When visiting your internal medicine doctor for a routine checkup, they’ll likely want to discuss your diet and how nutrition impacts your body. One important tool that every individual should be aware of — especially if you have diabetes or digestion issues — is the glycemic index (GI). If you’re unfamiliar with this ranking system, here’s some helpful information to review.

Understanding the Glycemic Index

Your body processes foods at different paces, depending on the ingredients. Certain foods that contain refined sugars, like desserts, pasta, and white bread, are easier for your body to convert into glucose and ultimately spike blood sugar levels. Other foods, like fresh vegetables and whole grains, take longer for your body to process. That’s why they provide sustained energy and a feeling of fullness without sudden spikes in your glucose levels.

The glycemic index is a system to help people better understand how foods and carbohydrates impact blood sugar levels. Foods are assigned a number in a range. The lower the number, the lower the impact on your blood glucose levels. You can find GI numbers listed on food packaging, or ask an internal medicine professional for recommendations. As a general rule of thumb, a number under 55 is best, and ratings over 70 can cause quickly fluctuating glucose levels.

Why You Should Follow It

Glycemic index numbers can vary slightly. For example, the ripeness of fruit affects it. Also, your age and overall wellness can alter how your body processes foods. Ask your internal medicine doctor about GI rankings so that you can make sound eating decisions, especially if you’re living with diabetes. The GI is a helpful guide to eating foods that offer sustained energy as opposed to quick spikes in overall glucose levels. Better still, understanding the index will help you minimize fat storage, manage heart health, and maintain energy whether you’re going to work or heading to the gym.

If you’re a local of Greater Cincinnati, OH, and you’re looking for a friendly, experienced internal medicine doctor that believes in individualized care through every life stage, contact Delhi Internal Medicine. For more information on this family-run doctor’s office and their ongoing mission to provide compassionate, timely, and efficient care, visit their website. Call (513) 347-3302 today to schedule your first appointment.