The Glycemic Index Diet

The Glycemic Index is a list of foods each of which contains a number. A Glycemic Index diet, often referred to as a GI diet is diet where the foods eaten are determined by how they rate in the index of this chart. The lower the glycemic index of foods the better they are for you.

You will need to refer to a glycemic index chart should you try a GI diet. This will make clear the benefits or limitations of foods that you may have previously considered ‘good’ or perhaps ‘bad’ for you. Some foods that are considered ‘healthy’ for you are actually high in sugars and can raise your blood glucose levels. A glycemic index chart will provide you with all the correct information about each food’s individual glycemic index and help you chose the right foods to eat.

If your medical adviser has suggested that you start a glycemic index diet you may be showing early signs of diabetes. This is serious health risk and but diabetes can be avoided if you change your eating habits before your condition does become irreversible. Become very familiar with foods with a low GI and fill your diet with these. Familiarize yourself with foods with a high GI and avoid these.

For a successful and long term weight loss, make sure that you eat a well balanced diet containing food from each food group. Foods containing proteins, whole grains and plenty of vitamins and minerals are important.  Don’t avoid all carbohydrates. Some foods containing carbohydrates do have a high glycemic index but not all of them. Most importantly, determine which foods containing carbohydrates have a low GI and include these in your diet.

Steer clear of simple carbohydrates as they provide very little nutritional value to your body and increase your blood glucose level. They also convert to fat rapidly. Avoid any carbohydrates with a glycemic index greater than 65. Seek out low GI foods and recipes online and reduce your blood glucose levels and weight as you introduce these into your diet.

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