To many on a diet, the word 'Carbohydrates' tastes as bad as sucking on a lime. Everyone close to you is also telling you that carbs can absolutely mess up your diet plan. What you may not realize is that carbs are not made identical. If you have done some reading before embarking on your diet, you would have come across terms like high and low Glycemic Index. The low GI diet plan is one easy diet that you can quickly incorporate in your weightloss routine.

What on earth is the Glycemic Index?

The Glycemic Index (GI) is a measurement of the digestive rate of carbs taken. And why is glucose important? Our body uses glucose to power its daily vital functions. Without glucose your body will not be able to function optimally.

What is regarded as High GI?

High GI foods can result in a 'Sugar Rush'. That immediate rush of energy after eating a lot of unhealthy food only to leave you feeling crappy later on. That's what high GI food does to you. It provides a quick but unsustainable source of energy.

High GI foods:

a) Weetabix

b) Doritos

c) Jelly beans

d) Puffed wheat

e) Cornflakes

Low GI (55 or less)

Boring but healthy. You won't be getting a 'sugar rush' from foods that are low GI. Thus providing sustainable energy for you. Hence you should also be including a lot more fruits, greens and legumes in your diet.

Such foods would include:

a) Soya milk

b) All-bran

c) Grapefruit

d) Sweet potato

e) Skim Milk

So how can you integrate the use of low and high GI foods in your diet?

1. A Good Breakfast Is Key

Since young I'm sure you have heard countless times that what you have for breakfast is very important. Downing waffles or pancakes drowned in maple syrup will not make you feel like a million bucks after breakfast. Have something healthy like a wholemeal bread sandwich stuffed with veggies and lean meat.

2. Eating Smaller Meals During The Day

You will be able to manage your blood sugar levels more efficiently by eating 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day. To people that are working, this looks like an uphill chore. By getting ready your food the evening before, you can just carry it to work in a bag. This also prevents you from being sleepy than if you were to have one large meal for lunch.

3. Go Nuts, Go Green, Go Bananas

Add some variety in your diet by eating more fruits, nuts and greens. Not only are these foods a good source of low GI, they provide other health benefits.

4. Spring Clean Your Fridge

Time to start filling up your fridge with healthy stuff instead of chocolates and candy bars. Don't stray from a low GI diet plan and soon it will be second nature to reach for a healthy snack.

5. Paste the Glycemic Index Chart Someplace Accessible

And I don't mean pasting it under your car's bonnet. Having a list close by allows you to quickly compare the GI between foods or deciding what to fill your grocery bags with.

Advantages Of a Low GI Diet Plan

So what good does consuming all these low GI food bring us? Research has revealed that there are certainly good health benefits from a low GI diet.

a) Weight reduction

b) Reduced chance of getting heart diseases

c) Lower cholesterol levels

d) Better hunger management

e) Better blood sugar control for diabetic patients

Getting started on the low GI diet plan is rather easy. It does require some initial effort but so is anything worth doing. What I found difficult about this diet was making it a point to order to take in low GI carbs. Cooking at home was the easy part. Crunch time emerged when I had the cafe menu in my hands. It was very tempting to order something fried or heavily buttered up. I had to do a self check and order something healthy instead

Truth be told, I don't want to end up having the eating patterns of a rabbit. I still want to feast on my waffles and doughnuts. But keep in mind that for any good diet to work, moderation and self-discipline goes a long way in weight loss.