Glycemic
Index (GI)
![Slice-Bread-Glycemic-Index-900 Burgen Bread-Glycemic Index](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Slice-Bread-Glycemic-Index-900.png)
What even is GI, anyway?
Excellent question. The Glycemic Index (GI for short – because let’s face it, ‘Glycemic’ is a mouthful!) is a tool that measures how quickly carbohydrates raise your blood glucose (sugar) levels.
Low GI foods
Digested at a slower rate, causing a lower and slower rise in blood sugar levels.
![Glycemic-Index-Grainy-Bread Glycemic-Index-Grainy-Bread](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Grainy-Bread.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Beans Glycemic-Index-Beans](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Beans.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Fruit Glycemic-Index-Fruit](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Fruit.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Milk Glycemic-Index-Milk](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Milk.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Pasta Glycemic-Index-Pasta](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Pasta.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Sweet-Potato Glycemic-Index-Sweet-Potato](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Sweet-Potato.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Rolled-Oats Glycemic-Index-Rolled-Oats](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Rolled-Oats.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Lentils Glycemic-Index-Lentils](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Lentils.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Quinoa Glycemic-Index-Quinoa](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Quinoa.png)
Low GI foods
Digested at a slower rate, causing a lower and slower rise in blood sugar levels.
![Glycemic-Index-Grainy-Bread Glycemic-Index-Grainy-Bread](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Grainy-Bread.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Beans Glycemic-Index-Beans](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Beans.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Fruit Glycemic-Index-Fruit](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Fruit.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Milk Glycemic-Index-Milk](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Milk.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Pasta Glycemic-Index-Pasta](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Pasta.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Sweet-Potato Glycemic-Index-Sweet-Potato](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Sweet-Potato.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Rolled-Oats Glycemic-Index-Rolled-Oats](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Rolled-Oats.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Lentils Glycemic-Index-Lentils](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Lentils.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Quinoa Glycemic-Index-Quinoa](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Quinoa.png)
High GI foods
Quickly digested and absorbed,
causing a sudden spike and
subsequent fall in blood sugar levels.
![Glycemic-Index-Potatoes Glycemic-Index-Potatoes](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Potatoes.png)
![Glycemic-Index-White-Bread Glycemic-Index-White-Bread](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-White-Bread.png)
![Glycemic-Index-White-Rice Glycemic-Index-White-Rice](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-White-Rice.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Potatoes Glycemic-Index-Potatoes](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Potatoes.png)
![Glycemic-Index-White-Bread Glycemic-Index-White-Bread](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-White-Bread.png)
![Glycemic-Index-White-Rice Glycemic-Index-White-Rice](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-White-Rice.png)
![Glycemic-Index-Potatoes-Bread Sources-Of-Protein](https://www.burgen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glycemic-Index-Potaotoes-Bread.png)
Why is low GI so
important?
Eating low GI foods has been associated with many health benefits, including:
- Sustained, longer lasting energy
- Staying fuller for longer
- Increases physical performance by extending endurance
For these reasons, it’s generally recommended to consume mostly low GI foods. However, this does not mean medium to high GI foods need to be eliminated from the diet, it’s all about balance.
Why is low GI so
important?
Eating low GI foods has been associated with many health benefits, including:
- Sustained, longer lasting energy
- Staying fuller for longer
- Increases physical performance by extending endurance
For these reasons, it’s generally recommended to consume mostly low GI foods. However, this does not mean medium to high GI foods need to be eliminated from the diet, it’s all about balance.
Note: GI doesn’t take into account the total amount of carbohydrates found in a food.