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Low GI Diet – Tips for Eating Out

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n

Low GI Diet - Tips for Eating OutLow Glycemic On the GO – Everybody loves eating out, and you really wouldn’t want to say “No” to every social occasion, because you’re on a “diet”, but it seems almost impossible to make good low gi food choices when faced with so many options.

Remembering that a low gi diet is a lifestyle choice, rather than a “quick fix”, here are useful suggestions for following a low gi diet lifestyle when you’re eating out.

Low GI Tips For Eating Out:

•    Don’t go when you’re starving – perhaps even eat a small low gi snack before you go out
•    Avoid buffets and “all you can eat” restaurants
•    Limit alcoholic drinks
•    Order foods that have been prepared in a healthy way – steamed, stir fried, lightly roasted
•    If portions are large, split yours with someone else or order an entrée size
•    Be willing to ask for meal substitutions or adjustments – restaurants are becoming more capable of adapting to people’s varied dietary needs, including that of a low gi diet
•    Keep low-glycemic foods in mind and order the best choice available

The following are some low gi diet tips for specific types of restaurants:

Chinese
•    Clear broth soups like hot and sour, egg drop, or wonton are good choices
•    Order traditional dishes that feature smaller portions of lean proteins (meat, chicken, seafood, tofu) stir-fried with lots of assorted vegetables and tasty sauces
•    Avoid overly sweet sauces like sweet & sour, lemon, or plum. Try black bean, oyster or Szechuan instead
•    Avoid fried foods (like spring rolls, dim sims, etc) Order brown rice, if available

Thai
•    Order dishes that combine proteins (meat or tofu) with vegetables
•    Choose curry, chili, basil, lime, and fish sauces
•    Opt for long-grain rice over white rice
•    Try pad thai and other stir-fried noodle dishes, ask for less oil to be used in the preparation

Greek
•    Choose roasted lamb or chicken dishes prepared with lemon and yoghurt
•    Try baked fish and chicken dishes that are healthily prepared
•    Make sure to order Greek salads
•    Avoid the filo-dough, large amounts of feta cheese, and excessive amounts of olive oil

Indian
•    Order healthily prepared legumes, chicken, fish, and vegetables
•    Try the tomato-based sauces and tandoori dishes
•    Choose basmati rice (it’s low gi!) as a side, or in biryanis, and chapati bread
•    Avoid sauces made with large amounts of butter or coconut milk

Italian
•    Choose tomato or marsala sauces
•    Order an entrée sized portion of pasta with a large serving of salad
•    If ordering pizza, choose thin-crust with low-fat cheese and loaded with vegetables
•    Avoid the white bread (high gi!) and cheesy, creamy sauces

Japanese
•    Try miso soup and soy beans (edamame) for starters
•    Choose sushi, sashimi, yakitori, teriyaki, sukiyaki, and grilled dishes
•    Order udon or soba noodles
•    Limit the rice and avoid tempura

French
•    Choose tomato/wine sauces, broth-based soups
•    Look for Mediterranean-style dishes
•    Order broiled, steamed, or poached foods
•    Be sure to order a salad or large serves of vegetables
•    Avoid the bread and high-fat sauces

Mexican
•    Order grilled seafood and chicken dishes: tacos, burritos, fajitas
•    Ask for low-fat cheese, whole-wheat tortillas, and light sour cream
•    Avoid the cheese and refried beans
•    Limit guacamole

See! It’s easier than you think to eat out, eat well and be fully satisfied, when following the lifestyle of a low gi diet.

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Filed Under: Low GI Diet Tagged With: diet, Diet Tips, gi diet, Low Gi, Low GI Diet, low gi diet tips, Low Gi Diets, Low Gi Food, Low GI Foods, Low Glycemic, Low Glycemic Diet, Low Glycemic Index, Low Glycemic Index Diet, Tips for eating out

Low GI Diet Tips #1

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n

diet02

Low GI Diet Tips #1

In order to promote a healthy body from the inside and out, these low glycemic tips and strategies can help you follow the path of a low gi diet lifestyle. They’ll help to increase your intake of healthy carbohydrates, manage your weight and reduce your likelihood of falling prey to ill health.

