The Glycemic Index is a system that categorizes carbohydrate foods by their effect on blood sugar levels, according to the website Carbs Information. Foods that contain simple carbohydrates have a high GI value because they can easily be broken down and converted to energy, whereas foods that contain complex carbohydrates have low GI value because they take longer to break down and they provide extended energy. The GI uses a scale that ranges from zero to 100. Foods with a value above 70 have a high GI rating. Simple carbohydrates tend to have the highest GI values because they are made with refined sugars.
Candy
Candies have a high GI value, according to San Francisco's University of California. Candies such as jelly beans, gum drops, gummy bears, Life Savers, Skittles and Starburst contain 15 g of simple carbohydrates, which puts their GI value at 70 to 75. Simple carbohydrates are found in processed and refined sugars such as syrups and table sugar, which are generally used to produce various types of candies. Simple carbohydrates are easily digested and they can raise blood sugar levels very quickly.
Cereals
Consuming processed cereals can raise your blood glucose levels, according to the website Diabetes.Net.com. Commercialized cereals tend to have a high GI value of 70 to 75. Cheerios and Bran Flakes have a GI value of 74, Raisin Brain has a value of 75, Total has value of 75, Corn Flakes and Corn Chex have a value of 83 and Rice Bran has the highest GI value at 89. Cereals with a high GI value can cause your blood sugar to spike immediately after breakfast.
Breads
Breads tend to be high on the GI scale. Baguettes, donuts and white bread usually have the highest values because they are usually made with refined sugar and white flour. According to the website Carbs Information, dense and fluffy breads tend to contain more simple carbohydrates that cause a sharp increase in blood glucose levels. Donuts have a GI value of 76, bagels have a value of 72, white bread has a value of 75 and baguettes have the highest GI value at 95.
