The Benefits of Low GI Foods
Carbohydrate foods can be ranked by their impact on blood glucose levels. This is know as GI or the glycemic index. The higher the GI the more rapidly the food is absorbed and the quicker glucose levels rise.
On the other hand, low GI foods are broken down more gradually. This leads to blood glucose levels that are more stable.This can help avoid a seesaw effect with fluctuations in both mood and energy.
Due to the increased digestion time, low GI foods release their energy more slowly into the bloodstream. This prolongs the feeling of being full, which reduced the need for snacks.
There is some evidence that diets which emphasize low GI foods might help improve the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol. On the other hand, diets emphasizing high GI foods can lead to the pancreas overproducing insulin in response to fluctuating blood sugar levels. Over time, this may lead to diseases such as type II diabetes or it’s precursor, Syndrome X.
Should you restrict your diet to only low GI foods? Most diets don’t recommend this because active people should aim for a balance of low GI and high GI foods to make sure they have optimal energy resources.
High glycemic index foods include many carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, serial and baked goods. Low glycemic index foods tend to include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. However, within these broad categories there are differences. For example, bananas and potatoes would be classified as having a mid-range glycemic index.
There are other influences on GI level. For example, the methods used to process and cook food can drastically affect the GI. Usually, the more processed a food is, the higher the GI because less work needs to be done to digest the food.
Having a low GI food does not necessarily equate to ‘healthy’. For example, chocolate is a food with a low GI, but it is also energy rich and supplies few nutrients.
Nevertheless, GI can be a useful metric to help you choose appropriate foods for your diet.
About the Author: Uncover the secrets to losing weight quickly in my free weight loss report. I disclose all the secrets I’ve personally used to lose 9 lbs in 11 days. Go to http://www.top-weightloss.info right now before I change my mind and decide to no longer disclose my secrets!