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Choosing the Right GI Foods for the Job
When to Use High Glycemic Foods, When to Use Low… and the Effect on Blood Glucose
As we discussed in The Glycemic Index Explained, the goal for managing type 1 diabetes is to match insulin action with the rate of digestion of the food, so that you have the right amount of insulin, at the right time, to cover the food eaten. With that in mind, there are some times when a high glycemic, quick-digesting food is exactly what’s needed; and other times when it’s wise to avoid…
When Are Low GI Foods Useful?
Tips from the Trenches
My son’s school snack is scheduled for 9:30am, which is only an hour and a half after he finishes breakfast. At this time, his blood glucose is often still above range – if we add a high GI snack at this time, his blood glucose is likely to shoot upward from an already-high starting point. To help mediate this, we choose to send school snacks that are either low carb, or low GI.
~Michelle
When Are High GI Foods Useful?
There are times when low GI foods are actually counterproductive, and high GI foods may be more appropriate:
Tips from the Trenches
I generally send low carb or low GI snacks for my son’s school snack. However, for days when he comes into snack-time below target, we keep a supply of high GI crackers on hand at school so he can eat these before or instead of his regular snack.
~Michelle
Tips from the Trenches
If my son eats a follow-up snack within the first 15 minutes following a low treatment, I have found that it works out best to steer him towards high GI foods, such as a white bun with jam (with insulin to cover this post-low-treatment snack). If he eats something like whole grain crackers with peanut butter (low GI), he tends to recover more slowly from the low, the irresistible hunger persists, so he tends to over-eat for the post-low snack. The result is often a bigger spike in blood glucose (low rebound) later.
~Danielle
The above information was reviewed for content accuracy by clinical staff of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Diabetes Clinic.
This material has been developed from sources that we believe are accurate, however, as the field of medicine (in particular as it applies to diabetes) is rapidly evolving, the information should not be relied upon, as it is designed for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.
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