Eat more fruit and vegetables – 7 serves a day!

Research shows time and time again that a low gi diet, high in fruits and vegetables, will significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, many cancers and other degenerative diseases – as well as weight loss. Be sure to eat a wide variety of differently coloured fruits and vegetables, so that you’re getting a broad spectrum of nutrients and antioxidants to promote good health. Remember though, to eat the whole fruit, not just the juice! Also, if you have a small amount of protein, like nuts, seeds, yoghurt, etc at the same time as having a piece of fruit, you’ll feel full longer, and reduce the overall glycemic index load of your snack.

Eat more nuts!

Because nuts and seeds are largely protein, they’re also a very low glycemic diet snack. They’re an excellent source of essential fatty acids (EFA’s), which are “essential” for our overall health – everything from diabetes to heart disease, brain function, skin health, hormonal issues … and the list goes on. EFA’s can’t be manufactured by our bodies, so they need to come from our diet. Sadly, many people trying to lose weight have avoided eating nuts because of their high fat content and, in so doing, have missed out on important nutrients that can actually support healthy weight maintenance.

A few nuts daily is all you need. Choose a wide variety of favourites and make sure they’re unroasted, as high temperatures will destroy the essential fatty acids. Add them to salads, breakfasts, enjoy them with fruit, or as a simple snack.

Eat more beans!

Many of us in western countries, don’t eat as many beans and pulses in our diet as our Eastern counterparts. Beans, peas and lentils are low glycemic, nutrient dense, high in protein, and rich in nutrients. Being low gi, add them to soups, stews and salads, or puree them into tasty dips to have with fresh vegetables as a tasty snack.

Eat whole grains instead!

Forget about the super soft, white, fluffy, high glycemic index bread on supermarket shelves. Look for the heavier whole grain varieties, with visible grain and seeds and a low gi. Instead of mashed potatoes, choose brown or basmati rice, and experiment with quinoa, freekah, wild rice – or other ancient grains. There are so many nutrient rich foods that nature provides, that it seems a shame to limit our diets to only a handful of foods to which we’ve become accustomed. The more we look for better choices, the more we’ll find – and enjoy! After all, a low glycemic diet is meant to be easy!

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Filed Under: Low GI Diet Tagged With: Diet Tips, gi diet, glycemic, Low Gi, Low GI Diet, Low Gi Diets, Low GI Foods, low gi snacks, Low Glycemic, Low Glycemic Diet, Low Glycemic Index Diet

Chilli Bean and Tomato Casserole

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n Leave a Comment

Chilli Bean and Tomato CasseroleThere’s nothing more inviting on a cold winter’s night than a good low gi chilli casserole – rich in flavours and incredibly satisfying. The best thing … is it’s easy to prepare with just a few handy staples from the pantry – a must for any low glycemic diet!.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 1o minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes

2 cans.red kidney beans
1 can 4 bean mix
2 cans peeled tomatoes
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large diced onion
2 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 large capsicum
2 Massel pure vegetable stock cubes to makes 1 litre of stock
¼ tsp dried chilli (or to taste)
1 tsp. cumin
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (or less)
1/2 apple
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley

Drain and rinse the beans.
Heat the oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic and capsicum for 5–7 minutes.
Add the vegetable stock, beans, apple, herbs and spices. Cover and simmer for approximately 45 minutes or until the beans are tender and the liquid thickens slightly.

Serve topped with a dollop of natural yoghurt and fresh parsley. Accompany with brown or wild rice  and fresh salad. Low GI Heaven – add it to your low GI recipe collection! Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Low GI Recipes Tagged With: chilli bean and tomato casserole, Low Gi, Low GI Diet, Low GI Foods, Low GI Meals, Low GI Recipes, Low Glycemic Diet

Low Glycemic Diet – Why?

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n Leave a Comment

Why Do I Need a Low Glycemic Diet?

