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Glycemic Index (GI)

A ranking system (0–100) that measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose levels.

The Glycemic Index (GI) compares foods based on how rapidly they raise blood sugar after eating. Pure glucose = 100 (reference).

GI Categories

  • Low GI (≤55): Oats, legumes, most fruits — steady energy
  • Medium GI (56–69): Brown rice, whole wheat bread
  • High GI (≥70): White bread, white rice, potatoes — rapid spike

Glycemic Load

GI doesn't account for portion size. Glycemic Load (GL) = GI × carbs per serving / 100. Watermelon has high GI (72) but low GL (4) because it's mostly water.

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