Low-Glycemic Index Diets: Should They Be Recommended for Diabetics?

Diabetes continues to be an overwhelmingly prevalent disease worldwide, and its occurrence continues to increase. It is well established that medical nutrition therapy is effective for glycemic control, but the exact diet recommended to diabetics remains unknown. The relatively new glycemic index (GI) and the low-glycemic index (LGI) diets are gaining momentum, but their place in diabetic therapy continues to be controversial. This article presents a review of the current literature on the LGI diet and its relation to glycemic control in diabetics. There is ample evidence that the LGI diet significantly improves glycemic control in diabetics, but there is also much criticism. Nurse practitioners need to educate themselves on the GI concept and the LGI diet to educate patients and accurately identify who will most benefit from the LGI diet.