The Glycemic Index is a way to measure which foods metabolize more quickly in the body. High glycemic index food will raise and drop ones blood sugar more quickly, making them feel hungry sooner. These are also foods that are less nutrient dense. For example, higher glycemic index food will be made of sugars and bad carbohydrates, while foods with a lower glycemic index will be made of whole grains or good carbohydrates.

Many diets of today, such as the Atkins or South Beach methods, use the glycemic index food list to help their followers know which foods are right for them to eat while on the diet. They rest firmly on the fact that bad carbohydrates, or higher glycemic index food, make you gain weight since it is necessary to eat more. This makes sense when you think about the fact that high glycemic index foods raise and lower your blood sugar more quickly, making you want to eat again sooner than you would if you had enjoyed a meal filled with whole grains, vegetables, and lean meats all of which are low glycemic index foods.

Regardless of whether or not you are into the low-carb diet fad, most health and nutrition experts agree that eating foods such as lean meats, vegetables, and whole grains - all which are low glycemic index foods - is a great way to help control and prevent conditions such as heart disease and obesity while keeping your overall health in optimal shape. If you have a condition such as this or are concerned about leading a healthy lifestyle, studying the glycemic index and identifying your problem foods may help you with your goals.

Many that have found themselves leading a low-carb lifestyle agree that once your body stops craving these bad carbs, you will begin to find good carbs, or low glycemic index foods, more enjoyable and delicious. So, give it a try for a week or two and see if using the glycemic index to find the right foods is a dietary change that you can live by.