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.
top rated cleaning service Lake Forest ..Most people think of the Atkins diet when they hear... Read More
Dr. Atkins death was unexpected. On 8 April 2003, he... Read More
Almost everyone has attempted to follow diets and weight loss... Read More
Have you ever thought, "I just can not seem to... Read More
When most people think of low carb diets they automatically... Read More
This past Christmas Season, as most of us stuffed our... Read More
You could try one of the many sexual enhancement drugs... Read More
Weight Loss Axiom Number ThreeInsulin and GlucagonThese are the two... Read More
In December 2003, the FDA incorporated an ephedra ban making... Read More
You are probably familiar with the weight loss connection with... Read More
Have you noticed since your WLS and return to regular... Read More
A diet may be a fad diet or a healthy... Read More
I get asked all the time, "what do you think... Read More
We all know that weight loss is important. We know... Read More
Every day, it seems, a new study pertaining to weight... Read More
Holidays and special events should be a time of great... Read More
One of the biggest misconceptions about exercise is that there... Read More
I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More
Stomach-Stapling Surgery ------------ There's no doubt that stomach-stapling surgery leads... Read More
Diets, diets, diets... every where you go, anything you read... Read More
The Government of the Australian state of Victoria has started... Read More
For a healthy body, it is very important to have... Read More
After weight loss surgery it is important to include as... Read More
Abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" is a major surgical procedure that... Read More
1. What is Atkins Diet? Dr. Atkins diet, first introduced... Read More
insured cleaning company Morton Grove ..Have you ever wondered why some fat people can be... Read More
Eating the right foods and exercising regularly have been the... Read More
Once upon a time, I fretted about going to a... Read More
It is not recommended to lose more than 1 pound... Read More
Only if you're trying to fool the scale on a... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
Hold the onions! Let's talk "liver". No, not beef liver,... Read More
Success stories on the gastric bypass are everywhere, but how... Read More
Looking for Diet Programs on net is like looking for... Read More
Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More
While low-fat dieters and non-dieters may want to avoid chicken... Read More
My last article, Make Diets Work, concluded that dieting the... Read More
Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat.... Read More
Experts tell us that overweight or obese children have reached... Read More
There have been endless numbers of fad diets over the... Read More
It's always great to find a protein supplement with very... Read More
I've worked with hundreds of people who were interested in... Read More
A distorted body image is one of the symptoms that... Read More
It's agreed that if you raise the amount of calories... Read More
As a low carb dieter, you have probably been bombarded... Read More
Nice girls don't speak up. Nice girls take care of... Read More
Low carb diets can be classified as food plans that... Read More
I know, I know. What a crazy question!Considering that we've... Read More
Axiom Number FourTo have a great selling diet plan encourage... Read More
Just because you're working hard, doesn't mean that you're working... Read More
Weight Loss |