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