Glycemic Index (GI) : Low GI Foods For Dogs
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a system that measures the effects that the carbohydrates in foods have on blood sugar levels. While carbohydrates provides one with energy and activeness, not all carbohydrates are good.
Low GI Foods = Good Carbohydrates
Low GI Foods are considered good carbohydrates, they contain carbohydrates that are digested slowly, providing energy that is sustained for long period of time. Low GI Foods are better assimilated in the body and result in healthier blood sugar and insulin control, further facilitates weight control, disease prevention, increased energy, and improved mood.
High GI Foods, on the contrary, are those with carbohydrates that are digested quickly and easily, resulting in a quick spike of energy followed by a rapid crash. This negatively affect insulin and blood sugar controls, provide unwanted calories, and can cause health issues such as obesity and diabetes.
Glycemic Index Guide
Foods are rated on a scale of 1 to 100, with Low GI Foods having a rating of 55 or under, High GI Foods having a rating of 70 or higher, while range of 56-60 considered to be Medium GI Foods.
How do I know if the food are Low GI Foods?
Most people will have thoughts on how could one measure the food’s Glycemic Index? Easy. All we need to do is to read the nutritional label and study the ingredients.
Below table is a GI index of commonly found carbohydrates in the pet food ingredients.
Chart reference: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/1/glycemicindex.pdf
What about Zignature Dog Food?
Zignature Grain-Free is being the lowest GI Foods with a GI of 12 – 16. Below is a snippet of the Test Food Results by Glycemic Research Institute that Zignature is certified as a Low GI Food.
TEST FOOD RESULTS (continued)
Per the Official Protocols and Methodologies for determining the Glycemic Impact of Pet Foods: Certified Low Glycemic & Low Diabetic Impact, as approved by the Glycemic Research Institute® (GRI), the Test Food Results are as follows:
- Zignature Brand Catfish Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Duck Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Goat Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Guinea Fowl Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Kangaroo Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Lamb Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Pork Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Salmon Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Trout & Salmon Meal Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Turkey Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Venison Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Whitefish Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
- Zignature Brand Zssential Multi Protein Formula: Canine Food: PASSED
As for Zignature Select Cuts, ancient grains such as Oats, Millet, and Quinoa are classified as low GI Foods. Given that, both Zignature Grain Free and Zignature Select Cuts fit in the profile of low GI diet.
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