Study on the chemical composition of gluten-free cereal bars and application of the calculation method for assessing the glycemic index and glycemic load

When developing food products for children, along with the balanced composition in terms of macro- and micronutrients, the presence of biologically active minor components, a large role is played by the indicators of digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Glycemic index (GI), as well as glycemic load (GL), which represents the value of GI actual impact taking into account the portion of the product and the content of carbohydrates in it are such indicators. The aim of the study is to study the chemical composition of the gluten-free cereal bars “Morkovnyj” and “Yagodnyj” developed on the basis of expanded grain as well as to determine the GI and GL values. Standard methods were used to study the chemical composition, and a calculation method was used to assess the GI and GL, taking into account the content of essential nutrients in the product, as well as their ability to influence the GI values. It has been established that the protein content in the studied bars averages 5.4 g/100 g of product, and the dietary fiber content ranges from 10.2 g/100 g to 11.9 g/100 g, mainly represented by soluble dietary fiber, which accounts for up to 86.3 %. Carbohydrates are mainly represented by starch - an average of 65.9 % of the total content. The content of mono- and disaccharides averages 17.5 %, of which 50.5 % is glucose. Average glycemic index values of the developed bars are 63 and 64, average glycemic load values of a 30 g portion are 13.6 and 14.3, respectively, despite the fact that in their composition expanded grain accounts up to 62 %, and starch syrup up to 39.6 %. This is probably due to the presence of protein and dietary fiber sources in the recipe, which reduce the degree of absorption of carbohydrates, which is taken into account in the used method of calculating GI and GL. Thus, the obtained data indicate that the gluten-free cereal bars based on expanded grain for children nutrition, intended as a safe snack, are capable of sating the body quickly and for a relatively long time and restoring energy reserves. Adding mandatory labeling with GI and GN values will allow consumers to take a more informed approach to choosing food products, which is especially important for children with dietary restrictions.