Deane,

It might be the type of carbs that are being consumed, more legumes and less highly processed food. When a lot of this type of low GI carb is consumed they can lower the glycemic load of carbs that are higher on the glycemic index. So that say most of the day low gi veggies and legumes are consumed - but there is some white rice in the meals - the veggies and legumes are low gi and have a very low gi load when eaten with the white rice which has a high GI it lowers the effect of the gi load of the rice. In the Montignac plan, this is known as a compensation. Also the Aisian and Mid Eastern countries normally have a much higher fibre intake than North American (that is if they are eating in a traditional manner and have not been seduced by North American or Highly Modernized products)