What are Low GI foods?

Glycaemic Index (GI) is a numerical system developed to measure how fast a carbohydrate triggers a rise in blood sugar level. So, foods that do not rapidly raise your blood sugar level are known as low glycemic foods.
Since low glycemic foods have a gradual effect on blood sugar levels, they are ideal for people with diabetes, hypoglycemia, and anyone attempting to lose weight.
Low GI diet benefits include weight loss, increased sensitivity to insulin, improved diabetic control, reduced risk of heart disease, healthier blood cholesterol levels, increased energy and stamina.
Everyone should try to cultivate the habit of consuming low GI foods in other to reduce their risk of developing diabetes melitus. Below are some foods with low GI which are readily available.

Fruits
Some very sweet fruits have a low glycemic index. Strawberries, cherries, grapes, peaches, and dried apricots do not raise your blood sugar level too quickly. They are ideal fruits to include in a low GI diet list.
Vegetables
According to www.wikihow.com, vegetables tend to be mostly low GI foods. Increasing consumption of non-starchy vegetables will tell the body to ask for fewer carbohydrates. Choose green vegetables like cauliflower, avocado, and mushrooms. These vegetables almost have no carbohydrates.
Grains
Choose whole grains instead of refined grains. Brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole grains are very good. Bread made with whole grain flour is a good choice. Whole wheat and soy flours are acceptable. Avoid white bread unless it is the new, white, whole-wheat style. Bread and cereals can be low glycemic as well. Raw oat bran for cereal is 50 on the GI index while bread such as soya and linseed are at 36. Long-grain white rice and short-grain white rice are high on the GI index.
Beverages
Few beverages such as whole milk, skimmed milk, and soymilk are considered low for GI. Natural fruit juices like apple juice, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, and orange juice are good juices to add to a low GI diet.
Dairy
Chocolate milk is a low GI food. Most dairy is considered low enough for a low GI diet. Mind you, ice cream is higher than most yogurts, milk, and custards.
Snacks
Chocolate, nuts and corn chips are low GI foods, but they are high in fat and calories. So eat them in moderation
Breakfast foods
Go for cereals based on nuts, oats, barley, and, sometimes, bran. Some bran cereals contain corn syrup, which put them high on the glycemic index. Choose cereals with the least artificial sweetening agents.
Culled from Punch newspaper