Low Glycemic Diet vs High Glycemic Diet – Did you know:

  • Australia has recently taken over from the USA as the “fattest” nation on earth, with 2 out of every 3 people either overweight or obese.
  • We have over 3 million people with diabetes, plus half that number again who don’t even know it.
  • The rate of type 2 diabetes in children is increasing every year – and historically this disease didn’t affect people until over 40.
  • Among adults, the leading cause of death is heart related diseases, with 50% of heart attacks occurring before the age of 60 … with the first symptom being sudden death.
  • One in two women over 60 have osteoporosis?
  • Depression is believed to be the next huge epidemic to affect the western world.
  • Three out of every four people will have at least one degenerative disease by age 65?

The frightening thing about these statistics is that, despite the greatest advancements in medicine, the effects of ill health are accelerating at alarming rates. So, why is this happening?

These diseases are thought to be largely lifestyle-related … and the food that we eat is a big factor … with changes that have occurred in our eating from a low GI diet to a high GI diet.

Let’s think back to our great, great grandparents time. Food was prepared in the home, largely straight from the tree to the table or the field to the plate. Carbohydrates arrived as in-season fruits & vegetables, beans and wholegrain cereals. Our ancestors ate low gi foods naturally. They didn’t have the white, bleached, fluffy flour (with the husk and nutritious “germ”removed) that made up most of the breads, cakes, pastries, cereals and pasta we eat today. Instant porridge, instant rice, and 5-minute noodles were non-existent – low gi foods were plentiful! “Glycemic” wasn’t a word that was readily used!

It was a time when food was nutrient rich and it didn’t come from supermarkets. It wasn’t overly processed or pre-packaged, and colourings, flavourings, preservatives, additives and E-numbers were unheard of! (It didn’t need the “Low Glycemic” symbol on the packaging!) In fact, the bulk of the “processing” of the food happened after it was eaten … within the body itself! It took the body a long time to process the complex carbohydrates, fibre and healthy built-in nutrients and oils the food inherently contained. This provided the body with a gradual release of sugars into the bloodstream, leaving people feeling full and satisfied until their next meal. This was eating the way nature intended it, and sadly, very few of us have forgotten to eat that way, yet a low Glycemic  diet is the most natural way of eating!

Nowadays, our modern (and very common) high glycemic diet plays havoc within our bodies – our heavily processed, nutrient depleted foods are digested too quickly causing our blood sugar levels to spike rapidly. To combat this spike in blood sugar, our bodies quickly respond by releasing large amounts of insulin, to lower the high levels of blood sugar. Unfortunately, it does its job too well and rather than lowering the blood sugar to a more desired level, it causes the levels to plummet. This sets up a roller-coaster of extreme high and low levels of blood sugar which, over time,  can send our bodies into a state of insulin resistance. This means our bodies aren’t as sensitive to the insulin as they once were … and so begins the path of weight gain and ill health.

That’s where understanding the Glycemic Index and a low glycemic index diet lifestlye can help us! As we begin to know which foods (and combinations of foods) can keep our blood sugar and insulin levels stable, we can begin to keep our health in check. Decide now to go low gi!

Read more about What Is the Glycemic Index and the Glycemic Index List of Foods.

Download a comprehensive Low Glycemic Food List at the top right of our HOME PAGE

Filed Under: What is Glycemic Index? Tagged With: blood sugar, diet, Glycemic diet, Glycemic Index, insulin, Low Gi, Low GI Diet, Low Glycemic, Low Glycemic Diet

What is the Glycemic Index?

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n Leave a Comment

What is the Glycemic Index?

You may have heard about the Glycemic Index …

but what does it really mean? … and how important is it for your health? … What is a low glycemic diet?
Very simply, the Glycemic Index is a scientific ranking of how the foods we eat affect our blood sugar levels in the 2 or 3 hours after eating. This index is measured against pure glucose, which has a value of 100 on the index.  The index ranges from 0 to 100 with:

0-55  =  Low-GI              56-69  =  Moderate-GI         70-100  =  High-GI

High GI 70-100   Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion, release blood sugar rapidly into the bloodstream, and cause marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Medium GI 56-69   Carbohydrates that break down moderately during digestion and release blood sugar moderately into the bloodstream.
Low GI 0-55   Carbohydrates that break down slowly during digestion, release blood sugar gradually into the bloodstream, and keep blood sugar levels steady … and provide you with proven benefits for your health!

