If you are diabetic, you need to know about the glycemic index. The glycemic index ranks foods based on the carbohydrates in those foods from zero to 100. It looks at how the carbohydrates raise the blood sugar. The glycemic index can literally be a lifesaver -- helping you to get your blood sugar levels under control, allowing you to lose weight, and allowing you to eat foods that you like -- all at the same time!

The glycemic index is available in print and online, so you can find the GI of foods. Not all foods are listed, however. Foods such as chicken, beef, eggs, and many nuts, seeds, and fruits are not listed. This is because these foods do not contain carbohydrates, and therefore have no effect on glucose levels.

The idea is to eat only foods that have a low GI. These are foods that have a GI of 55 or lower. Studies have found that a high-carbohydrate diet, eating foods that have a low GI, have been more successful than low-carbohydrate diets. This is especially important for lifelong changes, such as the ones that diabetics must make. It is hard to stick to low-carb diets, just as it is hard to stick to low-calorie diets, for life, but it is easy to live your entire life eating a low-GI diet.

Diabetics are encouraged to try a low-GI diet. You should choose smart carbs from the GI database, and also try to keep the amount of saturated fat to a minimum, and consume good fats. It is recommended that you eat five servings of vegetables a day, with two fruits.

The GI is proving to be so effective, and so beneficial, that it is just a matter of time before the GI of packaged foods start appearing on the labels -- which will make shopping for a low-GI diet much easier.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Diabetes and has helped thousands of diabetes sufferers control their blood sugar. For more articles and resources on easy diabetes management, natural diabetes medication, diabetes symptoms and much more visit his site at: http://diabetes.need-to-know.net/