Glycemic index of chips. High glycemic index foods

The glycemic index (GI) makes it possible to find out how quickly foods containing carbohydrates increase blood glucose levels. This indicator is actively used to help people suffering from diabetes by developing a special menu for them. Doctors have concluded that some products can lead to the progression of the disease. And, conversely, certain foods contribute to a milder course of the disease. Then nutritionists began to use such knowledge for their own purposes. For their patients, they began to select products that consist of “slow” carbohydrates.


The glycemic index can be low (from 0 to 40), medium (from 40 to 70) and high (from 70 and above). It is used to determine the degree of harm or benefit of a particular product to the human body.

What is low glycemic index?

Note! It is known that carbohydrates that are broken down into glucose contribute to the formation of insulin. It is what helps the body accumulate fat deposits.

Low glycemic index is an indicator that determines beneficial properties products. Its numbers range from 0 to 40 on a scale of 100 units.

It has been established that foods with a low glycemic index do not lead to a sharp rise in blood sugar levels. In addition, they are quickly absorbed, provide the body with the required energy and are useful for both diabetics and overweight people.

Note! Divide complex and simple carbohydrates. If a product has a low GI, this means that it contains organic substances from the first category. When entering the human body, they are processed slowly. As a result, there are no spikes in sugar levels.

Low GI foods contain a large amount of fiber and a minimum of calories. Despite this, the feeling of hunger leaves a person for a long time after consuming them. This is the advantage of such food when losing weight.

Low Glycemic Index Food Chart

First of all, it is worth noting that the main factor that can change the GI, both towards a decrease and an increase, is cooking. As an example, we can give the following: for raw carrots this indicator is 34, and for the same vegetable when boiled it is 86. In addition, polished rice and refined sugar also have a higher GI. This means that the same food can have a different glycemic index depending on how it is processed. Even fresh fruit, since it contains a large amount of fiber, has a lower value than juice squeezed from it if the pulp is removed.

The glycemic index is also lower if the product is high in protein and fat. It is these organic substances that make the process of digestion of the starch contained in it slower, thereby increasing the time for digestion of valuable components.

It is also important to note that the glycemic index is influenced by the degree of ripeness of fruits and vegetables. Let’s say the GI is higher for unripe bananas (up to 45) than for ripe ones (up to 90).

Sometimes foods with a low glycemic index are high in acid. As for salt, it, on the contrary, increases the glycemic index.

As you know, it takes much more time to digest whole food than to break down ground foods. Given this fact, it is not difficult to guess that in the first case the GI will be lower.

The table below shows a list of foods that have a low glycemic index.

Products name GI
Vegetables, legumes, greens
Basil 4
Parsley 6
Sorrel 9
Lettuce leaves 9
Onions 9
White cabbage 9
Tomatoes 11
Radish 13
Spinach 14
Dill 14
Feather Bow 14
Celery 16
Sweet pepper 16
Black olives 16
Green olives 17
cucumbers 19
Eggplant 21
Garlic 29
Beet 31
Carrot 34
Peas in pods 39
Fruits, berries, dried fruits
Avocado 11
Currant 14
Apricot 19
Lemon 21
Cherry 21
Plum 21
Cowberry 24
Cherries 24
Prunes 24
Cherry plum 26
Blackberry 26
Strawberries 27
Apple 29
Peach 29
Strawberry 31
Raspberry 31
Pear 33
Orange 34
Dried apple 36
Pomegranate 36
Figs 37
Nectarine 37
Mandarin 39
Gooseberry 40
Grape 40
Cereals, flour products, cereals
Low fat soy flour 14
Soy bread 16
Rice bran 18
Pearl barley porridge 21
Oatmeal porridge 39
Pasta made from wholemeal flour 39
Buckwheat porridge 39
grain bread 40
Dairy products
Skim milk 26
Kefir with zero fat content 26
Low-fat cottage cheese 29
Cream with 10% fat content 29
Condensed milk without added sugar 29
Whole milk 33
Natural yogurt 34
Low-fat yogurt 36
Fish, seafood
Boiled crayfish 4
Sea kale 21
Crab sticks 39
Sauces
Tomato based sauce 14
Soy sauce 19
Mustard 36
Drinks
Tomato juice 13
Kvass 29
Orange juice 39
carrot juice 39
Apple juice 39
Cocoa with milk without added sugar 39

The list of low GI foods includes fruits that are not fully ripe and contain acid, as well as non-starchy vegetables. Dried berries often belong to the group with a high GI. For example, raisins or dried apricots, which contain large amounts of sugar.

