Glycemic Index Diet
If you have been on a low-carb diet and have had success, the Glycemic or GI diet could be the perfect way for you to get off a “diet” and just enjoy a healthy way of eating. The Glycemic Index Diet is extremely similar to the low-carb diet. However, the GI diet stresses the types of carbs rather than the quantity of carbs. The GI diet also stresses the importance of timing in relation to when you eat your carbs and proteins. The GI diet plan is all about controlling blood sugar, a key to successful weight loss and maintenance.

If you are not familiar with the Glycemic index and how it works, here is a simple outline. Carbohydrate foods are assigned a number ranging from 0 to 100. The number indicates the rate at which the food raises blood glucose levels during its absorption. The higher the value the quicker the sugar is absorbed. A food is considered a high glycemic food if it has a value of 70 or above. Any food with a value of 55 or below is considered low glycemic.

The problem with this diet is that it is not as easy as it seems. Many nutritious foods are high glycemic and therefore must be combined with low glycemic foods to get a balance. It can become complicated, however there are reference guides available that will help you chart your food selections and combine your foods correctly.

The benefits of eating according to the Glycemic index are great. One of the biggest perks of the diet is that you can still enjoy some of your favorite foods, including desserts (in moderation of course), limit the storage of fat and still lose weight. This is essentially what everyone wants to do on a diet. Everyone wants the best of both worlds; eat what you like and still lose weight. With the GI diet plan this is what you are able to do, as long as you remain in balance. Eating according to the GI diet also increases energy, controls blood sugar, cravings and bloating, and reduces risk of diabetes and many other diseases.