The GI Diet: Part of the War on 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.

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