How do I use the glycemic load table?
Consideration of glycemic load can be an important aspect of healthy eating. Foods can be ranked according to how much their carbohydrate content can raise blood sugar levels, and this constitutes the glycemic index. The glycemic load also takes into account the amount of carbohydrate. For example, carrots have a high glycemic index, telling us that the carbohydrate in carrots can rapidly raise blood sugar. However, they dont have a whole lot of carbohydrate, so they have a modest glycemic load. Carrots are still a healthy food and should not be avoided (to the contrary!). Generally, it is preferable to choose foods that have a low glycemic load. This means choosing minimally processed whole-grain foods instead of highly refined carbohydrates, limiting consumption of potatoes and avoiding added sugars. When the levels of blood sugar rise rapidly, this causes a rapid rise in insulin, followed by a rapid decline in blood sugar. This cycle can stimulate appetite and promote overeating, an
