Why Does a Low GI Diet Help with Weight Loss? Tyldesley
Why Does a Low GI Diet Help with Weight Loss?
Imagine a healthy and satisfying diet where blood sugar levels are stabilised, cravings are a thing of the past, and you lose weight and lower your risk of diabetes or heart disease in the process. Here's why including foods with a low Glycemic Index (GI) in your diet is thought to be good for weight loss - and good for your health.
If you want to lose weight you'll find a plethora of diets to choose from, and while some plans go out of fashion quicker than the latest designer handbag, others have more staying power. The Glycemic Index (GI) diet is one such diet - believed by nutritionists and dieticians to be an effective programme for weight loss, and if followed correctly, for good health.
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a system which tells you how fast eating a particular food will cause your blood sugar levels to increase. It was developed by a professor researching dietary recommendations for diabetics. GI is a ranking from 1 to 100 which measures the effect of a food on your blood-glucose level two hours after the food has been eaten Low GI foods have an index rating of 55 or less, medium GI foods a rating of 56 to 69 and high GI food a rating of 70 or more. In short, food with a high GI will produce a sudden rush in blood sugar while food with a low GI will help your blood sugar remain stable - which is where you want it to be.
Low GI diet foods
Low GI foods include wheat bran, barley, oats, seeded and grainy bread, pasta, brown or white long grain rice and lentils. Eating low GI foods can help with weight loss because they provide the body with a more balanced supply of energy so you will feel fuller for longer, and not feel the urge to raid the kitchen cupboards for snacks then doubtless put on lots of weight. Carbohydrates like French Fries, potatoes, white bread and short grain rice have a high GI index providing the opposite effect.
Profile of the Author: This article is written by Sarah Dawson , a freelance journalist and regular contributor to Private Health UK
