The low GI (glycemic index) diet plan stresses eating foods that register a low number on the glycemic index scale.
The basis of this diet plan is that foods which have a low glycemic index number lead to a stable blood sugar and less weight gain. Other diet plans also incorporate the glycemic index into their food choices for weight loss.
The glycemic index pertains to blood sugar levels. Diabetics have trouble controlling their blood sugar, so eating the right foods is important to their health. This index has been transferred into the mainstream to create a diet plan that anyone can use.
Foods that cause the blood sugar to spike increase our hunger. For instance, eating a candy bar will give you a big burst of energy for about half an hour. After that, you will feel tired and sluggish. To keep going, you’ll eat more sugar. Then, the vicious cycle starts over again.
On the other hand, a stable blood sugar level keeps us energized throughout the day, and we don’t feel hungry. The diet leads to weight loss because of the food choices that are made.
When the glycemic index number is fifty or below, the food is considered to have a “low GI” score. Anything over seventy is considered high, and between fifty and seventy is moderate.
The glycemic index is not an exact science. According to the equation used to compute the number, there are candies that have a lower glycemic index than healthier foods like carrots. Of course you can’t eat chocolate and processed sugar all day and expect to lose weight. So, there is definitely a flaw in the plan.
Also, the glycemic index number is computed for foods eaten just by themselves. Carrots taste better with ranch dressing. Potatoes go with steak and onions. Foods that are eaten together change the glycemic index, but whether it is for the good or the bad, no one knows for sure.
