When you eat carbohydrates, your body responds to them by releasing insulin, a hormone. The carbohydrates cause your blood sugar to rise, and the insulin signals your cells to uptake the glucose. Diet foods are often a combination of carbohydrates, protein and some fat. Your body's reaction to diet foods depends on the type of carbohydrates and amount of added sugars found in that food.
Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load
Different carbohydrates cause a different type of rise in the blood sugar levels, and these rises are compared to how pure glucose affects blood sugar. The effect of pure glucose is rated at 100, and then the other carbohydrates are compared to them. This rating is collectively called the glycemic index. When you take the glycemic index rating of the carbohydrate and the quantity consumed, you get a number called the glycemic load, according to the University of Sydney. If you have high blood sugar, the glycemic index rating can help you select foods that will not affect your blood sugar drastically and will keep your blood sugar steady.
Diet Foods
The category of foods considered "diet foods" is vague and varies by brand and medical expert. Foods that are designed to be healthy, such as those that have been modified to be lower in fat, sugar, or sodium, are commonly marketed as diet foods. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, you should focus on eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. In a broader sense, these food groups can also be identified as diet foods. Diet foods are also foods that have been formulated to help you lose weight, such as weight-loss bars and shakes. These foods also have an impact on your blood sugar.
Glycemic Impact of Food
The effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar depends on the type of carbohydrates consumed. Whole-grain carbohydrates take a longer time to digest and absorb, and these foods are low glycemic. They cause less of a blood sugar reaction than high-glycemic foods, such as those made from refined carbohydrates. In addition to the effects of carbohydrates, fats also affect the glycemic response of food. According to the University of Sydney, fatty foods, such as french fries, have a lower glycemic impact than baked potatoes, even though baked potatoes are the more healthy caloric option between the two. When choosing foods to eat, you cannot base your decisions just on the glycemic rating.
Glycemic Impact of Diet Shakes and Meal Bars
According to the Slim Fast website, its weight-loss shakes are designed to have a low glycemic index ranking, at less than 55 on a scale of 100. The shakes are designed to satisfy your hunger without causing a blood sugar spike, so that you do not experience a sugar high and then a sugar low. The meal bars are also designed to be low-glycemic foods. If you have high blood sugar, you should carefully read the nutrition facts and information to see if the brand you select is low glycemic. Be sure to look at the overall calories and fat content of the items as well.
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