Tell me about low GI foods please :)

[PumpkinZulu]

What are some low GI foods, everyday kind of things? What would a low GI daily diet look like? I don't know much at all about low GI foods, is it sugar that is the main thing to avoid, and focus more on good carbs? Examples would be appreciated Thankyou heaps!

[christy]

I guess it depends on how much the diet is needed. I know for a diabetic friend of mine, he can't eat potatoes etc as they are too high GI for him. Sweet potatoes are okay.

Generally, avoiding sugar, fructose, bad carb food. Pasta should be wholemeal.... raw foods are better, foods such as sweet potato, quinoa, etc are fantastic as well as seeds and nuts.

Some fruits and vegetables are high GI. Pumpkin, watermelon etc etc...

If its to be a strict diet, it would be worth looking it up and trying to find a list to adhere too.

[fionas]

PZ - just google gestational diabetes dietary plan or something like that or have a look in the GD chatter thread.

Basically avoid having too much carbs eg. you wouldn't have toast for brekkie, a sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner.

Good things for brekkie - a low GI cereal (Special K was recommended), porridge (proper porridge not the sachets that you add milk/water to that are full of sugar)
Good things for lunch - turkey breast sandwich with salad/coleslaw. Or any other sort of meat/fish/salad combo. Avoid too much mayo and coleslaw dressing.
Good snacks - celery with peanut butter.
Good things for dinner - meat and veggies (go easy on the potatoes or swap to sweet potato), dim sums with coleslaw (again, easy on the dressing), wholemeal pasta, wholemeal rice.

I had to be really strict and couldn't even eat wholemeal pasta or rice but given that you just being cautious, you wouldn't need to be anywhere near that strict.

But like I said, google a diet plan. I found it easier to just have a look at meals I could eat rather than see what things were low GI and then have to work out the meals myself.

Oh, and my diabetes educator told me to stick to Burgen bread. Even the bread that calls itself wholemeal often isn't that good. Definitely don't eat white bread.

[PumpkinZulu]

Thanks hun. I did a big Google and found a few really comprehensive lists of Always, Sometimes and Never foods, which is great! A few surprises on those lists...like Pumpkin being a Never food and Snikkers bars, although high in fat, are low GI. Nom, I guess that will be my special treat

[ubba82]

Coles has a low GI potato available called Carisma. Its about $6.00 for a bag. Also, my DH's diabetes nutritionalist said not to eat wholemeal but to eat multigrain bread. Lentils are also great in dishes where you would use mince ie spag bol. Just add a tin to the mince mixture.