Using The Glycemic Index To Achieve Your Desired Weight Loss by Andrew Mason

We should take a slow but steady approach to the control of our weight. We need to know that the foods we are ingesting can be processed slowly so that we can avoid those annoying and unwanted spikes in blood sugar levels, which we see so often with those simple carbs. Carbohydrates are a vital source of energy for us, but it is the type of carb that we need to be concerned about. For those trying to balance weight and avoid the arrival of other illnesses, the way that we prepare and eat these carbs is important.

A diet that is far too high in simple carbohydrates places an unnecessary strain on our bodies. The pancreas is first in line for this onslaught, as it has to create a much greater level of insulin to try and deal with this type and supply of carbohydrates. This raises the blood sugar levels and insulin contributes to the problem by creating reserves of fat. As the body is really struggling to produce the amount of insulin to deal with these glucose levels flooding the bloodstream, a condition which we know only too well as diabetes can be around the corner.

We have developed a measure called the glycemic index, which looks at the amount of blood glucose levels linked to certain types of food. We are able to determine that certain foods cause glucose level spikes and unwanted insulin, and we need to avoid these foods if we are to control our weight and stay healthy.

Ultimately, we need to be sure that the food we eat is digested slowly and we do not want to end up with an elevated glycemic response. Foods that are classified toward the bottom of the index are also naturally high in fiber. This is difficult for the body to digest and therefore we will feel as if we are satisfied for a much longer period of time, fending off those annoying food cravings that are a primary cause of failure when trying to diet.

Foods that are ranked toward the bottom end of the glycemic index will produce a more moderate glycemic response within us. They will be processed at a slower rate and we will feel less hungry. The ideal situation is for us to maintain a constant supply of blood sugar and not to go through those peaks and troughs. We know only too well what happens when we do not follow this regime as we can come across sugar crashes during the mid-morning, mid-afternoon or at bedtime.

Complex carbohydrates are your friend. You can find them in fruit and vegetables and natural foods, which undergo a steady and particular process as they are handled by the body. These carbohydrates take time to be broken down to manageable levels. The ups and downs that we experience when we eat foods contained within the higher echelons of the glycemic index must be avoided, as we focus on the slow release attributes of the better foods. Check to make sure that your triglyceride levels are normal and keep your cholesterol in check as you aim for a much more healthy life without the threat of diabetes, cancers or heart disease.