More On The Glycemic Index

Happy Sunday Everyone -
Today's blog post is dedicated to a good friend of mine who just lost her beloved Golden Retriever. 
Thinking of you.

 

 

Yesterday I talked about symptoms of 'blood sugar imbalance' - today I'd like to share more on the Glycemic Index and describe some foods and their release rate of glucose into the bloodstream.  This just might help you keep on a more 'even keel' and give your brain balance.

 



DID YOU KNOW? ? ?

• that 'mood' is essentially linked to two particular brain messenger molecules called "neurotransmitters" . . . they are 'serotonin and dopamine'.
• when either your serotonin and/or your dopamine levels are too low - - - your mood unfortunately is likely to follow.
• when blood sugar levels are low, serotonin and dopamine also fall and it is during this time that you are less able to handle stress.
• that 'fiber' plays an important role in managing your blood sugar levels.
• that the more fiber in your meal, the slower the glucose is released into the bloodstream and thereby blood-sugar levels increase gradually.

Some common foods and their 'release' rates:

 

Slow-releasing foods include:  Fish/seafood, meat/poultry; eggs, whole milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, soy/tofu, seeds/nuts, tahini, green vegetables, tomatoes, mushrooms, raw root vegetables, grapefruit, plums.

 

Moderate-releasing foods include:  Whole rye bread, oatmeal, barley, basmati rice, buckwheat, pita bread, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, kiwi fruit, carrots, beets, lentils, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, skimmed milk, low-fat yogurt.

 

Fast-releasing foods include:  All pasta, oranges, peas, baked beans, potatoes, muesli, popcorn, whole wheat bread.

 

Very fast-releasing foods include:  Cornflakes, cooked root vegetables, rice cakes, white bread, white and brown rice, whole-kernel corn, bananas, dried fruit, apricots, mangoes, honey.

 

Think about the foods you eat - - - you might find that the list of above rings true when you think about how you feel after eating each one and how it affects how quickly 'sugars' are being released into your body.

 

Choose your foods carefully to avoid that steep rise in blood sugar and you will stay more 'balanced' in mood and energy level and the effects of the 'blood sugar seesaw'. 

 

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL - HAPPY - HEALTHY DAY!  As always, Terrie