Low GI Meals leave you feeling fuller longer, ease food cravings and provide you with greater and more sustained energy levels. If you’re looking to either lose weight, or maintain your existing weight, a low GI diet lifestyle is the perfect option. Also, if you find yourself lethargic, losing concentration, or experiencing mood swings an hour or so after eating, a change to low GI meals may show immediate benefits.

In term of long terms health, Low GI Diets are important to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or heart disease. However, if you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes, low GI diets have been shown to improve  both lipid and glucose levels, maintain more stable insulin levels and reduce insulin resistance, which is important in reducing the risk of long term diabetes-related complications.

More and more health benefits associated with choosing a low glycemic index diet are constantly being realised, but the ones we’ve listed are certainly already impressive …

  • Control and stabilise your blood sugar levels
  • Raise your HDL (“good”) cholesterol
  • Lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels
  • Assist you with weight loss
  • Manage symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin
  • Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Lower your risk of heart disease
  • Improve your energy levels and general wellbeing

So, to get started, just do your best to avoid high Glycemic foods as much as possible … and simply choose medium or low GI foods wherever you can! It becomes very easy once your understand the basics, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you’ll be forever consulting charts and adding up numbers to succeed. Begin simply, by continuing to learn a little about the glycemic index and you’ll be on your way to a satisfying and tasty low glycemic diet lifestyle.

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Filed Under: What is Glycemic Index? Tagged With: Blood Sugar Levels, diet, Glycemic Index, Glycemic Index Diet, Insulin Levels, Low Gi, Low Gi Diets, Low GI Foods, Low GI Meals, Low Glycemic, Low Glycemic Diet, Low Glycemic Index, Low Glycemic Index Diet

Glycemic Index List of Foods

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n

Glycemic Index List of Foods

A low glycemic index diet is one of the best ways to look after your health, and lose excess weight effectively and naturally. The weight reduced through a low GI diet approach is safe, and you won’t find yourself needing to starve on just carrots and lettuce! The glycemic index ranks the foods from 0–100 according to the speed at which they effect your blood sugar levels in the 2 or 3 hours after eating. In the glycemic index list of foods, the foods with a glycemic index value below 55 are low GI foods, foods ranking 55–70 are moderate GI foods, and foods with a GI value 70–100 are high GI foods.

  • High GI (70-100) Carbohydrates which break down quickly during digestion, releasing blood sugar rapidly into the bloodstream – causing marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
  • Medium GI (56-69) Carbohydrates which break down moderately during digestion, releasing blood sugar moderately into the bloodstream.
  • Low GI (0-55) Carbohydrates which break down slowly during digestion, releasing blood sugar gradually into the bloodstream – keeping blood sugar levels steady … and so provide you with the best health benefits!

Low GI foods are often the ones with “good” carbohydrates, low fat, high dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. These foods help in keeping the blood sugar levels stable, are beneficial for sports persons, diabetics, people with coronary heart disease, those wanting to lose weight … and really just about everyone!

But … one word of warning … watch out for companies branding their products with “Low GI” labels. Just because a food is low GI, doesn’t necessarily make it a good food! Some foods may have a low GI, but may be high in “bad” fats, or are high in additives, flavourings, colourings, or preservatives. Always check the full ingredients list! … And also ensure that a large proportion of the foods that you eat are as minimally processed as possible!

When referring to any GI Food List, please remember that the numbers aren’t absolute and should serve as a guide only. The impact any particular food will have on your blood sugar levels on any given day will depend on many other factors such as ripeness, cooking time, product brand, fibre and fat content, time of day, blood insulin levels, and recent activity. Use the Glycemic Index as just one of the many tools you have available to improve your control.

Also check out Low GI Diet Tips to help make a low GI diet lifestyle easier to follow!

