Many - or should I say most - of us experience blood sugar crashes every day. But, most of us have no idea just what is happening to our bodies and how to control it. When you do have a blood sugar crash, you will experience a general lethargy - you could also get the shakes and feel weak.
Our bodies need the sugar (glucose) in our bloodstream for energy and we perform at our best if the supply is steady and constant. Using the glycemic index list, we can easily choose foods that will provide a slow constant release throughout the day and avoid the (unhealthy) roller coaster highs and lows.
The glycemic index list is nothing more than a way to rank foods according to the effect they have on the blood glucose levels. Particularly carbohydrates. They are the ones that create the highs and lows. Fats and proteins are released more slowly and don't cause spikes.
The glycemic index list compares how much your blood sugar levels will be raised by a 50 - gram portion. These various carbohydrates are tested against a control of pure glucose or bread.
The temporary increase is called the glycemic response and all carbohydrates cause it. But, they cause it at varying levels according to the type of carb, the amount it was processed, the way it was prepared and the amount eaten. The glycemic response is affected by all of them.
The rankings go from 1 to 100. Pure glucose is at 100. For a food to be considered in the high range, it has to score above 70. Low is 55 and less. Obviously, the moderate range comes in at 56 to 69.
Like pretzels? they come in at a whopping - fat inducing 81.
Instead, reach for some broccoli (15) or a fruit cocktail at 55.
In our bodies, for the glucose to work, it has to be accompanied by insulin. Glucose spikes cause insulin spikes which are bad for us on MANY levels that go well beyond this article. That's why we care so much about the glucose spikes. Lower levels of insulin release is better for us.
Plus...all that glucose has to go somewhere! if we don't use it right away, it gets stored as fat! Controlling your weight is as simple as eating foods lower on the glycemic index list. This releases glucose more slowly - so we have a better chance of burning it off! Not to mention that the slower digestion means we feel full longer and eat less.
The glycemic index list measures quality, not quantity. It's a constant 50 grams and the score is not affected by the amount you eat.
To control your weight and to avoid blood sugar spikes, you will still need to exercise a little portion control.
With regular workouts and keeping an eye on portion sizes the glycemic index list can be the best weight loss system you've ever tried.
You can get a lot more information from my website. It has tons of information about the glycemic index list and other weight loss methods. Be sure to get your copy of my "Fast Weight loss Tips!" mini-course while it's still free.
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