Porridges are high in complex carbohydrates. They are safely classified as products with a low glycemic index. That is why porridge cooked in water is recommended for use with almost any diet. Not only do they not pose a threat to the body, but on the contrary, they are very useful. After eating cereals, the feeling of fullness persists for a long time; the carbohydrates included in their composition are more difficult to process and turn into polysaccharides. However, all of the above does not apply to porridges instant cooking, which just need to be filled with boiling water. Even healthy people are advised to avoid such foods.

Juicing is not a necessity for those who choose to eat a low-glycemic diet. They differ from the fruits themselves in that they do not contain fiber, so the GI index is quite high. The only exception is juices squeezed from vegetables, fruits and berries with a high acid content. It is advisable to include them in the diet, since they have a low GI and this main source vitamins


Note! There are foods with a zero glycemic index. That is, they do not have this indicator at all. These products include oils. They do not include carbohydrates. The list of foods with a glycemic index does not include meat or fish.

Dairy products contain few carbohydrates, so they have a low GI.

GI and weight loss

Dietitians often use a table of low glycemic index foods when creating diets for their patients. It is known that consuming such foods helps to lose extra pounds. There are certain diets used for weight loss that are based specifically on this indicator.


Note! Many people often confuse the concepts of “glycemic index” and “calorie content”. This is what main mistake when creating a diet for people who need to lose weight overweight, and diabetics. GI is an indicator that indicates the rate of breakdown of carbohydrates, and calorie content is the amount of energy entering the human body. Not every product that contains small quantity calories, has a low GI.

According to the recommendations of nutritionists, the daily diet of a person trying to lose weight consists of vegetables that enrich the body with valuable components. In addition, for lunch you can eat legumes, fruits, cereals, and dairy products.

As for foods with a high glycemic index, nutritionists do not recommend completely excluding them from the diet, but only limiting consumption. White bread, potatoes and other foods must be on the menu. According to nutritionists, along with foods with a low GI, it is necessary to eat foods with a high glycemic index, but within reason.

Important! One way or another, only a specialist should create a diet. Otherwise, depriving your body of the nutrients required for its proper functioning can only cause harm.

It is also important to take into account that each body reacts differently to the intake of simple carbohydrates. Factors influencing this process include age. A mature body is more susceptible to the accumulation of fat deposits than a young one. The ecology of the place where people live is of no small importance. Polluted air undermines health and reduces the activity of all organs and systems. Metabolism plays a big role. As you know, if it is slowed down, a person is susceptible to obesity. On the rate of splitting organic matter has an impact medicines. And, of course, don’t forget about physical activity, which plays a big role in losing weight.


Thus, the glycemic index is very important indicator, which you should definitely pay attention to when creating a diet for people suffering from diabetes and dreaming of losing weight. But also healthy person You should avoid excessive consumption of high GI foods. If you constantly eat foods with a reading of 70 or more units, so-called “glycemic shock” may occur.

High glycemic foods contribute not only to obesity, but to the development of serious diseases. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to limit the diet by excluding certain types of dishes from it. Research has shown that the list harmful products small – it will vary depending on a number of things.

What is high GI and how does it affect the body?

In general, they have a safe effect on health, and some are even intended to combat diabetes. It just has too high index values.

Any instant porridge is dangerous for healthy eating not only because it contains no useful substances. After eating muesli, extra or any other “five-minute” sugar level instantly increases. For comparison, the average GI of regular cereals is 35-50, while that of fast cereals is 69-85.

