Eat fruit and vegetables, of course, but not just any kind! And yes, some vegetables have a high glycemic index!
A food with a high glycemic index raises blood sugar levels and encourages the storage of sugar in the form of fat. Are you watching your diabetes or simply your diet? Eat the following vegetables in moderation!
Vegetables to watch out for…
It’s not the vegetables themselves that have a high glycemic index (GI), but the way they’re prepared! Cooking them increases their sweetness!
Cooked beet
Cooking beet raises its glycemic index from 30 when raw to 65 when cooked! It has a medium GI, which means it can affect blood sugar levels if consumed in large quantities.
Nevertheless , beet is packed with health benefits. It’s rich in fiber, nutrients and antioxidants! Eat beet, yes, but in moderation!
Pumpkin and gourd
Pumpkins are rich in vitamins C and E, which boost your immunity! They’re also low in calories and help regulate intestinal transit!
What’s more, they are antioxidant and good for your vision! However, they have a high GI of around 75. Eat in moderation!
Cooked turnip
Turnips are a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables. This vegetable is an excellent source of fiber, as well as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus!
It’s low in calories and packed with antioxidants! What’s more, it helps reduce the risk of cancers such as colon cancer!
Nevertheless, cooked turnips have a high GI of 85! That’s twice the GI of raw turnip! To eat it without ruining its GI, eat turnip in salad or carpaccio!
Parsnips
This root vegetable from the carrot family is packed with minerals and vitamins. Parsnips have a pleasantly sweet taste!
Rich in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins! Nevertheless, parsnips have a medium-to-high GI of 97!
Excessive consumption of high-GI foods can cause blood sugar spikes and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
We recommend eating foods with a low or moderate glycemic index.