Low hypoglycemic foods are broken down slowly by your body and have minimal impact on your body's blood glucose. These foods, mainly complex carbohydrates, gradually release glucose into the blood stream, maintaining a consistent level of blood sugar and minimizing blood sugar crashes. Low hypoglycemic foods help when trying to control diseases like diabetes, and can help you lose weight. According to Harvard Medical School, the Glycemic index, or GI, provides information for foods and how is affects blood sugar. Foods with a GI under 55, out of a scale of 100, are considered low glycemic foods.
Fruit
With the exception of pineapple, raisins and water melon, most fruits are low on the Glycemic index list. Cherries, grapefruit, prunes, apples, pears and strawberries all have a GI under 40. Grapes, mango, papaya and bananas, while containing more sugar, still have GIs under 55 and are low hypoglycemic index foods.
Vegetables
Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, mushrooms and red peppers are low hypoglycemic foods with a GI of 10. Other vegetables, including peas, carrots, corn and beets have moderate GI with ratings under 65. Starchy vegetables like white potatoes, parsnips and squashes have high GI, with ratings grater than 70.
Grains, Pastas, Breads and Cereals
Long grain rice and barley are considered low GI grains, both with GIs under 38. Pastas such as egg noodles, whole wheat spaghetti, macaroni and linguine are all low GI foods pastas. Certain breads, including pumpernickel, rye and stone ground whole wheat are considered low GI breads. Most cereals are moderate to high on the GI list, the exception being bran cereal, which has a GI of 42.
Meat, Eggs and Dairy
The GI measures how food, specifically carbohydrates, influences blood glucose levels. Meat, eggs and dairy products contain little to no carbohydrates; these foods are all considered low hypoglycemic foods.
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