(CLICK HERE to return to HOME PAGE)

Glycemic Index List of Foods

(Find a more comprehensive & Downloadable Food List, at the top right of this page)

 

Glycemic Index List of Foods

Low GI Food List – Glycemic Index Food List

The glycemic index ratings of individual foods will vary according to ripeness, variety, product brand, specific ingredients used, cooking times, and GI testing procedures. This will explain the variation you may see amongst different GI Food Lists.

For a more comprehensive 3 page list – Download the full GLYCEMIC INDEX FOOD LIST of 180+ Low GI Foods – TOP RIGHT of the HOME PAGE – Just enter your name and email for instant access. 

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Filed Under: What is Glycemic Index? Tagged With: glycemic, Glycemic Index, Glycemic Index Diet, Glycemic Index Foods, Glycemic Index Foods List, Glycemic Index List, Glycemic Index List Of Foods, Low Gi, Low GI Diet, low gi food list, Low GI Foods, Low Glycemic Foods, Low Glycemic Foods List, Low Glycemic Index Diet, Low Glycemic Index Foods

Low GI Breakfast

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n Leave a Comment

low gi breakfast cerealA Low GI Breakfast is probably the most important of all your low gi meals during the day. If you’re skipping breakfast in the misguided belief that it will help shed some excess weight, you’re sure to be disappointed!

Studies have shown that you’re likely to later crave, and consequently consume, more high glycemic foods thoughout the day which will propel that glycemic rollercoaster, and cause you to actually gain weight! That certainly won’t help you with your low glycemic diet or weightloss goals!

You’ve got less chance of losing weight by skipping meals than by having a great low GI breakfast to start to the day. You’ll feel better too! Just remember – missing breakfast isn’t good news for weight loss, and even worse news for maintaining optimal health.

So start your day with a healthy low glycemic breakfast to boost your metabolism to give you all the energy you need to get through the morning, and without leaving you feeling hungry again an hour later.

Try some of these simple Low GI Breakfast Ideas for a great start – Quick, Simple & No Recipe Needed!
•    Unsweetened, natural yoghurt mixed with fresh fruit and muesli.
•    Yoghurt, fruit and nut smoothies
•    Rolled oat porridge cooked with almond, oat, or rice milk, mixed with dried fruit & nuts
•    Rye toast with a poached egg, and fresh fruit
•    Whole-wheat pita stuffed with scrambled egg, and fresh fruit
•    All-bran muffin with nut butter spread, and fresh fruit
•    Natural yoghurt with frozen berries, topped with sunflower seeds & nuts
•    Wholegrain toast with salmon & avocado, and fresh fruit
•    Buckwheat pancakes topped with lightly stewed fruit
•    Baked beans on rye toast
•    Pumpernickel toast topped with melted low-fat cheese, and fresh fruit
•    Rye toast topped with light cream cheese, and fruit
•    Vegetable omelet, whole-grain toast, and fruit
•    Bircher muesli with yoghurt, fresh fruit, and nuts
•    Banana and a few nuts to eat on-the-go!

Foods to Avoid:
•    Processed, high GI breakfast cereals (that’s most of them!)
•    White and wholemeal breads, croissants, crumpets and pancakes
•    Sugar laden jams, marmalades and spreads
•    Full fat dairy products, such as milk, yoghurts and cheeses
•    Fat laden meats, such as bacon and sausages
•    Store bought, sweetened, processed fruit juices
•    Sugar in tea, coffee, or on cereals

Start your day with lasting energy! You’ll feel great, think more clearly and feel full longer. If you’re just learning about or starting out with a low gi way of life, put every effort into at least ensuring every day starts out with a delicious low gi breakfast as part of your new low glycemic diet.

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Filed Under: Low GI Meals Tagged With: diet, High Glycemic Foods, Low Gi, low gi breakfast, Low GI Diet, Low GI Foods, Low GI Meals, Low GI Recipes, Low Glycemic, low glycemic breakfast, Low Glycemic Diet

Low GI Lunch

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n Leave a Comment

meals03Of all your low gi meals, lunchtime sets the scene for your energy levels for the remainder of the day – a very important part of any low glycemic diet. Avoid mid afternoon sluggishness by investing a few extra minutes into a well- planned, wholesome, low glycemic lunch to give you all the energy you need to get you through the day.

