Planning a diet perfect for diabetics can be daunting. Coming to the rescue is the glycemic index (GI) chart. It categorises foods based on their sugar content. However, reading the chart can be a bit confusing. On World Diabetes Day 2023, doctors tell us how to decode the chart and plan the right diet for proper blood sugar management
India has over 101 million people with diabetes. Photo Courtesy: iStock
Key Highlights
- Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly certain foods raise blood sugar levels
- By referencing the GI chart, diabetic patients can create a balanced and sustainable diet
- GI has some limitations too which is why the chart cannot alone guide your diet plan
As per the Indian Council of Medical Research – India Diabetes (ICMR INDIAB) study published in 2023, India has over 101 million people with diabetes. This testifies to the label of India being the diabetes capital of the world. A sedentary lifestyle, stress and unhealthy diet are some of the most common causes of diabetes especially among the young. Although this disease is incurable, doctors state that a combination of proper diet and regular physical exercise is effective in managing blood sugar levels.