Five Reasons to Eat Low Glycemic Index Foods

May 15, 2009 By 1 Comment

Glycemic is the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. In order for the body to function normally a fixed range of glycemia (70 to 100mg) is required. The Glycemic Index (called GI Index) is a method that ranks foods based on how fast they raise glycemia.

There is typically a range of low (55 or less), medium (56-69), and high (70-99) Glycemic Index foods. The problem with most people is that they tend towards the high end of the glycemic index.

A Low Glycemic Index diet is a good idea for many reasons.

1. Helps Weight Loss

Eating low Glycemic foods helps to lose and control weight. When the higher Glycemic foods are consumed the extra glucose is stored as fat. So low Glycemic foods help to keep that glucose balance in your body, normally keeping you from gaining weight.

2. Improves Diabetes Control

If you are a diabetic then eating low Glycemic foods is a good idea. A low Glycemic diet increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin and improves diabetes control.

3. Reduces Health Risks

The risk of heart disease and high cholesterol are reduced. When you consume high Glycemic foods which include fried foods, white bread, doughnuts, baked potatoes, carbonated beverages, and beer, you are putting your body at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke.

4. Provides Slow, Even Energy

Low Glycemic foods release their energy slowly to the body. This helps the body to have a more concise and constant supply of energy. This in turn prevents drastic fluctuation in blood-glucose levels helping you to avoid feeling of fatigue, fogginess, and instability.

5. Balances Your Appetite

You can lose weight and have a lower BMI eating low glycemic foods. People who eat a greater amount of high glycemic index foods on average have greater levels or body fat. Lower Glycemic Index foods (under 55) metabolize slower and keeps your appetite balanced. If your appetite is balanced you won’t eat a much and you will lose weight.

The foods you should focus on to maintain a low glycemic number include: kidney beans, whole wheat pasta, tofu, soy milk, plain yogurt, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, bean sprouts, and many other fruits and vegetables.

The medium glycemic index foods include: bananas, pineapples, popcorn, and oatmeal. These foods are not as bad as the high GI foods and are a better choice when you can’t get to the low GI foods.

As mentioned earlier, high GI foods include most fried foods, pitas, doughnuts, soda crackers, baked potatoes and even watermelon.

The consumption of lower Glycemic Index foods is a wise way to watch your weight, keep blood pressure and cholesterol levesl down, keep up your energy level so that you can work more effectively through the day and help you maintain a stronger healthier life. The fact that they are mostly whole foods makes them readily available and very easy to prepare and add to your daily diet.

Health is not a joke and every precaution should be taken to ensure that your health is as good as it can possibly be. With research, a properly balanced diet that includes foods low on the GI food list, and other smart eating tactics, you can be a healthier and happier you.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach
CEO, Diana’s Healthy Lifestyles

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Nutrition, Whole Foods Help Curb Cravings

May 11, 2009 By 3 Comments

At the foundation of every craving is an unbalanced diet.

Cravings are a sign that either your body has become too dependent on a substance (like salt or sugar) or that your body is missing out on important nutrients.

When you fill up on empty calories and junk food, your body will feel like it still needs to eat because it hasn’t received any nutrients with your meals. That’s why one of the most effective ways to reduce your cravings is to eat a balanced diet.

A balanced diet full of whole, unprocessed foods gives your body exactly what it is looking for. When you receive the same kind of nutrients that are necessary for proper body functioning, you won’t have as many cravings. Reduced cravings means that you won’t overeat and you’ll naturally lose weight.

The first step is to get rid of any processed foods that are a regular part of your diet. Packaged foods that are processed in a factory have excess chemicals and are normally higher in fat and calories than whole foods. Eating a lot of these types of foods will leave your body wanting more of both the chemicals and food in general. When your diet relies on these type of foods, you will feel full but will literally be starving your body of nutrition.

Vitamins cannot replace the natural nutrients and minerals that are found in fresh, whole foods. In order to reduce your cravings and get back on track with eating better, you’ve got to shift your diet. One of the easiest ways to tell if you are eating right is to take notice of where you do most of your shopping at the grocery store. If you concentrate your shopping on the outside aisles, then you’re eating fresh, whole foods. Most processed foods are found in the center rows of a grocery store. Stick to the fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, meats (if you eat them) and you’ll see a reduction in cravings.

