My GI Diet

by Sree

I was keeping very active at school as I was learning and practicing dance and karate and was quite fit back then. When I completed my studies and started working in an office, where I was sitting in front of the computer for the whole day, I started gaining excess fat and I was hating it.

I followed a lot of diet programs including GM diet, Kellogg’s special K diet, Oats diet. However, I usually kept it up for 1 to 2 weeks and lost about 1 to 2 kgs then I would go back to my normal ways and I would put on 3 to 4 kgs again.

Then, I heard about GI. Glycemic index (GI) is a representation of ranking carbohydrates based on how they affect human blood glucose levels and insulin levels. GI values are classified as:

<= 55 : Low GI

>55 & <70 : Medium GI

>=70 : High GI

It is considered good to include food items with low GI in your diet to ensure good health and fitness. For a few GI diet compliant items, have a look at the list below:

1. Dairy products except for ice cream have Low GI

2. Nuts and Raisins have low GI

3. Oats and Barley are also good items to choose

4. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, green peas, onion, lettuce

5. Fruits like cherries, plums, grapes, peach, apples, oranges

6. Brown rice and wheat have low GI around 50

There is a long list for which one can refer to Glycemic Index Chart for complete details of GI values.

The best way to reduce weight is to choose items from lower GI itemsevery day. This will help reduce your blood glucose levels which in turn will make your body fit.

A few items with very high GI values (more than 90) that I try and avoid and used to love eating are scones, french baguette, any white bread, dates and high sugar cereals.

I came up with my ideal diet plan that includes foods like healthy breakfast cereals, low GI fruits, vegetables, dairy products, snacks, beans, chickpeas, whole grain bread instead of white bread and more. I am also paying more attention to sleeping properly, exercising regularly and drinking more water.

I have been following all these habits systematically. I have to say I have not felt this good in a long time.