Understand Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load: 5 Key Principles for Better Blood Sugar Control

Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health, especially for those with diabetes or prediabetes. Two important concepts to understand to manage health and wellbeing when making food choices especially if you want to manage diabetes are the Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL). Here are five principles to help you make better food choices based on these concepts: 1. Prioritize Low Glycemic Index Foods The Glycemic Index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Foods with a low GI cause a slower, more gradual rise in blood sugar, which is beneficial for maintaining stable energy levels and avoiding spikes. Examples of low GI foods include non-starchy vegetables, beans, and certain fruits like apples, pears, pomegranate and berries. 2. Consider Glycemic Load for a Comprehensive View Glycemic Load (GL) takes into account both the quality (GI) and quantity of carbohydrates in a food. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of a food’s impact on

Stretching for physical flexibility

The prolong sitting and inactivity causes tight muscles. The tight muscles are not flexible and can lead to injury physical activities, and could even contribute to the development of pain. 

To prevent tight muscles, it is important to stretch the muscles for pain free mobility but do it to the degree which is comfortable without going beyond the limitsThe stretches can be performed several times each day, Stop stretch if you feel pain.

Stretching energises individual wellbeing and prosperity, and enables diminishing to pressure. Set aside some effort to give your body what it needs to feel present and evaluate a portion of these straightforward stretches that you may do consistently.



Ankle stretch




Rotate your lower leg/ankle for 10 to 15 times in each clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.







Calf stretch


You can stand near a wall and one foot in-front of the other, The front knee is slightly bent. Keep your back leg straight and your heel on the ground and lean toward the wall. 

You can hold for 10 seconds before switching to the other side. Do it few times. Stop stretch if you feel pain.





Hamstring stretch





Hamstring muscles is between pelvis and back of each knee. It help to flex the knee and extend the hip. Hold 10 to 20 seconds each leg per stretch. Do it few times. Stop stretch if you feel pain.







Quadriceps stretch





Each stretch is for 10 to 15 seconds. Do it few times. Stop stretch if you feel pain.








Shoulders stretch





Do the shoulder stretch 10 to 20 seconds each side. The stretches can be performed several times each day, Stop stretch if you feel pain.







Triceps stretch






Do this triceps stretch 10 to 20 seconds each side. Do it few times. It can be done while standing or sitting.







Torso stretch





Do this torso stretch 10 to 20 seconds each side. Do it few times. Stop stretch if you feel pain.







Trapizoids stretch




Trapezoids are located in the upper back Do it 10 to 20 seconds for two rounds.









Hamstring and back stretch





This stretch is for hamstring and back. Do it 10 to 20 seconds for two rounds.







Triceps stretch




Do this triceps stretch 10 to 20 seconds each side. Do it few times. It can be done while standing or sitting.







Neck stretch




Do it slowly 10 to 15 times in each side. Stop stretch if you feel pain.








Twist stretch




10 to 20 seconds in each side. Do it few times. Stop stretch if you feel pain.










There is no golden rule for how much you do stretching but remember do it for few minutes and do it to the degree which is comfortable without going beyond the limitsThese stretches can be performed several times each day, Stop stretch if you feel pain.


References and Further reading:
  1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273886/
  3. https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/exam-preparation-blog/2966/types-of-stretching/