Glycemic index is what diabetics formulate their diet around.  What exactly is the glycemic index?  The glycemic index list is data in a list form which ranks foods according to their effect on blood sugar.  High carbohydrate foods are an important food group on the list as they often can affect diabetes the most.  Using the list, a diabetic or pre-diabetic would choose low glycemic foods over those higher on the scale.  Because almost twenty-four million people have diabetes, and the percentage is climbing, this index gets a diabetic’s food diet off to a flying start.

Diabetes is a result of a body’s inability to control or produce insulin in the right amounts.  Looking at a glycemic index table will certainly help a diabetic  sort out this glycemic index for foods they will be able to eat.  A list like this is easy to follow and will group food according to the best ones, and the least favorite ones, to be used for a diabetic diet.  Insulin is a vital hormone which converts needed fibers, starches and sugars into energy  and this ends up as blood glucose on the cellular level.  Every cell in our bodies needs the right balance so it can function.  If this gets out of whack then our organs and muscles suffer.

If a diabetic or pre-diabetic cannot control their blood sugar by means of diet, then insulin injections or a pump may be necessary.  Every organ in your body is affected if this happens. Diet is the best possible option for controlling your blood sugar and it doesn’t involve any medications, just common sense and knowledge.  With the food glycemic index focusing on how each food affects the metabolism, this is powerful knowledge for a diabetic and a control for their diabetes.

If a person plans their diet and makes use of low glycemic index recipes, taken from foods on the low gi index, then they can control their diabetes in a lot of cases.  Picking out foods and recipes for a low glycemic diet can be tricky, but it’s also fun at the same time, and a positive way to tackle a major condition like diabetes.  A goal is to eat foods which will produce the least amount of fluctuation in your blood glucose level.  Some popular diets, such as the south beach diet and others, work well for this purpose.

Although there is no clear diabetes cause, important indicators lead to an over-consumption (sometimes way over) of high glycemic foods.  Perhaps obviously, the way to counter that is by eating low glycemic index foods.  The very biggest offenders are refined sugar, high starch foods and processed foods.  These do often make up a large percentage of what stores sell, and what we like to eat.  If we don’t change our eating habits, an early death or bad health could result.  If a person has out of control diabetes, then their organs, nerves and muscles start to deteriorate.

The environment and genetics play a role in blood glucose levels.  Our gi (gastrointestinal) tract can take in many different kinds of foods and process them, but some it does better at than others.  A natural and low-glycemic diet appeals to our insides more than a high glycemic one, so we are halfway there!  Exercise is part of any healthy regimen, especially a diabetic one. Always consult your health care practitioner before starting any new diet or exercise routine, and they can advise you as to what is best.

A few of the latest and most well known diets which could be utilized by diabetics, are:

• Atkins
• Biggest Loser
• Best Life Diet
• Hallelujah Diet
• Cabbage Soup
• Nutrisystem
• Jenny Craig
• South Beach
• Ornish
• 3 Day Diet
• Zone
• Weight Watchers
• All Diets A-Z

Other diets related to weight loss are:  low carb diets, Alli, apple cider vinegar, high protein diets, metabolism diets, Mediterranean diet, trans fat diets, diet pills, BMI calculator (body mass index) diabetes diet, Body for Life. And other simple ones which are table lists of goods that work, or don’t.  Not all diets are for the diabetic, of course, so check into the facts of each diet, then double check with your doctor.

When on a glycemic index diet, people are encouraged to choose carbs low on the index which are usually (but not always) less refined, nutrient-rich, healthier and higher in fiber.  Vegetables, whole fruits and beans fit into here. Protein, fats, alcohol consumption (or not), exercise and weight maintenance can vary widely on the glycemic index.