I feel pretty strongly that my blood sugar is a huge problem for me, and while there may not be a one-size-fits-all approach, this sounds like it would be really helpful to me personally.

Also, if you eat this way, let me know how it's working for you!

Thanks!

aviduser

"The Low GL Diet" by Patrick Holford. Check it on Amazon.

It works well. Frankly, though, counting calories works too. If nothing else, the Low GL Diet will help you understand which foods are less calorie dense.

KotyTyler

Here are two sites I use:

www.glycemicindex.com


http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/glycemic-index-diet

Hope these help you!

mynameisuntz

Glycemic index is outdated. It's been disproven time and time again by science.

Forget about it. Just keep track of calories and macronutrients.

dleithaus

Considering the potential of blood sugar fluctuations with glycemic index is best balanced by the actual fluctuation presented by glycemic load. One measures potential, the other measures what happens when you actually eat a food with a surrounding meal.

Understanding these concepts can be useful because lasting satiety is often linked to individual response to carbohydrates and sugars in the diet. Over response to things that can rapidly increase blood sugar like rice, flour based products, potatoes, (some) fruits, and the known sugar offenders (candy, cookies, etc), can cause blood sugar to drop just as rapidly and lead back to hunger. These variations are expressed within a spectrum outside of those who have known problems like diabetes and within the general population.

I have found that "The New Glucose Revolution" books from Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller have a balanced approach to the topic.

The New Glucose Revolution: The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index - the Dietary Solution for Lifelong Health by Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller, Thomas M.S. Wolever, Kaye Foster-Powell and Stephen Colagiuri (Dec 26, 2006)

KotyTyler

Well said dleithaus!

Collinsky

Thanks for the suggestions, all. dleithaus, I will look for that book, thanks!

Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet

Ditto

Glycemic index is outdated. It's been disproven time and time again by science.

Forget about it. Just keep track of calories and macronutrients.

I'm very opinionated as my views are rooted in scientific literature.

Collinsky

For those saying it's outdated, do you mean the glycemic index by itself, or the idea of glycemic load? I'd be interested in seeing the studies you're talking about, if they're referring to GL and not just GI. Thanks!

Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet

Theres tons of research out there. GI has positive effects for some groups and in some settings, but ...

He references his articles, which you can use Google Scholar to pull up the Abstract.
http://www.alanaragon.com/elements-challenging-the-validity-of-the-glycemic-index.html