Put simply, a foods
Glycemic Index is how quickly blood sugar will rise
after eating a food containing carbohydrates.
How does the Glycemic
Index diet work?:
Switching to low GI foods
means you still get to eat carbs - but you'll learn to
eat 'good' carbs. Low GI foods slow the release of
blood sugar (glucose) to a manageable level in your
body.
What are the Benefits
of the Glycemic Index (GI) Diet?
Low GI diets condition your body - lose & control weight
Balanced insulin / sugar in your body = more energy
Can help extend physical endurance - balanced energy
What the Experts Say:
WebMD: Good Carbs Mean Better Weight (Glycemic Index)
Readers Digest: The New Way to Lose Weight (GI Diets)
Womens-Health.com: Sick of Counting Carbs - Try GI
Detailed Review -
Glycemic Index Explained:
About the Glycemic
Index Diet
The
Glycemic Index Diet is based off of a balanced approach
towards nutrition and blood sugar. Following the
research and support that originated in Europe with
the Glycemic Index Diet, the Glycemic Impact Diet plan is
embraced as an easy to adopt plan that can be followed
for the rest of your life.
How the
Glycemic Impact Diet Works
The
cornerstone of the Glycemic Index Diet is a
balanced approach between your intake of unrefined
complex carbohydrates with lean protein and specific
kinds of fats. Once you learn how to recognize and control your diet of these foods, you stabilize your
blood sugars and help increase your metabolism. In
effect, you lose weight while balancing your energy and
metabolism -- which has dramatic long lasting benefits
to your health.
Learning
to adjust your diet to 'good carbs' takes some help.
You have a couple of options to help you adjust your
carb intake and the Glycemic Index really makes it easy
and effective. We've examined both the eDiets and
NutriSystem Glycemic Index plans and both are effective
- you'll need to choose the option that's best for you
as they each have some significant differences.
Which
Glycemic Index Diet Provider is Best for you?
We're big
fans of the Glycemic Index plan and its realistic
approach to treating addressing carbohydrates. It
allows you to have real foods without gimmicks of point
counting or constant micro measurements - steps that
work in the short term but aren't likely to lead to long
term results or lifestyle adjustment. In many
ways its similar to the South Beach Diet plan - only
easier. You'll quickly and easily learn how to
pick 'good carbs' when making simple choices on foods
you already want and enjoy - like pasta and bread.
While we
looked at nearly a dozen diet providers who have
programs based on either the Glycemic Index or South
Beach Diet plans, there were two that stood ahead of the
others in terms of quality, ease of use, and value.
Which one is best for you depends on your individual
needs - whether you need to focus on absolute
convenience (NutriSystem)
or cost (eDiets) and go the do-it-yourself approach.
Convenience - NutriSystem -
Prepackaged Meals - Delivered to your Door
NutriSystem has several base
plans based on the Glycemic Index diet - they're all very well managed and
easy to follow. NutriSystem has really put a lot of effort into making
this an easy to follow experience.
They realize their customers
want a well balanced plan and want really great tasting food. We were
surprised to find that
NutriSystem was also one of the lowest priced plans available too (price
varies based on the meal plans you choose).
They have several plans
specific to the Glycemic Index diet. 2 of the most popular are:
Men's Diet - Glycemic Diet Plan made
specific for men. Its the Dan Marino plan you may have seen
commercials for.
NutriSystem plan is based
on the simple premise that not everyone has time to do their own cooking,
planning, or lifestyle.
NutriSystem plans provide foods that are
already configured and menu's you choose
from - all are properly balanced
for the Glycemic Index plan. We were stunned at how good the food was
- this is definitely worth considering if you lead an active lifestyle and
lunches and dinners are a big problem. NutriSystem now offers 1 week
of free food - try them out - its a very straight forward and balanced
approach.
Value - eDiets - Do it
Yourself (with a lot of managed help)
eDiets is our category leader
and highest reviewed online diet plan.
Their Glycemic Impact Diet
plan is perfectly suited for those taking control but needing help to learn
how to adjust your diet safely. You'll learn exactly how the Glycemic
plan works and save big on costs - buying
grocery store food is a lot
cheaper than other options. Its also the best way to put the
nutritional changes you'll be learning about into aaction.
Buying your own food from the grocery store rather than having it delivered
can save a ton of money and you'll quickly learn how to adjust your diet.
They even have "Print and Go" Glycemic Impact diet lists.
Plans are just $3.99/week, and
eDiets offers a
Free Glycemic Diet profile. Give them
a try - see why they earn our highest overall category rating and the praise
of Forbes Magazine, PC Magazine, and Readers Digest.
Glycemic Index
Diet Recommendation:
The
GI Diet features some great fundamentals -
including showing food group combinations and its effect
on your blood sugar and metabolism. This is a
relatively new area of health and nutrition but is
showing remarkable results for many of our readers.
What we like most is the life-long teachings -- this has
the potential to be much more than just a weight loss
program and more of a step towards lifelong health.
The plans from eDiets and NutriSystem are both extremely
well organized and easy to follow.
If your
success will ultimately be decided on the convenience
factor, NutriSystem is the best option available.
It is more expensive however, and eDiets consistently
earns our best overall diet provider award so unless you
have to have the convenience factor of pre-packaged
foods, our highest recommendation is with eDiets.
Their Glycemic Impact plan at just $3.99/week is a
tremendous value.
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