The GI Symbol and Your Food Labels

What is the GI Symbol?

The Glycemic Index Symbol is a powerful tool for quickly and reliably making healthy food choices when grocery shopping. It’s your guarantee that the GI value stated near the nutrition information label is accurate. Foods with the GI Symbol are healthy in other ways, too. To be approved to carry the GI Symbol, foods must be a good source of carbohydrate and meet a host of other nutrient criteria including calories/kilojoules, total and saturated fat, sodium (salt), and where appropriate fibre and calcium.

Why put the GI Symbol on food labels?

The GI Symbol makes healthy choices easy choices. Most of us find it hard to work out what all of the different nutrition claims and nutrition information means, and just because a food may claim to be low GI, it does not mean that it has been tested correctly, if at all. Foods that carry the GI Symbol meet strict nutrient criteria ensuring they are healthy choices, and the GI value is certified as accurate. Managing your blood glucose levels is one of the keys to lifelong health. Choosing low Glycemic Index carbohydrates – the ones that produce smaller fluctuations in your blood glucose and insulin levels – reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It’s also one of the keys to sustainable weight loss. Low GI eating is for everybody. The GI Symbol helps you put those smart low GI carbohydrate foods into your shopping trolley and lower the overall GI of your diet. © 2013 THE GI FOUNDATION, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED