How to Lose Weight on a Low Glycemic Index Diet

Dieting using the glycemic index is one of the easiest ways to eat healthy and lose weight. When you eat this way, you don't spike your blood sugar, and you find that many of your food cravings go away.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• willpower
• list of foods low on glycemic index

1. If you are going to lose weight by following a low glycemic index diet, make sure that you are committed to it. If you eat an item that is high on the glycemic index, you will spike your blood sugar and may have irresistible cravings. So no cheating!

2. Be aware that you will not be eating sugar on this diet. Sugar withdrawal may happen, but should go away within a week or two.

3. Find a website that lists which foods are low on the glycemic index (GI) and which are high GI. Avoid high GI foods. If you want to lose a lot of weight, eat medium GI foods in very limited amounts.

4. Keep in mind that even though nuts and cheese are low GI foods, they are very calorie dense. They are allowed on a low glycemic diet, but only in small quantities.

5. You can always eat plenty of lean meat (although not any that are processed with honey or sugar)and nonstarchy vegetables. Beans are a good food to add in as well. Eat grains such as oats in moderation.

6. If you feel food cravings start to return, look at what you are eating. Grains are most likely to cause cravings to return, and are not as low glycemic as green vegetables and meat. Fruits should also be eaten in moderation.

7. Eat plenty of berries. They are very low glycemic, and satisfy a sweet tooth! Blackberries and blueberries are the best ones to eat on this diet.

8. Plan ahead. Many restaurants do not have low glycemic foods, for example. Plan to eat at a Mexican restaurant (avoid the rice, have the meat and beans) and keep a low GI snack such as almonds with you at all times so that you don't give into the urge to go through the drive thru.

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Tips & Warnings

• As with any diet, be sure to drink plenty of water.
• Processed foods are rarely low glycemic. Avoid them.

Resources

• Losing Weight With Sugar Busters

[mizchulita]

on 12/26/2008 @Kallicat: Definitely all the berries! They are the best fruits to eat on this diet. Bananas are the no-no.

[Kallicat]

on 12/26/2008 I might try this as I am diabetic and been told a low GI diet would be good for my blood sugars. Is it all berries, i.e. strawberries and raspberries that are acceptable on this diet?

[ElizabethLeigh]

on 11/30/2008 Eating low on the glycemic index can be tricky, but it's a very healthy, effective way to lose weight. Nice article! 5*****