Mismatch between measured and perceived glycaemic index of Malaysian snack foods: a preliminary study

This study investigated the concordance between measured glycaemic index (GI) values of Asian snack foods and consumer perceptions of their GI, addressing limited empirical evidence and inconsistencies in GI labelling. The measured GI of seven commonly consumed Malaysian snacks was determined in at least 10 healthy adults using standard GI testing protocol, while consumer perceptions of the GI category (low, medium, or high) of these snacks were assessed via an online survey completed by 110 adults. With measured GI, four snacks were classified as high GI, one as medium, and two as low. Consumer accuracy in correctly identifying GI categories varied widely, ranged from 5.5% – 89.1%, with systematic overestimation of low-GI snacks and underestimation of some high-GI snacks. These findings highlight a disconnect between actual and perceived GI values, underscoring the need for clearer GI labelling, targeted education, and improved GI communication.