Undesirable cereals for consumption are those that contain starch. However, you should not immediately exclude it from your diet. Only short grain is considered dangerous white rice, while brown and long grain white rice can be consumed without worrying about health.

Any grains made from processed wheat (couscous, etc.), as well as dishes based on it, also increase sugar levels.

During the cooking process, vegetables, fruits and berries are partially or completely deprived fiber. Therefore, the GI of juice increases significantly, despite the presence fructose. For comparison, the GI of orange juice is 65, grape juice is 55, and the GI of fresh juice is 35 and 45, respectively. Canned juices are considered especially dangerous, not only due to the presence of preservatives, but also due to the addition of sweeteners.

Sugar in any form (white, brown) has values ​​above the average GI.

Table of foods with a high glycemic index

Products GI
Beer110
103
Butter buns95
Potatoes in the oven95
Rice noodles92
Canned apricots91
Sticky rice90
Hamburger buns85
Maize85
Parsnip85
, turnip85
Mashed potatoes83
80
Lasagna75
Waffles75
Donuts75
75
Chocolate bars70
Milk chocolate70
Croissant70
Potato chips70
Couscous70
Noodles (soft wheat)70
70
Millet, sorghum70

Application for weight loss

Every year different ones come into fashion, but not all of them have a positive effect on the health of those losing weight. Any dietary restrictions lead to further big problems. However, a diet that does not contain highly rated foods is liked by nutritionists, doctors, and those who decide to follow it.

The diet is based on foods with a low GI value. Eating them slowly releases sugar, providing the body with a constant supply of energy, keeping you feeling full longer. Thanks to this, the desire to snack disappears.

In contrast, foods with a high index cause a rapid release of energy, but not for long, while glucose levels rise, a feeling of lack of energy appears, and the feeling of hunger returns again soon. If this action is repeated from time to time, then it is likely that the consequence of constant overeating will be overweight.

Daily norm

Unlike most diets that encourage you to eat fewer carbohydrates, a low-glycemic diet encourages the consumption of foods rich in nutrients.

Since our body requires energy to maintain the functioning of the brain and other important organs, it is impossible to refuse to eat carbohydrate-containing foods. Average daily norm – 1800 kcal, and the average rate of carbohydrates is 250-300 g.

Based on these figures, it follows that foods with a high index cannot be completely excluded, otherwise you will have to get calories from fat-containing foods.

Interoperability and Compatibility

If your favorite product is included in the unwanted list, this does not mean that you will have to give it up forever. It is enough to dilute carbohydrate-containing foods with fats and fiber to reduce the harm of sugar to a minimum.

When proteins and fats are included in dishes, the effect of carbohydrate foods is reduced to zero. This happens because combining products with different index slows down the speed, with which our body produces sugar.

What can be replaced

You can reduce sugar spikes to a minimum, lose weight and normalize your health by replacing your diet with foods with a high glucose rating or at least with an average one. Accordingly, preference should be given slow carbohydrates.

If you give up harmful foods, as in pure form, and as part of various dishes, then the food will become a healing and restorative source for the body. At first it seems that changing eating habits is difficult, but in reality many were satisfied with their diet.

Which high index products are you willing to give up and which ones are you not? Why? Share your thoughts and experiences on

Diet planners and diabetics are aware that foods with a high glycemic index, of which there is a long list, increase glucose concentrations and lead to excess weight gain.

The glycemic index, along with calorie content, has a direct impact on the processes of weight loss and obesity. An interesting fact is that a high-calorie product can have a low glycemic index, and vice versa. Therefore, it is important to understand which foods you can consume and which ones you should avoid.

What is the glycemic index?

Today, the counters of local markets and supermarket shelves attract an abundance of all kinds of products. But until today, few people thought about their usefulness.

It is known that all products are divided into two types - animal and plant origin. In addition, each of us has heard at least once in our lives about the benefits of proteins and the dangers of excess carbohydrates, especially for patients with diabetes.

