Nutrition Information |
|
||
The Glycemic Index and Dieting
The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams, models, acronyms, and abbreviations; more than the average person can memorize. As such, one often comes across someone who has simply burnt out trying to keep track of how much to eat, when to eat it, how to find the calories from fat, the RDI, the DV, and so on. There is an overkill of useful information within the nutrition field, and it can ironically provoke one to grow weary and exhausted, tune out, and go grab a fast food burger. Yet every once in a while, a concept within the nutrition field emerges that truly demands attention. Over a decade ago, the USDA's "Food Pyramid" was one such concept because it helped eaters discover how many gaps existed in their typical daily diet. Now, as the Food Pyramid begins to take a new shape, and as the nutrition field works to establishes itself as the most important branch of health care in the 21st century, an invention called the Glycemic Index is taking center stage. The Glycemic Index (GI) is not new; it has been around for more than 2 decades. Yet until recently, its exposure beyond the world of diabetes has been limited [i]. The Glycemic Index indicates how "high" or "low" blood sugar levels change in response to carbohydrate intake. A "high" Glycemic Index indicates carbohydrates with a swift breakdown, whereas a "low" Glycemic Index indicates carbohydrates with slow, gradual breakdown. Both terms are of equal importance to diabetics, because there are times with high Glycemic Index foods are required, and times where low Glycemic Index foods are required. Indeed, the Glycemic Index itself is not new, but its application far beyond the borders of a diabetic dialogue is notable; especially for dieters. People striving to lose weight often face a nemesis much tougher than establishing an exercise regimen or introducing healthier foods into their diet. The problem is one of energy. Many dieters are surprised - and disturbed - to learn that their diet program is causing them to lose more than inches and pounds: they are losing energy. This is often expressed as a complaint, as in "I'm feeling weak", or even "I can't stay awake". Many dieters and those advising them have erroneously chalked this up to a matter of attitude, or will power, or some non-biological cause. The plain truth is that many dieters have been oblivious to the Glycemic Index, and hence, to the fact that many of the diet foods they have eaten - or are eating right now - score very high Glycemic Index levels. As such, these foods are providing a quick boost to blood sugar levels, and then setting up the dieter for the inevitable fall. This is because high GI foods typically increase blood sugar values, which in turn trigger the hormone insulin to clear sugar from the blood. Since blood sugar (a.k.a. glucose) largely dictates the body's energy levels, it stands to reason that this process manifests as an initial boost in energy, and then as a depletion of energy. This rise and fall of blood sugar - and energy - is often described by dieters using a "roller-coaster" analogy: one minute they feel confident and strong, and the next, they are about to pass out and require some kind of stimulant in order to make it through the day. Regrettably for many dieters, that stimulant is usually more high Glycemic Index foods, such as sugary snacks or soft drinks. It is easy to see how this experience can lead an individual to stop dieting. After all, before the diet, the individual was merely gaining weight. On the diet, the individual is gaining weight and is exhausted for most of the day. It is better to quit the diet. The above scenario only takes place, however, when a dieter unwittingly eats high Glycemic Index foods. Research has shown that low Glycemic Index foods, which raise blood sugar levels much more gradually than high Glycemic Index foods, are very helpful for dieters [ii]. This is because a dieter will experience less of a "roller-coaster" ride while on the diet, and furthermore, will be less inclined to snack because energy in the form of blood glucose is being released slowly and gradually. Low Glycemic Index foods are much more efficient sources of energy than high Glycemic Index foods, because the body needs less insulin to convert food into energy [iii]. Despite the growing awareness that low Glycemic Index foods are beneficial, the world of diet foods has not kept pace. This is because many manufacturers are searching frantically to find low Glycemic Index carbohydrates sources for their products, and overlooking a basic, simple fact: the lowest possibly Glycemic Index is no carbohydrates at all. These zero-carbohydrate/zero sugar nutritional supplements - which are quite rare in the market - do not deliver any sugar to the bloodstream. As a result, dieters do not have to worry about riding the "roller coaster" of energy spikes and pitfalls. Yet there is an even greater benefit for dieters who choose a 'zero sugar' nutritional supplement. If that low Glycemic Index nutritional supplement is rich in complete protein, then it will act as a sort of antidote to high GI foods by helping to combat their adverse consequences. For example, a dieter who eats a high Glycemic Index candy car can mitigate the roller-coaster spike in blood sugar levels by eating a nutritional supplement that has very low Glycemic Index and has a rich source of complete protein. This is because the protein in the nutritional supplement mixes with the high Glycemic Index of the candy bar, and effectively lowers the overall Glycemic Index. This is welcome news to dieters who would otherwise be seeing those extra carbohydrates transformed by insulin into triglycerides, and stored in adipose tissue; also known as body fat. Currently, only a handful of nutritional supplements are designed to offer zero carbohydrates and thus score as low as possible on the Glycemic Index. And of these zero-carbohydrate products, even fewer offer a rich source of complete protein that effectively helps counter the blood sugar spike impact of high Glycemic Index foods. It is inspiring to note that Glycemic Index is getting some well-deserved attention from outside the diabetic community, where it has helped millions of people eat wisely. Now, dieters and obese people can enjoy the wisdom that this index promotes. ABOUT PROTICA Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com REFERENCES [i] Source: "The G.I. Diet: A Food Drill". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/earlyshow/living/main604138.shtml [ii] Source: "The Glycemic Index". The Healthy Weight Forum. http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/articles/glycemic-index/ [iii] Source "Glycemic Index". WebMD. http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/uq2846.asp Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
