Would you recommend your diabetic patients to go on a low glycaemic index (GI) eating plan? Is the low GI concept popular in Hong Kong? Do you think it can be a practical way to help people with diabetes, overweight and PCOS in HK?

I do not routinely teach patients with detailed assessment of glycemic index (and also glycemic load) although I do believe different food containing carbohydrate has different values. In selected patients, this may give the individual with extra benefit in furthering glycemic control. The whole idea is very complex and most people will not be able to understand this fully as to make this practical. Counting carbohydrate with simple equivalents is easier. Most people will realize that eating sticky rice give you a higher post meal glucose than rice and wholegrain is better than white bread. Weight reduction by diet (reduce energy intake) and exercise will benefit people who are overweight with or without diabetes and/or PCOS.