ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

The glycemic load differs from glycemic index in that it considers what?

1. The quality of protein in the food

2. The fat content of the food

3. The amount of carbohydrate in a serving

4. The overall nutrient density of the food

The correct answer is: The amount of carbohydrate in a serving

The glycemic load is a more comprehensive measure than glycemic index because it takes into account both the glycemic index of a food and the amount of carbohydrate contained in a typical serving size. While glycemic index measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose levels, glycemic load provides a practical estimate of how a serving of the food will impact blood sugar levels by multiplying the glycemic index of the food by the amount of carbohydrates in that serving. This makes glycemic load particularly useful for understanding the potential impact of portion sizes on blood sugar levels. The other considerations, such as protein quality, fat content, or overall nutrient density, do not directly relate to how glycemic load is defined or measured. These factors are important for overall nutritional assessment but do not influence the calculation of glycemic load. Thus, understanding the amount of carbohydrate in a serving is essential for determining its glycemic load, making it the correct choice in this context.