GI & GL = Glycaemic Index & Glycaemic Load

• GI and GL – this is the Glycaemic Index and Glycaemic Load.

The GI is a relatively newly-constructed guide on carbohydrate foods according to their effect on blood glucose levels. From this, a healthy balance of carbohydrate types can be ascertained.

The GL is all to do with the composition of an individual’s diet according to the composition of foods with a GI value. Simply put: a High GI food is said to be rather unhealthy (makes blood glucose level high, presistently) compared to one with a Low GI (keeps blood glucose level lower).

Problems with a diet of high GI foods is said to be obesity, coronary heart disease, diabetes – these are the aspects you need to consider for relating diet to health and disease.