Diabetic Diet, Symptoms
Glycemic Index

Diabetes Diet  

Extremely Low Glycemic Index Foods*

Updated 2-2-13 - This is an extensive list of meats, vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry and fats that are very low glycemic.  On the table below you will see them listed with numerical values like 0 or under 20 or > 20, the numbers vary up to > 40 but under 55 is considered low on the usual glycemic index charts.  These foods are low glycemic  because they contain little or no carbohydrates or sugars (which cause blood sugar to rise). 

Another way to determine the approximate glycemic index of any food is to look for the carb content.  Low carbohydrate foods are generally low glycemic index foods.

The listings of meat, poultry and fish do not include all varieties but all unprocessed items are mostly 0 on the GI scale.  Some processed meats have added sugar or other high glycemic additives which raise the glycemic index a bit (bacon is one example along with luncheon meats like bologna).  Check the carbohydrate content of the food in order to estimate the glycemic index.

Nearly all fish are 0 on the glycemic index (processed products such as surimi are not included, they may be higher).   Adding anything to the fish, including bread crumbs or flour, will of course, increase the glycemic index.  Some shellfish are also higher, again, check the carb content to decide about the GI. Below is a table or list of common very low glycemic index foods.

Many vegetables are very low glycemic and are an especially good choice for diabetics, particularly when eaten in salads or raw.

Resources for this list came from the University of Sydney lists as well as from the USDA lists of carbohydrate contents of many foods.

Read about our Diabetic diet for weight loss and blood sugar control

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