Impact of Diet on Nutrient Intake, Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load of Meals of Urban Indian Diabetic Population

Abstract

Background: India is heading toward becoming the global diabetic capital directly interconnected to poor lifestyle and obesity. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to find an association between glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with macronutrients and fiber in the diet of the urban Indian population. Materials and Methods: The dietary intake using food frequency questionnaire and 24–h dietary recall of 240 recruited subjects (male and female), between 25 and 60 years were taken in the study. GI and GL of all meals were calculated using values from National and the International Table of GI and GL. Results: Average mean and standard deviation of GI and GL of major meals were on the higher side. A significant correlation between GI of lunch and dinner with total available carbohydrate (CHO) and total starch intake. A positive significant correlation was observed between GI to energy intake at dinner, total available CHO, and total starch. GL of breakfast was negatively correlated to iron, zinc, insoluble, and soluble fiber intake in females. GL for lunch was positively correlated to the intake of total available CHO, total starch, insoluble, and soluble fiber. Conclusion: The present study showed high GI and GL of processed foods and refined CHO indicating that dietary habits with high GI and GL foods are an indicator to risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes among both genders.