Glycemic Load Food Guide Pyramid for Athletic Performance

The classification of carbohydrates (CHO) based on glycemic index (GI), although clinically useful, may lack practical utility in sport as the amount of CHO ingested also affects circulating blood sugar. In attempt to capture the entire glucose raising potential of dietary carbohydrates, the concept of glycemic load (GL) has been introduced to incorporate both the quality and the quantity of cho consumed. This review discusses current research in the area of GI and GL, with emphasis placed on the role of GL in guiding athlete's dietary food choices pre, during, and post exercise.