Plan ahead … When preparing dinner the night before, cut up a few extra vegetables and set them aside for the next day’s lunch. Invest in a few, well-sealed food containers for any evening meal leftovers, which you can enjoy for lunch over the next couple of days. Simple steps like these will definitely help you achieve your healthy low glycemic diet and weightloss goals

Another investment is a small, good quality thermos. If you’ve made a big batch of soup for dinner the previous night, heat it up in the morning, pop it in your thermos, and there’s nothing nicer (or quicker) on a cold winter’s day.

Just a little planning takes the worry out of preparing lunches in the mornings when time is often already tight. It’s also much cheaper and healthier than buying your lunch each day.

Try these great Low GI Diet Lunchtime suggestions:
•    Homemade soups-vegetable, lentil, split pea, minestrone, or barley, with rye toast or a wholegrain roll.
•    Open sandwiches made with lean meats and fresh vegetables on whole-grain wheat, rye, pumpernickel, or pita bread
•    Veggie burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pesto on a wholegrain bun
•    Mixed green salad with grilled chicken and vinaigrette dressing
•    Vegetable quiche, sliced tomatoes and fruit
•    Wholegrain muffin with nut butter and natural yoghurt with fruit
•    Tuna and salad filled wholemeal pita pockets and fresh fruit
•    Boiled egg, mixed vegetable sticks with hommous
•    Baked beans with wholegrain toast and avocado
•    Sushi
•    Falafel in pita bread with salad vegetables
•    Salads made with beans and nuts
•    Warm chicken salad with lots of salad vegetables

Foods to Avoid:
•    White bread or wholemeal sandwiches and rolls
•    Fat laden, pies, pasties, sausage rolls
•    Hot chips
•    Sugary snacks
•    Sugar laden pastries, buns, donuts, cakes
•    Mayonnaise and high-fat dressings
•    Full-fat yoghurts and desserts

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Filed Under: Low GI Meals Tagged With: diet, Low Gi, Low GI Diet, Low GI Foods, low gi lunch, Low GI Meals, Low GI Recipes, Low Glycemic, Low Glycemic Diet, weightloss

Low GI Dinner

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n Leave a Comment

low gi dinner

Low GI Dinners – Enjoy the many low-glycemic diet possibilities available! Invest in a great low GI cookbook with lots of mouthwatering pictures, or get inspired with a few of the suggestions we’ve listed.

Consider making double batches when cooking and then freeze half for an easy low gi meal another night. Also, rather than eating up all the leftovers, keep some aside for lunches.

Keep in mind portion, sizes too. Is it really necessary to go back for seconds? Or thirds? If you feel comfortably full, stop there! Or have some more vegetables or fresh fruit to finish off instead.

If you can, do your best not to eat your evening meal too late at night. Studies have shown that eating late in the evening can cause a restless night’s sleep. That means no late night “snacks” either!

Try some of these Easy Low GI Diet Dinner Ideas:
•    Chicken/tofu stir fry with vegetables & brown rice
•    Vegetable frittata and salad
•    Salmon steak, quinoa and vegetables
•    Grilled steak & salad or steamed vegetables
•    Roasted vegetable lasagna and salad
•    Chick pea/lentil & vegetable curry with brown rice
•    Tuna & vegetable casserole with salad
•    Warm chicken/turkey/lean beef salad
•    Falafel with fresh salad vegetables in a wholemeal pita bread
•    Chilli bean or lentil casserole with brown rice and salad
•    Chicken/tofu stir fry with vegetables & brown rice

Foods to Avoid:
•    Chips, mashed or baked potatoes
•    Refined breads and pizza bases
•    Ready made pre-packaged meals
•    Takeaway meals
•    Fatty meats, sausages and meat patties
•    Instant or white rice (other than basmati)

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Filed Under: Low GI Meals Tagged With: Low Gi, Low GI Diet, low gi dinner, Low Gi Food, Low GI Foods, Low GI Meals, Low GI Recipes, Low Glycemic, Low Glycemic Diet, Low Glycemic Index Diet

Low GI Foods – Fats & Oils

March 16, 2009 By 4dm1n Leave a Comment

Low Gi Foods - Fats and OilsIt was once believed that all fats & oils in food were bad, and needed to be avoided in order for us to lose weight and retain optimal health. How wrong we were!

