The Glycaemic Index - GI: How it works

The Glycaemic Index (GI): How it works

Carbohydrates, carbs for short. For all health-and-weight-watchers across the globe it’s become the four-lettered word to watch out for.

Much like ‘fat’ a decade age Good Housekeeping, we believe it’s time to stop this demonising trend, particularly when there is a logical, scientific way out. Here is a healthy eating plan to help you lose weight without feeling hungry. The glycaemic index (Gl) rates carbohydrate according to the speed at which they’re digested and how rapidly they raise blood sugar levels - and this is the basis of our healthy plan.

Foods with a high Gl rating (usually highly processed foods) are broken down fast and set off a set of chain reaction blood-sugar levels shoot up; your body produces a surge of insulin to bring it back consequently, blood sugar levels fall sharply - your body senses you are low on sugar and you start feeling hungry very quickly. So choosing foods that have a low GI means that the body digests them at a slow, steady rate so you feel full for much longer Check out our three lists of foods rated low, moderate and high Gl, plus a free list (with insignificant Gl). Remember, one of the most helpful aspects of a Gl diet is that you don’t have to weigh and measure everything- in our seven-day plan, a ‘helping translates to the amount that is enough to satisfy your appetite.

Boost your health points
Eat all you like from the free list; pick three meals, plus one snack a day, from the other lists, not exceeding total daily points beyond 15. Aim for 2-4 points for breckfast| fast; 4-6 points each for lunch and dinner and 1-3 points for your snack.