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What is ‘GI’ and why are low GI products good for me?

Posted by Bakers Delight at July 22, 2010 in Healthy eating

This is a question we’re passionate about answering and I find many people a bit confused about whether GI is good or bad. I’ve put together this blog post to shed some light on a subject that is very commonly referred to, but not often explained.

One of the best explanations of GI is at www.glycemicindex.com

“Not all carbohydrate foods are created equal, in fact they behave quite differently in our bodies. The glycemic index or GI describes this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs – the ones that produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin levels – is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss.”

Glycemicindex.com also lists the main benefits of GI products.

• Low GI diets help people lose and manage weight
• Low GI diets increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin
• Low GI carbs improve diabetes management
• Low GI carbs reduce the risk of heart disease
• Low GI carbs improve blood cholesterol levels
• Low GI carbs can help you manage the symptoms of PCOS
• Low GI carbs reduce hunger and keep you fuller for longer
• Low GI carbs prolong physical endurance
• High GI carbs help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise

As you can see, having a balanced diet, with Low and High GI products is the best way to sustain a healthy and enjoyable eating regime.

For those interested, Wikipedia also provides a really good overview of what GI is.

For low GI options we recommend Bakers Delight Cape Seed Loaf, Hi Fibre Lo GI Loaf and Wholemeal Country Grain Loaf. These products are available at all bakeries and can be used everyday. Along with some smart sandwich fillers, incorporating low GI options into your day to day living can become easy. I found this great website to source some information on recipe ideas. Have a look at the American-Style Baked Beans – would be great on our Hi Fibre Lo GI!

Hopefully this has helped you understand ‘GI’ a bit more.

What are your favourite low GI recipes? How do you actively manage GI levels?



Posted by Bakers Delight at July 22, 2010 in Healthy eating

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