| These days, most everyone has heard of low carb | | | | and vegetables which are high in vitamins, minerals |
| diets such as the South Beach and Atkins diet but | | | | and enzymes as well as fiber. Many people associate |
| the GI or glycemic index diet is a fairly new name on | | | | low carb diets with a license to eat as much |
| the diet scene. While low carb diets restrict the | | | | saturated fat as you want, but that choice is up to |
| quantity of carbohydrates, the GI diet focuses on | | | | the individual so we really can't fault the diet for this |
| the quality of carbohydrates. It works by promoting | | | | misconception. A low GI diet is full of fruits, |
| the consumption of foods that are low on the | | | | vegetables, fiber and low in fat but emphasis the |
| glycemic index, foods which will have a gently effect | | | | good fats found in nuts. It encourages eating lean |
| on your blood sugar levels and keep you full longer. | | | | meats in moderation. |
| A typical low carb diet, has a restrictive phase in the | | | | While we all know that meats and fats are no carb |
| beginning where your carbohydrate intake is severely | | | | and green leafy vegetables are low carb, some may |
| limited. You can eat all the meat you want and fats | | | | not be aware of what foods have a low glycemic |
| are also unlimited, although the South Beach Diet | | | | index. Most vegetables (except potatoes, beets, |
| does encourage you to stick to low fat meats and | | | | pumpkin) have a very low GI. Some fruits that have |
| healthy fats. As the diet progresses, you can | | | | a low GI include citrus fruits, apples, plums and |
| gradually add in more carbohydrates, typically those | | | | peaches while most other fruits have a medium GI |
| with a low glycemic index are also those that are | | | | value. Oatmeal, most pasta and whole wheat bread |
| lower in carbs. | | | | also have a low gi. |
| Although a low GI diet might be new to you, it has | | | | So which diet is best? |
| actually been around since the 1970's and is used in | | | | Where many people in the health and nutrition |
| many European countries to help manage diabetes. | | | | profession consider a low carb diet to be unhealthy, |
| Recently, however, this way of eating has gotten a | | | | most everyone would consider a gi diet to be very |
| lot of attention as a healthy way to control weight. | | | | healthy. Studies have shown that eating lots of fruits |
| This diet focuses on carbohydrates - "good carbs" | | | | and vegetables can help to bolster your immune |
| have a low glycemic index and you should eat plenty | | | | system thus allowing you to fight disease and eating |
| of them (incidentally, these are also the foods that | | | | high fat meats may adversely affect your health and |
| we know to be good for us like fruits, vegetables | | | | help contribute to heart disease. That being said, it |
| and whole grains). "Bad carbs" have a high glycemic | | | | has also been shown that being overweight is a |
| index and should be eaten in moderation and mixed | | | | major health risk for many diseases so the best diet |
| with the low glycemic index carbs to lower the | | | | is probably one that works for you! Some folks might |
| overall GI of a meal. Since this diet focuses only on | | | | respond better to a low carb, others to a low gi. |
| carbs it is very easy for vegetarians to adopt this | | | | Either way, it makes sense to make healthy food |
| way of eating. | | | | choices, limit food intake and exercise for your good |
| In comparison, a low carb diet can be limiting in fruits | | | | health. |