Glycemic index in Kiwi, Poi, Farro & More

Recently, many diets depend on foods with a low glycemic index. However, foods with a low glycemic index may include fruits like kiwi, vegetables, and foods high in protein like meat, chicken, milk, and legumes. There are carbs that are low in glycemic index like farro.

In general, the glycemic index number is equal to the amount that the food raises the levels of glucose in the blood, compared to how pure glucose raises blood sugar, which has a glycemic index of 100.

Depending on how we classify foods on a glycemic index scale:

Low-glycemic index foods: less than 55.
Foods with a moderate glycemic index: 55 to 70.
Foods high in the glycemic index: over 70.

What is the glycemic index in Kiwi

Kiwi glycemic index = 50

So, it’s considered a low-glycemic index fruit that you can include on a low glycemic diet.

Glycemic load of a midium kiwi = 7.7.

What is farro glycemic index

Farro is a whole grain with low-glycemic index = 45

Water glycemic index

Water glycemic index = 0

Glycemic index calculator

If you want to know if a particular food is low in glycemic index or not, then, try the GI calculator below:

What glycemic index is considered low?

Foods with glycemic index less than 55 are considered low in glycemic index.

The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly food can raise blood sugar levels, and this scale ranges from 0 to 100.

So foods low in the glycemic index tend to slowly and steadily raise the level of glucose in the blood are rich in fiber and protein like meat and legumes, besides fats.

On the other hand, foods high in the glycemic index increase blood glucose rapidly, and they contain large amounts of refined carbohydrates and sugars.

In fact, long-distance runners and athletes prefer foods with a high glycemic index. While diabetics need or prediabetics focus on low glycemic index foods.

What lowers the glycemic index of a particular food?

There are some factors that affect the glycemic index of foods, including the following:

Ripeness level and storage time

The higher the ripeness, the higher the glycemic index of fruits and vegetables, and the higher the sugar content.

The food is raw or processed

Fruit juice has a higher glycemic index than fresh fruit, mashed potatoes have a higher glycemic index than whole and baked potatoes.

Ground whole-wheat bread has a lower glycemic index than regular whole wheat bread.

Quality

For example, long-grain white boiled rice has a lower glycemic index than brown rice. But short-grain white rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice.

Cooking method

Preparation and cooking techniques can change the glycemic index. In general the longer the time we cook the food, the faster we digest it, and the body absorbs its sugar content, which raises its glycemic index.

What is a low GI diet plan?

Low glycemic index diet

Benefits of low GI diet

The goal of a diet with a low glycemic index is to eat foods that contain carbohydrates that are less likely to raise blood sugar levels significantly, and this diet can be a good way to lose weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with obesity, such as diabetes and other diseases.

Check out Diabetic Diet For Type 2 Diabetes Tips

Heart and blood vessels, and many studies, have indicated that a low-glycemic index diet can help achieve these goals.

However, a person may achieve these health benefits by following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising sufficiently.

People follow a diet with a low glycemic index for several reasons, including:

Maintaining regular blood sugar levels was part of a diabetes treatment plan.
losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight.
The need for a plan and a healthy eating plan.

Low glycemic index food list

Fortunately, low glycemic index food list includes dozens of food items. That is amazing as if you followed low glycemic diet you will be free to eat whatever you want.

Which fruit has the lowest glycemic index?

Cherry
Orange
Kiwi.
Peach
Apple.
Grapefruit.
Pear.
Blueberries & blackberries.
Avocadu.
Coconut.

Low glycemic index vegetables

Cucumber.
Zucchini.
Tomatoes.
Spinach.
Kale.
Garlic.
Onion.
Lettuce.
Broccoli.
Asparagus.
Celery.
Carrot.
Bell pepper.
Sweet potato.
Most of the non-starchy vegetables.

High protein low glycemic index foods

Chicken.
Meat.
Fish.
Milk.
Legumes.

Other foods:

Nuts like almonds and walnuts.
Seeds like chia, quinoa & buckwheat.
Peanut butter.

High glycemic foods list to avoid

Definitely, sugar takes the first rank on high glycemic index foods. However, if you are following low GI diet you may substitute it with non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia.

Other foods on the list includes:

Bread.
Rice.
Pasta.
Dates.
Soft drinks.
Potatoes.
Other baked foods.

Poi glycemic index

Although some consider Poi a low glycemic food, a study conducted on 4 subjects revealed that poi is a high glycemic food.

Fresh poi: 77 ± 6%
Sour poi: 85 ± 10 %.
Dasheen: 69 ± 8 %.
Lehua: 85 ± 11 %.

Check out our latest vegetarian diet posts:

Low glycemic index recipes

Here are some low glycemic index recipe to help you form a complete plan:

1 cup of yogurt + 1 apple.
2 boiled eggs + 2tbsp feta cheese + 1 cucumber medium.
Grilled chicken breast + 1/4 cup steamed peas + sliced carrot.
1tbsp peanut butter + 1 sliced medium apple.

Still don’t know how to put your own diabetic diet meal plan?

Master how by using diabetic food exchange list, it will help you a lot .