The Bottom Line on Low Glycemic Foods

April 17, 2008

BroccoliFirst let discuss what low glycemic is before we decide if it will help you with your weight loss. Low glycemic foods are foods that when consumed do not dramatically elevate your blood sugar levels. Eating foods that are high glycemic will dramatically increase your blood sugar levels. Your body starts to promote the fat storage of these sugars when you eat high glycemic foods because your insulin level increases.

When women want to know or ask what foods to eat so they can be skinny they are essentially looking for foods that aren’t going to promote the storage of fat. To become low glycemic a food needs to have a mixture of nutrients, be lower in overall sugars and contain a fair amount of fiber with each serving.

For example a piece of white bread is a high glycemic food because it consists of processed and refined flour. A piece of whole-grain bread would be a lower glycemic food because it contains a good amount of fiber and other nutrients that would slow down the absorption of your food.

You should choose foods that are either a good source of fiber or contain some protein and fat so that it is a lower glycemic food choice. Though you also need to look at the big picture and look at what else you are eating for that meal since it is all digested at the same time.

When deciding on a meal you want a balance of a lean protein source, 1-2 servings of vegetable and/or fruit and 1 serving of a higher fiber whole-grain carbohydrate food choice. When eating balanced like this your total glycemic level will be lower, which means your blood sugar levels don’t rise as high and your body promotes fat usage for energy instead of fat storage.

When you eat a lean protein source at your feeding opportunities you are also releasing a hormone called glucagon that is the opposite of insulin and counteracts the effect of insulin by promoting the release of fat to be used as energy instead of storing it.

So my answer to women who want to know what foods to eat to be skinny I would say plenty of foods can as long as you eat them at the right time and in the correct portions. The best way to be skinny is to eat a lean protein source at every feeding opportunity and a vegetable that is a good source of fiber. Stay away from the high sugar soft drinks or fast foods items that are high in fat.

If being skinny is your goal or you can’t lose the weight to fit into that dress then you also have to make sure you incorporate exercise into your program. Nutrition alone may work, but your progress will be much slower. Incorporating the eating principles above along with an exercise program will have you looking stunning in that amazing dress fast!

For more about how Jayson uses low glycemic foods and carb cycling with his clients check out
CycleCarbs4FatLoss.com

Jayson Hunter RD, CSCS is the author of the Carb Rotation Diet. To discover the 5 absolute truths Every Serial Dieter Who Seeks Rapid-Weight loss MUST come to grips with visit CycleCarbs4FatLoss.com

Comments

3 Responses to “The Bottom Line on Low Glycemic Foods”

  1. glycemic food index on June 6th, 2008 9:33 am

    [...] [...]

  2. Jim Labadie on June 24th, 2008 5:21 pm

    Great article, Jayson. I think too many people are confused by all the Glycemic Index info. A balanced approach will serve people well. And the fat will probably melt right off if they stop DRINKING so much sugar.

    [Reply]

  3. MindieT on June 30th, 2008 3:40 pm

    Very informative article, Jayson! I was one of those people who was confused by the glycemic index. I had heard about it but never anything in depth. Your article helped me better understand what it was and how it worked. Thanks!

    [Reply]

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