The Glycemic Index and Dieting

nutrition field emerges that truly demands attention. Over a decade ago, the USDA’s “Food Pyramid” was one such concept because it helped eaters discover how plenty of gaps existed in their typical every day diet. Now, as the Food Pyramid begins to take a new shape, & as the nutrition field works to establishes itself as the most important branch of health care in the 21st century, an invention called the Glycemic Index is taking center stage.

The Glycemic Index indicates how “high” or “low” blood sugar levels change in response to carbohydrate intake. A “high” Glycemic Index indicates carbohydrates with a swift breakdown, whereas a “low” Glycemic Index indicates carbohydrates with slow, gradual breakdown. Both terms are of equal importance to diabetics, because there's times with high Glycemic Index foods are necessary, & times where low Glycemic Index foods are necessary.

The Glycemic Index (GI) is not new; it's been around for over 2 decades. Yet until recently, its exposure beyond the world of diabetes has been limited [i].

People striving to lose weight often face a nemesis much tougher than establishing an exercise regimen or introducing healthier foods in to their diet. The problem is one of energy. Plenty of dieters are surprised – & disturbed – to learn that their diet program is causing them to lose over inches & pounds: they are losing energy.

Indeed, the Glycemic Index itself is not new, but its application far beyond the borders of a diabetic dialogue is notable; for dieters.

This is often expressed as a complaint, as in “I’m feeling weak”, or even “I can’t stay awake”. Plenty of dieters & those advising them have erroneously chalked this up to a matter of attitude, or will power, or some non-biological cause.

The plain truth is that plenty of dieters have been oblivious to the Glycemic Index, & hence, to the fact that plenty of of the diet foods they have eaten – or are eating right now – score high Glycemic Index levels. As such, these foods are providing a speedy boost to blood sugar levels, & then setting up the dieter for the inevitable fall. This is because high GI foods typically increase blood sugar values, which in turn trigger the hormone insulin to clear sugar from the blood. Since blood sugar (a.k.a. glucose) largely dictates the body’s energy levels, it stands to reason that this process manifests as an initial boost in energy, & then as a depletion of energy. This rise & fall of blood sugar – & energy – is often described by dieters using a “roller-coaster” analogy: one minute they feel confident & strong, & the next, they are about to pass out & require some kind of stimulant in order to make it through the day.

Regrettably for plenty of dieters, that stimulant is usually more high Glycemic Index foods, such as sugary snacks or soft drinks. It is easy to see how this experience can lead an individual to stop dieting. After all, before the diet, the individual was merely gaining weight. On the diet, the individual is gaining weight & is exhausted for most of the day. It is better to quit the diet.

The above scenario only takes place, however, when a dieter unintentionally eats high Glycemic Index foods. Research has shown that low Glycemic Index foods, which raise blood sugar levels much more gradually than high Glycemic Index foods, are helpful for dieters [ii]. This is because a dieter will experience less of a “roller-coaster” ride while on the diet, & furthermore, will be less inclined to snack because energy in the form of blood glucose is being released slowly & gradually. Low Glycemic Index foods are much more efficient sources of energy than high Glycemic Index foods, because the body needs less insulin to convert food in to energy [iii].

Despite the growing awareness that low Glycemic Index foods are beneficial, the world of diet foods has not kept pace. This is because plenty of manufacturers are searching frantically to find low Glycemic Index carbohydrates sources for their products, & overlooking a basic, simple fact: the lowest possibly Glycemic Index is no carbohydrates at all.

These zero-carbohydrate/zero sugar nutritional supplements – which are rare in the market – do not deliver any sugar to the bloodstream. As a result, dieters do not must worry about riding the “roller coaster” of energy spikes & pitfalls.

For example, a dieter who eats a high Glycemic Index candy automobile can mitigate the roller-coaster spike in blood sugar levels by eating a nutritional supplement that has low Glycemic Index & has a rich source of complete protein. This is because the protein in the nutritional supplement mixes with the high Glycemic Index of the candy bar, & effectively lowers the overall Glycemic Index. This is welcome news to dieters who would otherwise be seeing those extra carbohydrates transformed by insulin in to triglycerides, & stored in adipose tissue; also known as body fat.

Yet there is an even greater benefit for dieters who pick a ‘zero sugar’ nutritional supplement. If that low Glycemic Index nutritional supplement is rich in complete protein, then it will act as a sort of antidote to high GI foods by helping to combat their adverse consequences.

Currently, only a handful of nutritional supplements are designed to offer zero carbohydrates & thus score as low as possible on the Glycemic Index. & of these zero-carbohydrate products, even fewer offer a rich source of complete protein that effectively helps counter the blood sugar spike impact of high Glycemic Index foods.

It is inspiring to note that Glycemic Index is getting some well-deserved attention from outside the diabetic community, where it's helped millions of people eat wisely. Now, dieters & fat people can enjoy the wisdom that this index promotes.