The key, is knowing how to tell the difference between “good” fats and “bad” fats, and then apply this knowledge to the concept of a low GI diet.  By including good essential fatty acids with our meals, we tend to slow the rate at which a meal is digested or absorbed into the bloodstream, and in so doing, lower the GI of the overall meal.

Good Fats

It’s now well known that “good fats” or essential fatty acids (EFA’s), play a very important role as part of a healthy diet and are important for the functioning of all cells in our body. Essential fatty acids support

  • Heart health
  • Immune function
  • Cognitive function
  • Hormone function
  • Joint health
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Weight loss
  • Mood
  • Skin & hair

The “good” or beneficial fats are the unsaturated fats, either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, which come from plant sources such as nuts, seeds, and some fruits such as olives and avocadoes.  Medium chain fatty acids, which are most prolific in coconut oil and coconut products, are also not to be overlooked. They’re metabolised differently, and are digested and absorbed quickly. They’ve been attributed with many health giving properties, so be sure to include good quality coconut oil in your diet.

Bad Fats

The “bad” fats, on the other hand, are mainly the saturated fats derived from animal sources. “Transfats” or “hydrogenated” oils and fats are another category of fats to be totally avoided.  Hydrogenation is a way of processing oils so that they can be used in the production of processed foods to extend their shelf life.  Hydrogenated fats are damaging, as our bodies are incapable of breaking them down. Read the labels of all packaged foods, and if you see the words “transfats” or “hydrogenated” leave them on the supermarket shelf! They have no place in a low glycemic diet!

What to Include in Your Low GI Diet

Enjoy the vast array of delicious oils available to you – they’re really all very different in taste, and are wonderful additions to your salads or meals. Experiment and you’ll find your favourites. The most important thing, however, is to choose oils which are fresh, cold pressed, and extra virgin where available. The taste difference is very noticeable – as is the nutritional content! And remember to keep them in the fridge, too!

Cooking Oils

  • Olive oil
  • Coconut oil

Both are very stable at high temperatures, so great choices for cooking. Have both on hand to enjoy the benefits of each.

Salad Oils – so many to choose from!

  • Olive oil
  • Walnut oil
  • Macadamia Oil
  • Sesame oil
  • Pistachio oil
  • Flax seed oil
  • Coconut oil

Nuts and Seeds

These are a nutritious addition to any low GI diet. They’re high in protein and EFA’s so include them in snacks, salads, or meals. Enjoy a small handful daily. If you haven’t tried any of the following lately, enjoy some soon! Just remember to rotate your choices to benefit from the varied nutrient and EFA combinations in each.

  • Almonds
  • Walnuts
  • Macadamias
  • Hazelnuts
  • Brazil nuts
  • Cashews
  • Pecans
  • Coconut
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Pine nuts
  • Flaxseeds / linseeds

Avocados

In my book they rate a special mention! They’re a powerhouse of nutrition – so use them on your wholegrain breads as a spread instead of butter or margarine!

So stock up the pantry on healthy oils today! Avoid the mass produced supermarket varieties if you can – choose fresh, local, cold pressed – and taste the difference. They’ll help you appreciate the lifestyle of a low GI diet.

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Filed Under: Low GI Foods Tagged With: Essential Fatty Acids, Fats and oils, Fats Oils, Good Fats And Bad Fats, Healthy Diet, Hydrogenated Fats, Hydrogenated Oils, Hydrogenation, Joint Health, Low Gi, Low GI Diet, Low GI Foods, Low Glycemic Diet, Low Glycemic Index, medium chian fatty acids, Oils And Fats, Saturated Fats, Supermarket Shelf, Unsaturated Fats

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Low GI Diet 12-Week Action Plan

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The New Glucose Revolution

The New Glucose Revolution

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