Look For
MORE RESOURCES: Hawaii lawmakers advance vacation rental bill to final votes Honolulu Star-Advertiser Key committee passes vacation rentals Hawaii Tribune-Herald 'A significant step forward': Destinations Florida urges Gov. DeSantis to sign vacation rental bill Florida Politics Hostaway Gets Into Fintech With Loans to Customers Skift Travel News Owners selling vacation rentals from under guests is a growing problem The Seattle Times Why I Prefer Hotels Over Airbnb Fodor's Travel Hawaii governor pledges to sign vacation rental regulation bill Courthouse News Service Vacation rental laws under review Lakes Area Radio Park City Lodging wins Best of State for vacation rentals a sixth year in a row - Utah Business Utah Business New era of policing vacation rentals in Santa Cruz County pushes complaints, violations into public view Lookout Santa Cruz Oceanside City Council continues debate over short-term rentals FOX 5 San Diego RedAwning buys Awning.com to set new standards for STRs Short Term Rentalz Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis West Hawaii Today York's short-term rental ordinance ignites dueling campaigns Seacoastonline.com Vacation Rentals on Business Trips? Who Gets the Best Airline Seat? Skift Travel News City of Jacksonville Beach calls for short-term rental bill veto FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX The Meteoric Rise and Spectacular Fall of the Queen of Airbnb Business Insider Vacation Rentals: How to Make Your Stay Sustainable The New York Times A Statewide Ban On Vacation Rentals? The Idea Is Gaining Steam After The Maui Fires Honolulu Civil Beat FL lawmakers pass state regulations on short-term vacation rentals; how will it play out? • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix As vacation rentals eat up housing in South Florida, controlling them might become harder | Opinion Miami Herald Airbnb Rosemont Montreal Online | atlantaprogressivenews.com Atlanta Progressive News Ask Amy: Family friends poach vacation rental Chicago Tribune State legislation stalls movement on Pinellas vacation rental regulations ABC Action News Tampa Bay These Are the Top 10 Vacation Rentals on Vrbo for 2024 Travel + Leisure Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis Hamilton Spectator Lawmakers passed bill to shift control of vacation rentals to state Tallahassee Democrat Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis El Paso Inc. The effort to get the FL governor to veto short-term vacation rental bill accelerates • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Green Won't Issue Vacation Rental Moratorium For Maui Honolulu Civil Beat Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis WNYT NewsChannel 13 Senator wants uniform standards for short-term vacation rentals, but it seems to be a tough sell • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis Jackson Hole News&Guide Big Island Lawmakers Attempt To Rein In Short-Term Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat This year's version of a short-term vacation rental bill now goes to the full House • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis RiverBender.com 5 Desired Features for Vacation Rentals Real Estate Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis goskagit.com 34 Gorgeous Beach House Rentals Around the World | Condé Nast Traveler Condé Nast Traveler Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis telegraphherald.com Deadly Fort Lauderdale shooting spotlights concerns over vacation rentals bill - NBC 6 South Florida Deadly Fort Lauderdale shooting spotlights concerns over vacation rentals bill NBC 6 South Florida 4 Perfect Vrbo Vacation Rentals at the Delaware Beaches Delaware Today State lawmakers advancing short-term vacation rental measure News 13 Orlando Airbnb rentals could be harder to come by in Hawaii Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com Some Florida mayors are getting testy about a contentious vacation rental bill • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix The latest version of a vacation rental bill gets its first hearing in Tallahassee • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix This affluent Bay Area county may put hard limit on vacation rentals for first time San Francisco Chronicle Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis KVIA 100+ Best Summer Vacation Rentals to Book Now Condé Nast Traveler Vrbo's Vacation Rentals of the Year 2024: A Full List of the Properties Good Housekeeping Vacation Home Rental In Albuquerque, New Mexico Only In Your State Green Bay area vacation rentals ask $10,000 a night for 2025 NFL draft Green Bay Press Gazette Short-term vacation rental bill passes in FL Senate, but regulations on the issue remain unsettled • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Marin County passes new rules limiting vacation rentals San Francisco Chronicle Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis Times Daily Hawaii governor wants 3000 vacation rentals converted to housing for Maui wildfire survivors The Associated Press Best Greater Palm Springs Area Vacation Rentals to Book Palm Springs Life Hawaii Legislature Mulls Ban on Vacation Rentals Fodor's Travel 10 Best Vacation Rentals in Dallas of 2024 TravelAwaits Bill would regulate short-term vacation rentals, give state more power WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm |
RELATED ARTICLES
