Is popcorn a fast or slow acting carbohydrate? My son likes this snack to treat lows as a slow acting carbohydrate. When I check the glycemic index, it says it is a fast.

Actually, the glycemic index (GI) of plain microwaved popcorn is 55 on the glycemic index chart. This categorizes popcorn as an intermediate glycemic index food.

Low glycemic index foods include those with GI values less than 55. Foods with a GI index between 55 and 70 are considered intermediate. High glycemic index foods include GI values greater than 70.

The complete list of the glycemic index and glycemic load for 750 foods can be found in International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002 by Kaye Foster-Powell, Susanna H.A. Holt, and Janette C. Brand-Miller in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002 Jul;76(1):5-56.

JMS