Foods have many numbers attached to them, including their amount of fat, calories and nutrients. One number is their glycemic index ranking. This figure is based on how a food affects your blood sugar level. Rice and potatoes often receive high scores of 70 to 100; foods such as corn and bananas are medium, at 56 to 69. Many fruits and vegetables are rated low, with scores of 55 and less.
Carrots
Low-glycemic raw carrots make excellent snack foods because they're easy to prepare beforehand. Cut up carrot sticks to keep in the refrigerator, or grate them for a carrot salad. For extra taste, mix the grated carrots with lemon juice and fresh herbs and spices. Carrots are rated 47 on the glycemic index.
Apples
Snack on a raw apple for crunch, flavor and a low glycemic ranking. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology recommends spreading apple slices with peanut butter, another low-glycemic food. Apples are rated 38 on the glycemic index.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit isn't only low on the glycemic index, but it's also high in vitamin C and other nutrients, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website. Eat half of a grapefruit, or make something fancier to snack on such as a salad that features grapefruit segments and watercress. Grapefruit is rated 25 on the glycemic index.
Lentils
Eat lentils for a tasty snack with a low-glycemic rating. You can either find baked lentil chips, make a lentil salad or enjoy a more filling dish of cooked lentils topped with onions. Lentils are rated 29 on the glycemic index.
Skim Milk
A glass of skim milk makes a fine snack, especially when you accompany it with other low-glycemic foods. According to Harvard Medical School, these can include a slice of barley or pumpernickel bread, some all-bran cereal, crunchy peanuts or roasted soybeans. Skim milk is rated 32 on the glycemic index.
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