Glycaemic index and glycaemic load of an optimized mixed diet (optimiX®)

A. Buyken, A. Wendt, M. Kersting, A. Kroke, Dortmund

The present study determined the dietary glycaemic index and the dietary glycaemic load (GL) of an optimized mixed diet (optimiX®) developed by the Research Institute of Child Nutrition for children and adolescents. OptimiX® provides menu plans for 7 days.

Mean GI and GL values were calculated for all 35 (5 x 7) meals on the basis of GI values published and evaluated according to the following classification: low GI ≤55 %, high GI ≥70 %; low GL ≤74 g/1000 kcal, high GL ≥95 g/1000 kcal.

Averaging the 7-day menu yielded a GI of 55 % and a GL of 74 g/1000 kcal for 4- to 6-year-old children and for 13- to 14-year-old children of both sexes. In all age groups very high GI or GL values were obtained in 5 of the 35 meals. Cornflakes (GI: 81) served for breakfast and jelly beans (GI: 78) in a snack resulted in GL values of 144–157 g/1000 kcal.

When these high GI food items were replaced by similar food of a lower GI, considerably lower GL values were obtained (e.g. by substituting whole-meal cornflakes containinig dried fruit for common cornflakes). In another 3 meals, whole-meal wheat bread (GI: 71) and French fries (GI: 78) produced mean GI and GL values slightly above the range defined

OptimiX®, a practical implementation of the current reference values published by the German Nutrition Society for children and adolescents, is also characterised by a low dietary GI and GL.

Keywords: Glycaemic index / glycaemic load / optimized mixed diet (optimiX®)

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs-Umschau 04/05 ab Seite 140.