Note: By providing a place for the community to share real-life experiences, we hope you’ll find inspiration and new ways to think about your controller. We recommend that you approach these suggestions as you would at a buffet: go through the options, maybe try a few new things, and come back to what works best for you. Bon Appetite! Check out our library of resources on Food.

WHAT IS THE GLYCEMIC INDEX DIET?
The glycemic index diet was designed to help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels. The diet focuses on carbohydrates, with the goal of eating foods that produce a steady rise in blood sugar rather than increasing blood sugar by eating foods that are quickly digested. Due to the high fiber content of most foods on the glycemic index, dieters often feel fuller and are able to lose weight without feeling hungry.

Foods on the glycemic index diet are rated on a scale of 0 to 100 depending on how much they raise your blood sugar level.

• High GI foods (with scores of 70 or higher) include white rice, white bread, pretzels, white bagels, white baked potatoes, crackers, sugar-sweetened beverages, and (surprisingly) watermelon!
• Medium GI foods (with scores from 56 to 69) include bananas, grapes, spaghetti, ice cream, raisins, and corn.
  Low GI foods (with scores of 55 and below) include oatmeal, peanuts, peas, carrots, kidney beans, hummus, skim milk, and most fruits.
• WHAT IS THE GLYCEMIC LOAD (GL)?
  Although most starches have a high glycemic index (GI), eating a small portion will result in a relatively mild glycemic response. This is because your answer depends on the type and amount of carbohydrates you eat. You can control the glycemic response by limiting your carbohydrate portion or by consuming low GI foods.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES?
Studies of patients with Type 1 diabetes found that replacing high-glycemic carbohydrates with low-glycemic carbohydrates improves blood sugar control and reduces episodes of hypoglycemia. As a result, all the major diabetes organizations (including the American Diabetes Association, the Canadian Diabetes Association, and Diabetes UK) advise people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, to use the Glycemic Index as a way to help manage your health condition.

In addition, the glycemic index diet is also linked to a reduction in a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL RISKS?
The glycemic index diet can be confusing, as some healthy foods have a much higher glycemic value than unhealthy foods. Also, the glycemic index does not represent the typical serving size of foods consumed, which can complicate its use.

WHAT ABOUT THE GLYCEMIC INDEX DIET AND TYPE 2 DIABETES?
Existing evidence suggests that replacing carbohydrates higher on the glycemic index with carbohydrates lower on the glycemic index reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. glycemic may help people with type 2 diabetes more easily control their blood sugar levels.