Do you want to lose weight? Then reach for Santé's April issue. Our Get in Shape Spring Plan is packed with tips to get yourself in shape for the summer. An extra tip especially for Sante.nl:pay attention to the glycemic index.
The GI Diet
Don't feel like cutting out carbs completely or counting calories all day long? Then the glycemic index diet (GI diet) may be for you. This diet is designed for diabetic patients to maintain their sugar levels, but also appears to be a good guideline for healthy people who want to lose weight.
How does it work?
The idea behind this diet is that there are slow and fast carbohydrates. Slow carbohydrates (such as in legumes, fruit, whole wheat pasta) have a glycemic value of less than 50. This means that they make you feel full for longer and keep your sugar level low. Fast carbohydrates (such as in chips, cake, fries) have a high glycemic value (>70) and cause a glucose peak in your blood. Of course, there are also many products that fall in between, with a GI between 50 and 70 (such as bread, rice, pasta). You may take this occasionally.
Pros and Cons
Advantage of this diet:you don't have to cook separately, or count calories. Disadvantage of this diet:you have to know the GI value of different products and keep a list in the kitchen.
5 tips to keep it simple
Do you prefer to keep it simple? Then follow these 5 simple rules:
– Eat oatmeal for breakfast.
– Eat as many whole grains as possible.
– Eat fruits and vegetables as snacks.
– Have salads for lunch regularly with a vinegar dressing. The acid lowers the glycemic value of the ingredients.
– Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water.
Read the entire spring feel-good plan in the April issue of Santé from page 56. Including a handy 10-step plan and a weekly menu.
Text:Esma Linneman | Image:Shutterstock
