# First international food pyramid: bread with whole kernels raises blood glucose more slowly

- Published: 2026-11-14 20:43 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Agritech & food
- Tags: international food pyramid, whole-grain bread, glycemic index, blood glucose, Planetary Health Diet, Brigham Young University, Paderborn University, carbohydrate quality, EAT-Lancet, dietary guidelines
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-aca8b01edb139f398e9bb786_first_international_food/

**Authors from Brigham Young University and Paderborn University published a food pyramid based on national guidelines and over 250 papers; it adds carbohydrate quality and glycemic index.**

![First international food pyramid: bread with whole kernels raises blood glucose more slowly](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/c75b62314b65c3df.webp)
*ad-hoc-news.de*

A research team led by Karen Della Corte of Brigham Young University and Anette Buyken of Paderborn University presented the first international food pyramid at the end of September 2026 in the journal Advances in Nutrition, according to ad-hoc-news.de. [1]

The publication combines national dietary guidelines from Germany, Australia, China, Canada, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries and the USA, and draws on an analysis of more than 250 scientific papers. [1] The guide follows the Planetary Health Diet and largely matches the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). What is new is the explicit consideration of carbohydrate quality and the glycemic index. [1]

## Whole kernels and glycemic index

Many German breads have a relatively high glycemic index. According to the researchers, whole-grain bread made with intact kernels lowers the rise in blood glucose considerably more than products made from finely ground whole-grain flour. [1] Buyken noted that finely milled flour can lead to a stronger glucose rise, while intact kernels fare better metabolically. [1]

Durum wheat semolina pasta, basmati rice and parboiled rice often have a lower glycemic index. [1] The authors stress that the pyramid is not an official regulation but a science-based orientation. [1]

## Rules and reference values

The pyramid sets three basic rules: plant foods should dominate the diet; high-quality plant sources of protein and fat, such as beans, nuts, and rapeseed and olive oil, are preferred over meat and butter; and the type of carbohydrate matters. [1]

For grain products the model suggests a whole-grain share of at least 50 percent. For comparison, since 2024 the DGE has recommended more than three quarters of plant foods and at least one third whole grain among cereals. [1] The draft proposes at most about two portions of animal foods per day and roughly 50 grams of potatoes daily; sugary drinks are rated unfavorable. [1]

Following the EAT-Lancet model, the reference value for red meat is about 14 grams per day on average, or just under 100 grams per week. Plant proteins in place of red meat are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. [1]

## Diabetes background

According to the material, more than 9 million people in Germany live with diabetes, about 7 percent of the population, and roughly 90 percent of them have type 2. Worldwide, about 589 million people have diabetes. [1]

## Sources

1. [ad-hoc-news.de](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/wissenschaft/vollkornbrot-ganze-koerner-lassen-den-blutzucker-deutlich-langsamer-steigen/70509740)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-aca8b01edb139f398e9bb786_first_international_food/