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Rejuvenate Your Health – Low GI not Low Carb!
Many people follow a diet that is low in carbohydrates, believing that it will lead to losing weight quickly and effectively. However, the healthier option is to follow a low GI diet instead. This will not only help you to lose weight but will also help to keep your blood pressure and glucose levels lower, leading to a healthier and longer life.
GI stands for Glycemic Index. All foods have been labeled with a number based on a number of factors but mainly the way that the sugars are released into the bloodstream. Those foods that have a low GI release the sugars slowly and digest over time, leaving dieters feeling fuller for longer and avoiding the high energy spikes and slumps later in the day. Those with a high GI release sugars quickly, which means that the body releases more insulin to counteract it. This has been linked to high blood pressure, strokes and diabetes.
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The Difference Between Low GI and Low Carb Diets
Not all carbohydrates are bad for you. In fact, some carbohydrates are better than some fruits! For example, spaghetti has a relatively low GI while watermelon is high. This is because of the amount of natural sugars in watermelon, which are released quickly, while spaghetti releases the sugars slowly. By following a low carb diet, there are high chances that you are still eating foods that are unhealthy and cutting out foods that your body will benefit from.
The benefit of the GI ratings is that they will help you determine whether something is good for your body. They will help to avoid health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attacks and type II diabetes. The amount of carbohydrates in a food does not necessarily help with making these choices as it is not the carbohydrates but the sugars.
Avoiding the High GI Foods
There is a long list of foods online with the GI ratings next to them. This will help you make the best choices for meals. The majority of good foods will be vegetables, some fruits and meat. The trick is to find those with a GI rating of 50 or less and include them each day as much as possible. But that does not mean that you have to avoid all medium and high GI foods. Foods with a medium GI rating – up to 75 – can be eaten now and then. Those with a high GI rating should be avoided but this is not always possible – the last thing people want is to feel like they are on a diet. Instead, opt for something as a treat once a week; this will not lead to an instant heart attack!
Bio:
This guest post was written by Julie who works for Car Loan 4U, a car finance company that also provides car insurance online.
