Glucose Impact Calculator
body {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
background-color: #f4f7f6;
color: #333;
line-height: 1.6;
margin: 0;
padding: 20px;
}
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max-width: 800px;
margin: 30px auto;
background-color: #ffffff;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0, 74, 153, 0.1);
padding: 30px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
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text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 25px;
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margin-bottom: 30px;
padding: 20px;
border: 1px solid #d0d0d0;
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.input-group input[type="number"],
.input-group input[type="text"] {
width: calc(100% – 22px); /* Account for padding and border */
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 1rem;
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.input-group input[type="text"]:focus {
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.button-calculate {
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font-weight: bold;
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text-align: center;
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.button-calculate:hover {
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margin-top: 30px;
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.result-section h3 {
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#result {
font-size: 1.8rem;
font-weight: bold;
color: #007bff;
min-height: 50px; /* To prevent layout shift */
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
padding: 10px;
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border-radius: 4px;
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@media (max-width: 600px) {
.calculator-container {
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h1 {
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.result-section #result {
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}
Glucose Impact Calculator
Estimate the potential glycemic impact of a specific food item.
Estimated Glycemic Load (GL) per Serving
Enter details above to see the result.
Understanding the Glucose Impact Calculator
This calculator helps estimate the potential impact of a specific food item on blood glucose levels using the concept of Glycemic Load (GL). While the Glycemic Index (GI) measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose levels, GL takes into account both the GI and the amount of carbohydrates in a typical serving. This provides a more practical measure of a food's actual effect on blood sugar.
How it Works: The Math Behind GL
The calculation is straightforward:
- Calculate Grams of Carbohydrates per Serving:
This is found by multiplying the Grams per Serving by the Carbohydrate Percentage (%) and dividing by 100.
Carbs (g) = (Grams per Serving * Carbohydrate Percentage (%)) / 100
- Calculate Glycemic Load (GL):
The Glycemic Load is then calculated using the formula:
Glycemic Load (GL) = (Carbohydrates (g) * Glycemic Index (GI)) / 100
Interpreting the Glycemic Load (GL)
The GL provides a more nuanced understanding than GI alone:
- GL of 10 or less: Low glycemic load (considered healthier, minimal impact on blood sugar)
- GL of 11 to 19: Medium glycemic load
- GL of 20 or more: High glycemic load (can cause significant spikes in blood sugar)
Use Cases and Considerations
This calculator is a valuable tool for:
- Individuals managing diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- People aiming for weight management.
- Anyone interested in understanding the physiological impact of their diet.
- Nutritionists and dietitians in client consultations.
Important Note: This calculator provides an estimate. Actual blood glucose response can vary based on individual metabolism, food preparation methods, combination with other foods (especially fats and proteins), ripeness of the food, and other factors. Always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice.
function calculateGlucoseImpact() {
var foodName = document.getElementById("foodName").value.trim();
var gramsPerServing = parseFloat(document.getElementById("gramsPerServing").value);
var carbPercentage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("carbPercentage").value);
var glycemicIndex = parseFloat(document.getElementById("glycemicIndex").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
// Clear previous error messages
resultDiv.classList.remove('error');
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Enter details above to see the result.";
// Input validation
var isValid = true;
if (isNaN(gramsPerServing) || gramsPerServing <= 0) {
isValid = false;
document.getElementById("gramsPerServing").style.borderColor = "#dc3545";
} else {
document.getElementById("gramsPerServing").style.borderColor = "#ccc";
}
if (isNaN(carbPercentage) || carbPercentage 100) {
isValid = false;
document.getElementById("carbPercentage").style.borderColor = "#dc3545";
} else {
document.getElementById("carbPercentage").style.borderColor = "#ccc";
}
if (isNaN(glycemicIndex) || glycemicIndex 100) {
isValid = false;
document.getElementById("glycemicIndex").style.borderColor = "#dc3545";
} else {
document.getElementById("glycemicIndex").style.borderColor = "#ccc";
}
// Check if food name is provided (optional but good practice)
if (foodName === "") {
// Not making this an error, but could be a warning if desired
// document.getElementById("foodName").style.borderColor = "#ffc107";
} else {
// document.getElementById("foodName").style.borderColor = "#ccc";
}
if (!isValid) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid numbers for all fields.";
resultDiv.classList.add('error');
return;
}
// Calculation
var carbohydratesPerServing = (gramsPerServing * carbPercentage) / 100;
var glycemicLoad = (carbohydratesPerServing * glycemicIndex) / 100;
// Format and display result
var formattedGL = glycemicLoad.toFixed(2);
var displayMessage = foodName ? `
${foodName}: ` : "";
displayMessage += `${formattedGL}`;
// Add interpretation
var interpretation = "";
if (glycemicLoad = 11 && glycemicLoad = 20) {
interpretation = " (High Impact)";
}
displayMessage += interpretation;
resultDiv.innerHTML = displayMessage;
}