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Sugar Content Vs. Glycemic Index

Individuals who are attempting to control blood-sugar levels with diet often monitor the sugar content of a food, the glycemic index of a food or a combination of the two.

  1. Sugar Content

    • The amount of sugar in a food may impact blood-sugar levels, depending on individual sensitivity to sugar.

    Portion Size

    • Even a food with a low sugar content can have a large impact if excessive amounts are eaten.

    Glycemic Index

    • The glycemic index measures the amount of impact a single serving of a food has on an individual's blood sugar, compared with table sugar or white bread.

    Glycemic Load

    • The glycemic index does not take into consideration that foods are typically eaten in combination with other foods, which changes the glycemic impact of the meal. The measure of how foods combine to affect blood sugar is called the glycemic load.

    Food Combinations

    • Adding fiber, protein or fat to sweet foods slows the absorption rate of sugar, lessening the glycemic impact of foods with a high sugar content.

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