The GI Diet: The battle of the Fat
You might have heard of the GI diet and wondered if it had
anything to do with the nation's military forces. Actually, this
meal plan is not connected with any branch of the armed
services. But it is definitely an important part of the war on
fat. By following the GI diet, you might be able to successfully
fight the battle of the bulge.
To begin with, it is important to define our terms. GI refers
to glycemic index. The GI measures just how quickly the body
breaks apart food in order to develop glucose, which has been
referred to as a major energy source for the body. The GI was
the brainchild of Dr. David Jenkins, a nutritional expert at the
University of Toronto.
If food ranks high on the GI scale, it means that the food
breaks down quickly. As a result, the body is not satiated and
goes looking elsewhere for food. However, food that is
low-glucose breaks down less quickly, which means that it makes
you feel satiated. The GI diet, therefore, is made up of food
that is low on the GI barometer. If you follow this food plan,
you will be eating lean meat and fish, whole grains, nuts,
legumes, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, you can partake
of dairy, as long as it is low-fat. However, you'll be passing
up cake, cookies, bread, and other foods that are comprised of
white flour and therefore high on the GI.
Those who support the GI diet maintain that the vast majority
of diets are unsuccessful because dieters do not feel satiated.
Dieters may also feel fatigued, causing them to binge. In
addition, many diets are complex, requiring individuals to do
complicated calculations in order to determine how much they
should eat.
Following the GI diet is as easy as following a traffic light.
Red means stop--in other words, don't eat that particular item.
Yellow means proceed to eat with caution--and moderation. Green
means go ahead and eat the item--it's good for you. There are
numerous advantages to the GI diet. To begin with, it provides
proper nutrition, which means that it is heart-healthy. Also,
you can eat as much as you want--if the foods have been given
the green light. Chances are you won't feel as if you're running
on empty with this diet, since it's designed to keep you feeling
satiated. It is believed that the diet can reduce the likelihood
that you will be afflicted with heart disease, diabetes, stroke,
colon cancer and prostate cancer. The GI diet is easy to
maintain and equally easy to follow.
You might believe that the GI diet is like Atkins; however,
there are notable differences. For example, the Atkins approach
stresses high protein and animal fat while curbing
carbohydrates. Atkins is based on the philosophy that, if the
body does not receive carbs, it will end up breaking down fat
instead. Over the long term, Atkins has been linked to kidney
damage, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
But the GI diet is based on carbs such as fruits, vegetables,
and whole grains and encourages dieters to eliminate saturated
fat, winning it the endorsement of a number of nutritionists.
Still, it should be noted that the GI diet is not perfect. If
you have spent a lifetime eating foods in the red category, you
might find the diet quite challenging. Also, during the initial
stage of the diet, the dieter's weight may rise until the body
makes an adjustment. The GI diet may not be as popular as other
diet programs, but it has a number of qualities to recommend it.
It is not complicated, so it may not lead to as much frustration
as other diets. The traffic light system might appeal to even
the most unsophisticated of dieters. It encourages the
consumption of good carbohydrates which are nutrient-rich. It is
also sure to eliminate an individual's reliance on junk food.
While the adjustment to the diet may be difficult at first, a
number of dieters maintain that it is well worth the effort. You
may actually be surprised to learn exactly how much weight you
can lose following the GI system.
About the author:
Arnel Ricafranca is the President and Founder of Fitness VIP. He
does numerous fitness talks about weight loss at a local
corporation. He is available for seminars, fitness training, and
online training. Visit his website to claim your fitness gift
($50 real value)
http://www.officialfitnessguide.com
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