Abstract
The glycaemic responses of local Pakistani vegetables including Halwa-Kaddu (Cucurabita maxima), Ghiha-Kaddu (Lagenaria sicerariav and Tinda (Citru//us vulgaris unitelicize jistulosus), incorporated into the mixed meals and served with chapatti, as traditionally eaten in the country, were studied in 8 normal and 8 type 2 diabetic subjects. The subjects were given a .50 g carbohydrate portion of different test meals in random order after an over-night fast. Taking the response of chapatti plus egg as 100%, the relative glycaemic responses of the meal containing Halwa-Kaddu, Ghiya-Kaddu and Tinda, respectively were 79±7, 62±5 and 57±6 % in the normal and 68±5, 46±5 and 32±4 % in the diabetic subjects. The difference in response from chapatti plus egg was statistically significant for Halwa-Kaddu, Ghiya-Kaddu and Tinda in both the groups of subjects. Therefore, it was concluded that these indigenous Pakistani vegetable meals may' be used in the dietary management of diabetes. Key words: Glycaemic response, Pakistani vegetable meals, Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
