Ten Reasons for a Low Glycemic Lifestyle
1. Helps to stabilize your blood sugar levels throughout the day
When you choose to eat foods that do not cause sudden surges in your insulin, your blood sugar will be more stable, acting as a preventive for certain lifestyle diseases.
2. Is a powerful aid in reducing insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is usually caused by repeated surges in insulin over a number of years. Those surges are caused by consuming high glycemic foods, which cause spikes in insulin, needed to clean up excess sugar in your bloodstream. Over a period of time, your body needs larger portions of insulin to do the job, thus leading to insulin resistance and sometimes diabetes.
3. Prevents that afternoon energy slump.
Have you ever felt sleepy or tired shortly after eating high glycemic or starchy carbs? After your body receives the insulin surge to metabolize those carbs, it crashes after the insulin has done its job. Lower glycemic carbs do not cause the dramatic insulin surges, so your energy stays more stable over time.
4. Helps to control triglycerides and cholesterol levels.
There is a proven relationship between high levels of insulin and high levels both triglycerides and cholesterol.
5. Low glycemic foods tend to be packed with more nutrients and fiber.
Carbs that are lower on the glycemic index provide your body with more nutrition than the high glycemic carbs, that are often low in nutrients and fiber.
6. Raising the fiber in your diet helps with weight control and your digestive system.
Increasing your fiber intake has been shown to be an aid in weight loss and weight control, as well as an important prevention for diseases such as colon cancer.
7. High glycemic carbs have been linked to risk of heart disease
A high glycemic diet has been shown to increase both the bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels both of which are related to heart disease. It is also believed that these "bad carbs" may lower the levels of good cholesterol (HDL).
8. Changing to this healthier lifestyle may help to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Studies have shown that women who consumed high glycemic carbs regualrly are more likely to become diabetic. Those who have incorporated more fiber into their diets actually lower their risk of diabetes.
9. The JAMA has reported that low glycemic weight loss tends to be longer lasting than other plans.
10. Better appetite control.
When you choose carbs that are high in nutrients and fiber, you simply will not be hungry thirty minutes later. It is also important to incorporate protein and healthy fat in your diet. Both digest slowly and will help to keep your metabolism on an even keel. |