The Glycemic Index Impact
The Glycemic Impact Diet is based on the Glycemic Index. Many such diets have been around for a number of years. The GI Diet by Rick Gallop in particular has been popular in Europe for a number of years. This diet delves even further into the glycemic index, by taking into account Glycemic Load.
This is a combination of the glycemic index of a food and the amount of carbohydrate the food has. A food such as a carrot is a common example: Carrots have a high GI - but a very low amount of carb per volume. The glycemic load of the carrot, in the end, is quite low - and is a great food to eat!
All meal plans on the Glycemic Impact Diet are made up from the following principles: Approximately 40% of calories are from unrefined, complex carbohydrates, including whole grains and whole grain breads and cereals, and whole pieces of fruit instead of juice. About 30% of calories are from lean protein (fish, chicken and the occasional beef and pork) with vegetarian options that include soy protein, tofu and textured vegetable protein. About 30% of calories are from healthy fats, including nuts, fatty fish, avocado and olive oil.
The Glycemic Impact Diet is an excellent diet. It takes the best from other diets, such as South Beach Diet, and the Zone and combines them with no-nonsense easy-to-follow advice.
This GI plan is great for people who prefer to not spend time cooking. Members who choose the Convenience option enjoy healthy frozen entrees for dinner, and other low glycemic index load foods that achieve balance without the bother of cooking every evening.
You can join the GI plan and still enjoy dining out. Simply choose baked, broiled or grilled lean meats, chicken or fish. Avoid fatty sauces in favor of tomato-based sauces and enjoy steamed vegetables and salads with olive oil and vinegar.
The Glycemic Impact Diet is a decreased carbohydrate diet based on the glycemic index of foods. The index measures and categorizes carbohydrates based on their glycemic or sugar levels. Simple carbohydrates such as white sugar and flour are at one end of the index and complex carbohydrates such as vegetables and whole grains are on the other. The basics of the diet are similar to the South Beach Diet, The Zone, Sugar Busters, and to a lesser degree the Atkins Diet.
The basic theory is that simple carbohydrates make you retain fat and raise your insulin levels. Learn more about the science. These diets are healthy, but they are highly restrictive, which creates a fundamental problem in the long-term. Most people fall off the wagon and end up gaining the weight back. So, Thinking you can cut out sugar and white flour from your diet forever is a fantasy for most people.
The glycemic index and its recommendations to replace simple carbohydrates with complex ones is a great idea, but probably best followed in moderation for your own mental ability to sustain a lifestyle change. The bottom line is that decreased caloric intake and increased daily exercise is the most sensible and sustainable strategy.
This plan is a unique balance of using low glycemic impact, unrefined, complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fat. Low glycemic impact carbohydrates are those that have limited impact on blood sugar levels and the amount of carbohydrates a food contains per serving.
Best Low GI Diets
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