When carbohydrates are consumed, they get converted to glucose and are either used for energy immediately or stored and used for energy later. The glycemic index is a table that rates how fast a carbohydrate elevates your blood sugar levels. Foods that are low on the glycemic index, cause a gradual spike of blood sugar and they are called low glucose, or low "glycemic" foods. In order for a carbohydrate to be considered low, it must rank 54 or lower, according to Southbeach-diet-plan.com.
Fruits
Fruits are high in fiber, water content and they have virtually no fat at all. But not all fruits are low glucose foods. Examples of ones that are include bananas, cherries, strawberries, plums, apples, pears, peaches, prunes, apricots, grapefruits and oranges. Fresh juices that are made from pineapples, oranges, grapefruits and apples are all low in glucose as well.
Vegetables
Vegetables have similar characteristics as fruit. They are low in fat, they have a high water content and they have an array of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Vegetables that are low in glucose include avocados, artichokes, spinach, all forms of lettuce, celery, cucumbers, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Sweet potatoes, carrots and yams are root vegetables that are low glucose foods.
Grains
Whole grains are high in dietary fiber which causes a slow increase in blood glucose levels. This is what gives these carbohydrates the name "complex". High bran cereals, oatmeal, rice, oat bran, bulgur, buckwheat, couscous and barley are examples of these. Foods that are made with these grains are also low glucose foods. Examples are whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta and whole grain pitas.
Dairy Foods
Dairy products have a dual role in the fact that they are not only a source of carbohydrates, but they are also sources of protein as well. Examples of dairy products that are low glucose include whole, low-fat and skim milk, low-fat yogurt and low-fat ice cream. Chocolate milk is also a low glucose food.
Legumes
Legumes are seeds that have pods wrapped around them for protection. Peas, peanuts, lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, soy beans and black-eyed peas are all examples of low glucose legumes.
Proteins
Beef, chicken, turkey, duck, eggs, fish and game meats are all types of protein that have a very minimal effect on your blood glucose levels when you eat them.
Sweets
Pound cake is a bakery item that is a low glucose food. Chocolate bars, peanut M&Ms and Snickers bars are other forms of sweets that are also low in glucose, according to Southbeach-diet-plan.com.
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