Human Petroleum (page 2 of 2)

A food scoring 50 will raise blood sugar levels approximately half as much as consuming pure glucose. Some foods are actually ingested more quickly and will have a score higher than 100. Foods with a score of 55 or less are considered low on the glycemic index. The glycemic load is computed by comparing the amount of actual carbohydrate in a food to the serving size. Foods with a score of 10 or less are considered low. Here is a list of some sample foods and their glycemic scores:



There are definite patterns to take note of. Raw fruit has a lower GI and GL than juices. White bread, which is highly processed and stripped of fiber, has a higher GI and GL than whole or multi-grain bread (in most cases, some processed whole wheat breads are have a high GI but a lower GL due to the extra fiber). Whole grain cereals like porridge and pearled barley have a lower GI and GL than processed cereals. Brown and wild rice have more fiber and therefore a lower GI than white rice. Most fruits have a low GI, but even fruits such as watermelon with a high GI have a low GL.

Carbohydrates are important because they are the body's preferred source of fuel. They replenish the muscle's internal stores of fuel called glycogen, help the liver regulate appropriate blood sugar levels, and are required by vital organs for the body to function. Unprocessed sources of carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also supply the body with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and special chemicals found in plants known as phytochemicals. Studies suggest phytochemicals may improve overall health by helping the body protect itself against disease.

Don't throw carbohydrates out. In fact, you don't even have to worry about whether the carbohydrates are complex or where they fall on specialized indexes like the glycemic index and glycemic load. Instead, focus on quality, whole, unprocessed carbohydrates. Get the bulk of your "carb calories" from fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You want your vehicle to run on the best fuel possible, so be sure to give your body the best human petroleum available: quality carbohydrates.