Recent studies have found that waxy potatoes, like fingerling and red potatoes, have a lower glycemic index than starchy potatoes, like Russet and Idaho potatoes . The cooking method also alters the glycemic index of a potato.
One more query we ran across in our research was “Do potatoes have a low glycemic index?”.
One answer is that there are several food combinations that significantly lower the glycemic index of potatoes. In other words, you can slow the rate of digestion down when you eat potatoes with other foods.
What does low glycemic mean for potatoes?
Glycemic index or GI is a relatively new way of measuring the impact of foods containing carbohydrates on blood sugar. While high GI foods are digested quickly and can cause a big spike in blood glucose and insulin levels in the body, low GI foods digest more slowly, creating more stable blood sugar levels .
Moreover, are potatoes low glycemic for diabetics?
A new potato variety developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada could open up new menu possibilities for people with diabetes and others who follow low GI diets. A team of researchers at the Potato Research Centre in Fredericton, N. B, and the Lethbridge Research Centre in Alberta has developed a low glycemic potato.
What has a lower glycemic index (GI) when boiled potatoes?
Boil – Boiling a potato results in a lower GI than baking. Waxy potatoes have lower GI than floury russet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have even lower GI.
The answer is one study boiled potatoes to 182 degree fahrenheit and then cooled them to 78.8 degrees F , or basically room temperature. Another study found differences in how much the GI could be lowered by cooking then cooling different types of potatoes, with the GI of red potatoes having the greatest reduction after cooking and cooling.
What is the glycemic index of sweet potatoes?
Depending on the type and cooking process, sweet potatoes have a glycemic index of 44 to 94 . Baked sweet potatoes tend to have a much higher glycemic index than boiled ones because of how the starches break down during the cooking process. People who have diabetes can benefit from limiting high-GI foods.
One source claimed they found that potatoes with a waxy texture had medium glycemic index values, while those with a floury consistency had higher glycemic index values. The glycemic index varies depending on the type of potato — Harvard Health Publications reports in its listing of the glycemic index of more than 100 foods.
What foods lower the GI of potatoes?
Acid – Vinegar, citrus or salsa lowers the GI of a potato. Protein – Eating potatoes in combination with protein also lowers GI, making steak and potatoes a better choice than potatoes alone.
Another thing we asked ourselves was do sweet potatoes have a low GI?
Sweet potatoes have even lower GI . Potatoes are economical, have significant nutritional value, and let’s face it, potatoes can be downright delicious. Prepare your potatoes smartly and pair them with foods that lower GI.