Low GI Diet
A
low GI diet, or a
low glycemic index diet is another way of describing a low carb diet. A
low carb diet restricts the intake of high
carbohydrate foods resulting in
weight loss. When the body takes in carbohydrates it burns them off and uses them as energy. When carbohydrates are restricted from the diet the body will then reach into the body's fat stores for energy instead.
Eating low cab food means that the body will continuously burn off extra fat on the body instead of burning off carbohydrates for energy.
Every food has a certain number of carbohydrates and the
glycemic index rates foods based on how many carbohydrates are in the food. Foods with a high glycemic index are usually in the white bread category like bagels, pasta, pizza, muffins and many baked goods. Other foods that are high on the glycemic index are foods with a high content of sugar like candy, icecream, soda, and juice. Overindulgence in high carbohydrate foods usually results in a weight gain and restricting high carbohydrate foods with a low carb diet results in weight loss.
Staying on a diet of low carb foods that are low on the glycemic index is usually tastier than people would imagine. There are many low carb foods that can be ingested on a low carb diet that get their flavor from the fat content. Meats, nuts, oils, cheeses, and other high fat dairy products have a very low glycemic index and a very delicious fat content that will not cause weight gain on a low carb diet. The trick to losing weight on a low glycemic index diet is to make sure that carbohydrates are restricted. If a low carb dieter starts to eat a lot of high fat foods and then "cheats" on the diet and consumes carbohydrates, the weight will creep back on as soon as it is lost.
The way to be successful on a low carb diet is to eat every couple of hours so the body does not get ravenously hungry and it stays energized throughout the day. It is important to give the metabolism a boost in the morning by eating a low carb high protein breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up. If eating breakfast is postponed any longer the metabolism will stay in sleep mode and will work at a very slow pace for the rest of the day. A
low carb snack such as cheese or nuts should be eaten between breakfast and noon time so the metabolism and energy stays up and running. Another snack should be eaten between lunch and dinner.
All mealtimes should include a high protein meat and a side of vegetables so that the body is getting enough nutrients at each meal. At the beginning of a low carb diet very little carbohydrates should be consumed, but after a while whole grain carbohydrates that are high in fiber can be added back in to the diet.