These days, most everyone has heard of low carb diets such as the South Beach and Atkins diet but the GI or glycemic index diet is a fairly new name on the diet scene. While low carb diets restrict the quantity of carbohydrates, the GI diet focuses on the quality of carbohydrates. It works by promoting the consumption of foods that are low on the glycemic index, foods which will have a gently effect on your blood sugar levels and keep you full longer.
A typical low carb diet, has a restrictive phase in the beginning where your carbohydrate intake is severely limited. You can eat all the meat you want and fats are also unlimited, although the South Beach Diet does encourage you to stick to low fat meats and healthy fats. As the diet progresses, you can gradually add in more carbohydrates, typically those with a low glycemic index are also those that are lower in carbs.
Although a low GI diet might not be one that you've heard much about before, it has actually been around since the 1970's and is used in many European countries to help manage diabetes. Recently, however, this way of eating has gotten a lot of attention as a healthy way to control weight. This diet focuses on carbohydrates ? "good carbs" have a low glycemic index and you should eat plenty of them (incidentally, these are also the foods that we know to be good for us like fruits, vegetables and whole grains). "Bad carbs" have a high glycemic index and should be eaten in moderation and mixed with the low glycemic index carbs to lower the overall GI of a meal. Since this diet focuses only on carbs it is very easy for vegetarians to adopt this way of eating.
In comparison, a low carb diet can be limiting in fruits and vegetables which are high in vitamins, minerals and enzymes as well as fiber. Many people associate low carb diets with a license to eat as much saturated fat as you want, but that choice is up to the individual so we really can't fault the diet for this misconception. A low GI diet is full of fruits, vegetables, fiber and low in fat but emphasis the good fats found in nuts. It encourages eating lean meats in moderation. While we all know that meats and fats are no carb and green leafy vegetables are low carb, some may not be aware of what foods have a low glycemic index. Most vegetables (except potatoes, beets, pumpkin) have a very low GI. Some fruits that have a low GI include citrus fruits, apples, plums and peaches while most other fruits have a medium GI value. Oatmeal, most pasta and whole wheat bread also have a low gi.
So which diet is best?
Where many people in the health and nutrition profession consider a low carb diet to be unhealthy, most everyone would consider a gi diet to be very healthy. Studies have shown that eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help to bolster your immune system thus allowing you to fight disease and eating high fat meats may adversely affect your health and help contribute to heart disease. That being said, it has also been shown that being overweight is a major health risk for many diseases so the best diet is probably one that works for you! Some folks might respond better to a low carb, others to a low gi. Either way, it makes sense to make healthy food choices, limit food intake and exercise for your good health.
Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of low carb and low gi resource where you can learn more about the glycemic index value of foods.
scheduled cleaning services Winnetka ..There's one thing that most people forget about when it... Read More
I don't know anything about you but if you're anything... Read More
When considering that pathological eating disorders and their related diseases... Read More
When approaching your goals for a better you, every game... Read More
I had 14 weight/health-oriented newsletters in my inbox this morning.... Read More
Wow! You must be on fire by now burning and... Read More
Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit... Read More
--ONE--Learn how to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content... Read More
1. What is my BMI and how do I calculate... Read More
We think we know everything there is to know about... Read More
Although it is obviously not possible to turn the clock... Read More
It is estimated that about 32 million Americans are following... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
Life is great, isn't it? Stop and just look around... Read More
When it comes to our weight and the appearance of... Read More
Once in a while a good title comes along and... Read More
One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape,... Read More
If you are among the millions of people searching for... Read More
Are you one of the 90 million Americans who are... Read More
I'm sure you have heard it before, but one of... Read More
"I never saw it coming, how did I get so... Read More
Welcome to bodybuilding weightloss exercise tips!This is the engine room... Read More
An ancient practice from Eastern Medicine, bowel cleansing is fast... Read More
I really like Dr. Phil, so I wanted to like... Read More
Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More
reliable maid service Lincolnshire ..Getting started on an exercise program is one thing. Staying... Read More
It seems like everywhere you turn, there is someone trying... Read More
A few months ago, I set out to lose 22.6... Read More
A diet may be a fad diet or a healthy... Read More
Temporary weight loss is easy!You simply starve yourself on the... Read More
1. Include in your diet things that contain more water... Read More
It's now official. The simple act of fidgeting can mean... Read More
Wow! You must be on fire by now burning and... Read More
I was shocked. I started to cry...After the holidays, I... Read More
With tons of information out there on "Fat Acceptance" does... Read More
Building a Perfect Body for Body Perfect Fitness and Health... Read More
If you are committed to the low carb way of... Read More
The best way to lose weight is by consuming fewer... Read More
Although many patients have few problems after bariatric surgery, there... Read More
"Help, none of this mainstream stuff works!"There is a specific... Read More
Most people are unsure about how to begin a fat... Read More
Today obesity, diabetes, and heart disease run through us at... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter... Read More
Notice, if you would, that every diet out there only... Read More
At around ?350 pounds a treatment, Lipo-Dissolve the so called... Read More
Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More
Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More
Welcome to bodybuilding weightloss exercise tips!This is the engine room... Read More
Gastric Bypass surgery is becoming increasingly more popular for the... Read More
Low Carb diets have become as popular as apple pie... Read More
Weight Loss |