Stay Healty, Eat more Fish and Seafood There are a lot of very good reasons to eat fish and seafood. Fish is a source of high quality protein, and is low in fat and cholesterol. Mangos: Treat Your Skin and Your Taste Buds Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet, juicy and delicious. Eating For Success: Breakfast For The Busy Corporate The first place that we cut corners when we are busy or stressed is our eating and in particular our breakfast. The food you eat forms the very building blocks of your body, but most of us have lost sight of the fact that food is fuel and that the purpose of eating is to provide our bodies with the tools they need for energy, functioning, building and maintenance. Dieting -- The Basic of Meal Planning BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and menu planning, refer to the pyramid information mentioned earlier to make sure you have the basic food requirements met for all family members. Then cross check and plan by looking over basic food categories to target healthy foods to fit the lifestyles and health of everyone. Buying Organic Produce: 6 Tips on How to Shop Wisely and Save Money Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due to higher cost and less availability. Here are a few ways to make organics more affordable and easier to purchase for your family. Nutrition, Evolution, and Having a Healthy Diet Nutrition has everything to do with health.� This isn't news, exactly, but looking around at the crazy information on the market, one wonders if anyone actually makes the connection: what you eat affects how you feel. The New Biology of Health - the Way to Perpetual Youth? Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's the snake oil salesperson promoting certain products as the cure-all for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease? Does it work ?Simply put, the "New Biology of Health" is about maintaining your body's acid/alkaline balance or pH level. The ideal pH level, as measured by saliva, urine, or blood tests, is slightly alkaline. Redeeming Unsaturated Fat The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'. It is not uncommon to hear a dieter discuss their avoidance of eating fat as if it were something thoroughly unwholesome, or even life-threatening, like an allergen, or a contagious disease. Hypertension -Twelve Simple Things You Can Do To Lower Your Blood Pressure Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with a new disorder: pre-hypertension. Is your blood pressure low enough?Nearly 23% of people over the age of 18 have pre-hypertension (blood pressure over 120/80 and less than 140/90). Male Infertility and Glutathione Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a well-known fact that sperm counts have dropped by half in the last 50 years, and that modern men have 20 percent less semen volume than their fathers (BMJ, 1992, volume 305).A recent report from researchers in Aberdeen presented preliminary data that suggests the sperm concentration of the men seen in their clinic had declined by 29% over the past 14 years. Eating Disorders Do Not Discriminate Who suffers from Eating Disorders?Eating Disorder sufferers are male and female alike. We are of all ethnicity's, religions,and economic backgrounds. The Importance of Nutrition and Lifestyle Eating healthy and taking care of yourself is essential to obtain optimal wellness. Most people roll their eyes or moan when confronted with these ideas, but, in reality, taking care of yourself is not as hard, time consuming, expensive, or dull as most would have you believe. Did You Start Your Life With Enough Probiotics? Why does disease begin in the digestive tract? Your digestive tract is your first line of defense when it comes to your health. This is because of the good bacteria that resides there. Whatever Happened to the Basic Four Food Groups? What Ever Happened to the Basic FourThe USDA was originally given the conflicting task of educating the public on agricultural matters while simultaneously working with food producers to provide a reliable and consistent food supply. This has, over the course of time, led to our ever evolving dietary guidelines, and yet is the purpose of these guidelines for our health or to sell more food?Would You Believe There Were Once 12 Food Groups?The food guides during the 1930's were heavily influenced by The Great Depression and at that time included 12 separate groups!In 1956 the USDA produced the "Basic Four" food guide. Olive Oil -Not Just for Popeye Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree for about 6,000 years; having been especially popular in the Isle of Crete (which as you recall, also appeared in the Seven Countries Study to be the site of the lowest incidence of heart disease). All oils that we use for eating and cooking contain "fat" and olive oil is no exception. Functional Foods Are Becoming More Popular... Established in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, "Foundation for Innovation in Medicine" defined "Nutraceutical", as a food, dietary suppplement, or medical food that has a medical or health benefit, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Today, it is hard to separate the definition of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods. There is No Miracle Cure for Arthritis, but Improving Your Diet can Help Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't have to tell you how bad it is. If you don't suffer from it yet, keep reading - I want to make sure you will do everything in your power to prevent yourself from getting it. What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar? Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand. When you say, "I'm on a DIET", it usually means you are depriving yourself of something. Capsulized Food: The Next Step in Food Evolution Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or who has even skipped a meal, knows just how much time we save when we are not provisioning and consuming meals. Of course, efficiency is not our only concern when it comes to eating. The Liquid Vitamin Mineral Approach Liquid vitamin mineralThe liquid vitamin mineral dietary supplement is a must have for maximum vitality and health. In today's fast food environment most of us do not get the proper balance of food for the necessary for optimal health Unfortunately the body only absorbs 10 to 20 percent of the nutrients found in traditional pills and capsules. |
home | site map |
© 2005 |