Monday, November 19, 2007

How You Can Lose Weight On A Low Glycemic Index Diet

Many a time weight watchers with diabetic condition were told to adopt a low Glycemic Index food as the chosen diet. What is meant by low Glycemic Index (GI) food? GI measures the effect of certain carbohydrate foods on the blood sugar levels when taken. Carbs are classified into high, intermediate and low GI foods depending on the speed of conversion into glucose that impacts your blood sugar levels. A GI of 55 and below is considered as low.

Studies have confirmed that refined carbs when taken will cause the insulin in your body to be released quickly in order to convert the simple sugars to glucose for use by the body cells. Your body in turn craves for more food and sugar and insulin are again released to metabolize the sugar conversion. This process when repeated becomes detrimental to the body as insulin is overproduced. Even a slightest thought of taking a certain food may cause your insulin level to rise though there is no physical intake of the food. When this happens, your body metabolism is confused and may soon develop into a condition called insulin resistance.

The GI diet is a step ahead when comes to taking carbs as part of a weight loss diet plan. Under the high protein and low carbs diet, your carbs intake is reduced drastically and your body naturally crave for more food so you may ended up consuming more protein and fats as a result. You know that taking high protein food may lead to other health complications due to its saturated fats content. With the low GI food, your carbs content is maintained as part of a balance meal. Instead you substitute with complex carbs that are slow to cause a rise in blood sugar levels as the digestion and conversion is much slower due to its complex nature. In this way, your low GI food helps your body to respond to insulin more efficiently. Glucose is transported slowly into your bloodstream to keep your body's energy level well balanced. As a weight loss strategy, you'd feel less hungry between meals. With low GI food, your weight can thus be controlled and managed and yet become more healthy. Your concentration should improve as well as your energy level.

The benefit of taking a low GI food has been well documented and one should take heed of the long term health benefits. Whether or not you have an insulin problem, consume low GI foods as part of your diet and you'll be on the way to a healthy weight loss.

No comments: