<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Perhaps this explains the weight gain with the different flours. In the book, ENTER THE ZONE, (Barry Sears), the glycemic index is explained as the rate at which the carbohydrate enters the bloodstream. Quoting from Sears: "There are 3 common sugars that comprise all edible carbohydrates, and each has a different molecular structure, which ultimately determines its rate of entry into the bloodstream. Glucose is the most common of these sugars, followed by fructose and galactose." "Glucose is found in grains, pasta, bread, cereal, starches and vegetables. Fructose is primarily found in fruits. Galactose is found in dairy products. However, while all of these simple sugars are rapidly absorbed by the liver, only glucose can be released directly into the bloodstream. This is whyglucose-rich carbohydrates....virtually sprint back from the liver into the bloodstream, while galactose and fructose, which first must be converted to glucose in the liver, enter the bloodstream at a slower rate.." (pages 16 - 17) How is the glycemic index determined? In addition to the structure of the simple sugars in the food - glucose, galactose or fructose - the amount of soluble fiber and the fat content of the food are also players. Fiber acts to slow down the rate of entry of other carbs into the blood. The higher the fiber content of a carb, Sears says, the slower the rate of entry into the blood. So a high glycemic, low fiber food is easily digested, and absorbed into your bloodstream. Now, Sear's approach is to balance the insulin - glucagon levels, and I'm not going to try to go into that, except to say that these high glycemic foods cause our bodies to release insulin in a quick response. The standard for glycemic index is white bread. Foods that have a higher index than white bread - less fiber, more glucose: Puffed rice Corn Flakes ... Millet Instant Rice Instant potato Microwaved potato Simple sugars (Maltose, glucose) Tofu ice cream Puffed rice cakes. Foods that are high fiber, low in glucose (Reduced insulin secretion): Grain based foods: Barley Oatmeal (slow-cooking) Whole grain rye bread Fruits: Apple Apple juice Applesause Pears Grapes Peaches Vegetables: idney beans Lentils Black-eyed peas Chick-peas Dried Kidney beans Lima beans Tomato soup Peas A complete list is on pages 269 - 272 of The ZONE. Maybe consciously increasing fiber content is significant. Incidentally, in the US, metacmucil powder is gluten free, the wafers are not. I just called Proctor & Gamble to confirm a week & a half ago. Bec [log in to unmask] Pennsylvania