Vermicelli is a very popular type of pasta. It is thin, long, and white in colour. It is mostly used in various cuisines around the world, especially in Italy, China, USA and other popular countries. In this article, we will talk about vermicelli and it’s glycemic index in detail.

What are the types of vermicelli?

There are so many types of vermicelli available, but we are going to discuss the main types that are used worldwide for cuisine.

Italian Vermicelli

Italian vermicelli is thin and round in appearance, very similar to spaghetti but thinner then spaghetti. It is made from durum wheat semolina or suji.
Italian vermicelli is mostly used in soups and as a base for pasta dishes in casseroles.

Asian Vermicelli Or Rice Vermicelli

Asian or rice vermicelli is also thin, but translucent noodles are made from rice flour or sometimes mung bean starch. This is the reason behind it’s second name, which is Rice Vermicelli.

Asian vermicelli is made from rice flour, or mung bean starch, and water.
People of Asian continent, mainly those who are living in China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand, use it to make various dishes. Some popular dishes made from rice vermicelli are stir-fries, pho soups, and salads. It is very popular in Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines.

Nutritional Information & Glycemic Index Of Vermicelli

Italian vermicelli is very high in carbohydrates and provides some protein. The glycemic index of Italian vermicelli ranges between 50-60. Which makes it a medium-GI food.

Asian vermicelli is also primarily carbohydrate-based but can be gluten-free if made from rice flour. The glycemic index of Asian vermicelli ranged between 60-70 as it is made from rice flour. which makes it a medium-GI food.

Diabetics Relationship With Vermicelli

Vermicelli is medium GI food and it is safe to eat in diabetes in low to medium amount. Pre-diabetic patients and patients whose diabetes is under control and their blood sugar levels are within a normal range can eat vermicelli.

But if your diabetes is uncontrolled and you need insulin or personal diabetes managers to control your normal blood sugar levels, my personal advice is to avoid things that increase your blood sugar level.