GI Diet

Like all diets, the GI diet is made up of a select group of foods that will help you lose weight. The diet takes advantage of the Glycemic Index (GI), the rate at which food is converted to energy. While this property of food has been known about by nutritionist and dietician for a long period of time, it has only recently been employed for weight loss.

What is the GI Diet?

In order to fully understand this diet, we must look at its original applications. The GI diet was developed to ease the symptoms of diabetics. Those with diabetes lack insulin, the enzyme that regulates blood sugar levels. Researchers noticed that when diabetics ate high glycemic foods, their blood sugar levels surged and soon plummeted. Although most people take the ability to eat whatever they like for granted, this sudden rise and fall of blood sugar levels could be fatal to a diabetic.

However, the scientists also noticed that when diabetics ate low glycemic foods with the same amount of calories, their blood sugar levels rose and fell more gradually, requiring less insulin to be administered.  Although most people aren’t diabetic, they can still take advantage of the glycemic index for weight loss.

GI Diet Foods for Low Glycemic Index

The GI diet works by making you feel full for a longer period of time, because, essentially, you still are full. If you have a diet rich in low GI foods, your body will absorb energy at a slower rate and take longer to digest. Low GI foods also require more energy to digest, meaning that sometimes you’ll lose weight simply by eating. That sounds like a great diet!

GI Diet Benefits

Another advantage of the glycemic index diet is that it is completely customizable. Instead of adhering to a set meal plan, you can simply cook what you like as long as it contains low glycemic index foods. This allows for greater flexibility and allows you to be creative. Also, you’re kids might not even know they are on a diet should you put the whole family on it!