Each carbohydrate-containing product, once in the human body, has different speed splitting. This is why the glycemic index (GI) is used to symbol the rate of breakdown of foods containing carbohydrates, compared to the rate of breakdown of glucose. It should be noted that its glycemic index is considered the standard and is equal to 100 units. Products with a high glycemic index break down quite quickly, while those with a low glycemic index take a long time.

Dietitians divide carbohydrate-containing foods into groups with high, low and medium GI. Foods that have a high glycemic index are complex, or slow carbohydrates, and foods with a low glycemic index are fast, or empty carbohydrates.

GI is the ratio of the area of ​​the carbohydrate under study to the area of ​​the glucose triangle in percentage terms. To simplify its use, a calculation scale consisting of one hundred units was introduced (0 - no carbohydrates, 100 - the presence of pure glucose).

In people, due to a feeling of satiety or intake of high-calorie foods, the GI may change. Factors influencing the value of this indicator may be:

  1. Type and grade of products.
  2. Food processing.
  3. Type of their processing.
  4. Cooking recipe.

The history of the discovery of the glycemic index is associated with the Canadian doctor David Jenkinson. In 1981, he calculated the GI and compiled a list of foods that patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus" Since that time, many other tests have been carried out that helped create a new classification based on a quantitative GI indicator.

This is what influenced the change in approach to the nutritional value of foods.

How does GI affect the human body?

The effect of the glycemic index on the human body is determined by the level of carbohydrates that food contains. Conventionally, the group with a low carbohydrate content includes products with a GI of 10 to 40 units, with an average content - from 40 to 70 units, and with a high content - over 70 units.

Foods with a high GI sharply increase the concentration of sugar, which, in turn, leads to an increase in the rate of metabolic processes. At the same time, insulin (sugar-lowering hormone) distributes excess glucose evenly throughout all tissue structures of the body. As a result, this entails an increase in appetite and a full stomach. A person eats more often, which negatively affects everyone’s work internal organs. After all, insulin is a hormone that promotes the accumulation of fat reserves, which is necessary in case of lack of energy in the body. Ultimately, poor nutrition leads to the accumulation of excess pounds. And obesity is “diabetes’ friend.” The second type of disease often occurs when the patient is overweight.

The benefits of foods with a low glycemic index are simply priceless. A low GI index has a beneficial effect on the human body, as it quickly saturates it and improves metabolism. In this case, overeating does not occur. Fresh fruit or vegetables not only have almost the lowest glycemic index, but also many vitamins, micro-, macroelements and other useful components. We must not forget that some low GI foods can be very high in calories, so their constant use is also undesirable.

It is very important to adhere to a balanced diet, which would help slow down the metabolic process and reduce appetite.

This will prevent the development of many unwanted diseases.

Glycemic index - tables

For convenience, a table of products has been compiled, grouped by the rate of carbohydrate breakdown.

Actual values ​​may vary as data in tables is an average.

The indicators given in the tables can serve as a guideline when compiling a diet.

The following foods have a high glycemic index:

  • 100 - white bread;
  • 95 – baked goods, pancakes, baked potatoes, rice noodles, canned apricots;
  • 90 – honey, instant rice;
  • 85 – instant porridge, corn flakes, boiled potatoes or mashed potatoes, carrots after heat treatment;
  • 80 – muesli with raisins and nuts;
  • 75 – sweet pastries, watermelons, melons, pumpkin, rice porridge cooked in milk;
  • 70 - millet, semolina, couscous, white rice, dumplings, chocolate bars, pineapple, potato chips, milk chocolate, soft wheat noodles, sweet drinks (Coca-Cola, Fanta, Pepsi, etc.)
  • 65 - orange juice in a package, jam, jam, wheat flour, black yeast bread, canned vegetables, jacket potatoes, raisins, rye bread, marmalade, macaroni and cheese;
  • 60 - banana, buckwheat, oatmeal, ice cream, thin crust pizza with tomatoes and cheese, mayonnaise, long grain rice;
  • 55 - spaghetti, shortbread, ketchup, canned peaches, grapes and grape juice;
  • 50 - buckwheat (green), basmati rice, mango, sweet potato, apple juice no sugar, brown rice (unrefined), orange, no sugar cranberry juice;
  • 45 - coconut, whole grain toast, grapefruit;
  • 40 - dried apricots, prunes, sugar-free carrot juice, dried figs, al dente pasta, prunes;
  • 35 - pearl barley, fresh tomato, fresh quince, apple, black rice, brown and yellow lentils, low-fat cottage cheese, green beans, apricot, pomegranate, plum, peach, nectarine, natural low-fat yogurt, blueberries, dark chocolate, milk, passion fruit, lingonberries, blueberries, tangerines;
  • 25 - cherries, blackberries, golden beans, red currants, strawberries, gooseberries, wild strawberries, red and green lentils, soy flour, pumpkin seeds, raspberries;
  • 20 - artichoke, soy yogurt, eggplant;
  • 15 - bran, celery, cucumber, almonds, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, onions, mushrooms, ginger, walnut, hazelnuts, zucchini, pistachios, pine nuts, pesto, leeks, chili peppers, Brussels sprouts, soy;
  • 10 - lettuce, avocado;
  • 5 - cinnamon, basil, parsley, vanillin, oregano.