In addition to craving more food than you should eat, you may also experience cravings for food substances like salt or sugar. Unfortunately, with these additives the more you eat, the more your body wants them. In order to curb this craving, you’re going to need to take steps to remove them from your diet entirely.

It may be hard at first, and you’ll definitely go through a withdrawal period where you experience an intensification of your cravings. Increase your water intake, start an exercise program and keep eating healthfully. Chemical additives and excess sugar and salt can sometimes be hard food addictions to break. Commit yourself to eliminating these things from your diet for at least 2 weeks and you’ll see a big difference.

The best way to eliminate cravings from your life is to incorporate fresh, whole foods into your diet. Remove harmful substances from your diet and once you get over the initial withdrawal, your health will be better and you won’t experience cravings any longer.

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Dandelion Root Health Liver Cleanse

March 22, 2009 By 8 Comments

Dandelion Root Liver CleanseDandelion Root Liver Cleanse

I’ve just completed a spring cleaning on my apartment – well, I am moving apartments, and in the process I cleaned out and gave away a lot of unnecessary items.  It feels so wonderful to “lighten up” and simplify.

We can do that for our bodies too.

Dandelion Root – Food for the Liver

Dandelion Root is known as a food for the liver, and is very high in calcium and other nutrients.  Some herbal texts mention dandelion’s ability to aid skin problems, detoxify poisons and toxic waste in the body, and act as a tonic to the stomach.  Dandelion is a natural source of protein, and is very high in Vitamins A, B, C, and E.  It is rich in potassium, calcium, and natural sodium, with some phosphorus and iron.

Some benefits noted by herbalists include:

•    Clears toxins
•    Cleans the liver
•    Promotes urination
•    Beneficial for arthritic conditions
•    Gentle, mild, natural Antibiotic
•    Inhibits bacteria and fungi
•    One of the most Detoxifying herbs
•    Beneficial for skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis

Louise Tenney writes in Today’s Herbs: “The liver is our personal food storage.  Starches are stored in the liver, and changed to glycogen and released as the body needs energy-building material.  Fats are stored in the liver as well as proteins, where they are changed into amino acids.  White blood cells are manufactured in the liver to destroy germs and poisons, which come from the intestines.  The liver is responsible for the substance that causes blood to clot.  The liver also detoxifies.  It renders harmless the toxic end-products of the digestion process.  When the liver is working properly, it has the task of eliminating toxic metals.  When the liver is in trouble, it puts strain and congestion on all the glands, muscles, joints and the body structure.  Dandelion strengthens the liver with its easily assimilated minerals concentrated in the roots of the plant.”

Why should we Cleanse the Liver?

The liver is the largest organ in the human body.  It is extremely complex. The liver performs over 500 functions in the body – can you imagine if you had to perform 500 functions?  That is high demand on our poor liver!  Here are just some of the functions the liver performs:

1.  Purifies the blood
2.  Manufactures and secretes bile
3.  Stores 20% to 30% of your body’s blood
4.  Detoxifies – turns toxic materials into non-toxic material
5.  Creates, metabolizes, and stores Hormones
6.  Metabolizes Fat – affects triglycerides, cholesterol, blood and body fat levels
7.  Metabolizes Nutrients for Life: proteins, fats, carbohydrates

Signs of a Sluggish Liver

1.  Allergies
2.  Chemical Sensitivie
3.  Constipation
4.  Obesity
5.  PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome)

Dandelion Root Liver Cleanse and Detox Recipe

Start slowly, with 1 capsule a day, and work up.
Cleansing & Detox Recipe — Dandelion Root Recipe for Liver Cleanse, “Spring Cleaning” the body or for “Body Cleaning” any time:  Open 2-3 capsules Dandelion Root, mix in 8 ounces warm or hot water.  Drink 3-4 cups per day.

Or, just swallow the capsules with water or Sunrider Calli Tea or Sunrider Fortune Delight.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach
CEO, Diana’s Healthy Lifestyles

Filed Under: Healthy Lifestyles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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