In order not to disrupt metabolism, you should not abuse foods with a high GI value. It is allowed to be consumed only after grueling workouts.

High and low GI - benefits and harms

Some people mistakenly believe that carbohydrates with a high glycemic index should not be consumed at all. As they say, everything is useful in moderation. For example, taking foods with a high glycemic index is necessary after severe physical activity. Grueling workouts require large quantity energy and strength. Carbohydrate-containing foods will help restore lost energy. In such cases, worry about the harm of high GI foods is in vain.

However, constantly eating high-glycemic foods is dangerous, as it leads to disastrous consequences. Excess body weight and high glucose concentration lead to the development of “sweet disease” and pathologies cardiovascular system. It is not at all surprising that these diseases are among the main causes of death on the planet.

Low glycemic index foods for diabetics and weight-conscious people tend to be minimally processed or purified. Fresh fruit and vegetables containing a lot of natural fiber are the most beneficial. These foods also include legumes, whole grains and skim milk.

The basis of some diets is the combination of foods containing protein and low GI. By following this diet, you can get rid of extra pounds. And this, in turn, will protect against high level sugar and the development of diabetes.

Low Glycemic Diet Basics

The foods included in this diet contain low GI values. They saturate the human body, preventing hunger. A person who has weight problems or diabetes should try this diet. Perhaps this nutrition will help restore its previous form or normalize blood sugar.

The following sample menu for a week is a guide for those who are seriously thinking about following a low-glycemic diet. In general, the daily calorie content is 1500 kcal. Must be present in the diet.

For breakfast, you can cook oatmeal in water, adding steamed raisins to it. It is also recommended to drink a glass of skim milk and eat an apple, preferably a green one, as it contains less sugar and the GI is much lower.

Cereal soup is prepared for lunch, and you are allowed to eat two pieces of rye bread with it. After a while you can snack on plums.

For dinner, pasta is prepared from durum wheat, and a piece of beef is also boiled. You can also make a salad from fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs and serve low-fat natural yogurt.

You can diversify your diet with products presented in the table as a group with a low glycemic index. Thus, you can lose up to 1 kg per week.

While following a special diet, you will have to forget about confectionery, semi-finished products, ready-made meals, rich bread and instant food. Special significance you need to give a full breakfast, for which you need to prepare barley, buckwheat or oatmeal. You will also have to give up potatoes in any form. By following this diet you can achieve really good results, and it has many advantages:

  1. You can keep the usual dishes in your diet, changing the choice of foods slightly.
  2. There is a smooth weight loss, which does not cause a “stressful state” in the body.
  3. The cost of such a diet is quite low, since it does not require special products.
  4. This diet does not cause any discomfort or side effects.
  5. The diet saturates the body, after a full meal you don’t want to “snack” something.
  6. This food is perfect for vegetarians.

Among the adherents of low-glycemic nutrition there are also people who practice the Chinese diet and the Montignac nutrition system.