LA Weight Loss - Glycemic Index Diet - Opinions Please

Hi All -

I am looking into ediets Glycemic Index Diet - it looks good, but wondering if anyone's tried it. I can tell from the large GI Diet thread some of you are doing something similar - any big success?

Thanks for your opinions!

Hi.. I have just started reading about the glycemic index... actually, the South Beach diet promotes the use of the GI .... I would recommend the book The Glucose Revolution, which explains it... India

Hi...I am new to the GI diet and am just now going to Amazon to get some books. I need to do something quick..I have barely anything left in my closet that fits!!
I am hoping to meet some other GI dieters too...Anyone?

Suz

Hi:

I've been on my own "Gi diet" for a week now. I bought the book from Amazon and I haven't read it completely, but I have followed the instructions from the web.

I have lost about 3 pounds ( 1.5 kg ) in one week , and the best thing is that my cravings have disappeared. Also, I'm less hungry.
It's as if my emotional eating has been stabilized and I'm very happy for it ¡¡¡

Aural, can you tell me where you found the instructions?

Thanks, Rachelle

Hi..I don't exactly have it down because my books haven't arrived yet, but here is the gist of what i have learned from the library and other people:

-you want good carbs, that is whole grains with lots of fiber. No white bread or white potatoes. Some things that we always thought were great diet choices are not for us...like rice cakes...very high GI. Most breakfast cereals (with the exception of bran) are also high GI. Oatmeal is a great choice though.
- Lots of veggies
-protein and fat do not impact insulin levels but you still need to eat reasonable portions at each meal.
-Acidic foods lower the GI of the whole meal. I have taken to eating grapefruit at breakfast and make sure I have a vinegar type salad dressing on my salad at lunch.
-Dairy is good..milk, pudding, yogurt etc are all low GI. Makes good snacks. For work I usually bring microwave soups, yogurt and pudding for snacks. (I used to think microwave popcorn was a good option...alas it is not)

Ok..that is just what i know so far....I will keep you posted!

Suz

Hi guys,
I am actually in another group - the JC group - and I love this website and love to surf around and chat....... I am also combining with Low Glycemic, because I am a firm believer in the necessity of keeping an eye on the carbs! A doctor, whom I know personally, has an excellent book called: "Dare to Lose" (Dr. Shari Lieberman). You can find that book on eBay at a very reasonable price. It tells you what you need to know and follow.
For anybody who would like to hear more, I will be glad to tell in more details how I go about it.
So I combine eating 3-hourly with the keeping tab on the GI as well - it is basically called: Transition, a lifestyle change.
My email is: magreta@charter.net
Blessings,
Magreta :carrot:

Low G.I. Diet is easy and healthy. It is a way of eating for life, not just losing.

Corn is for cows and potatoes are for pigs.

I've been following the zone plan and it also has you eat carbs with the low glycemic rate.

I am a big fan of low GI eating ... loosely follow Sugar Busters, which is very much like Phase II of South Beach and they are ALL like the "GI Diet" and the "Good Carb" diet.

Whichever way you do it, low to medium GI eating, sticking to good carbs ... it works and you will feel great and lose weight and your blood sugar control will never be better! :)

I've been on a low GI diet for just over 3weeks. I've lost 11lbs. My moods have stabilised and so have my cravings and binge eating. My Doctor (enviromental health specialst amongst other things) pushed me into it and I would now swear by it.
Basically, follow your calorie count keeping bad sugars and carbs out. I've swapped fluffy pasta and rice for bulgar wheat or couscous. Swapped thick cut white bread for soya bread. Mars bars have been replaced with green and blacks organic 70% dark chocolate. I've lowered my tea intake by introducing white strawberry tea (gorgeous) and water. I've stopped buying processed foods and mainly eat bowls of stirfried veg for dinner.
I would swear by green tea and I did drink it for the first 2weeks, but just got to the point where I couldn't stand the bitter aftertaste any longer. The white tea is meant to be purer and therefore has a stronger detoxifying effect. But, there's one big positive, it's actually nice!
Anyway, it's well worth a go, I personally found the Atkins too restrictive and because I couldn't stick to it ended up putting on 3lbs. Simply wasn't my way of eating. Low Gi suits me. I've also got the hubby ad kid on it, I hope my kids never have to bother with trying to change their eating patterns...
GOOD LUCK :)
http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker/img/bar070/flower05/lb/211/140/200/.png (http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker/index.php)

I would love to start this diet..it seems so healthy..but not the SB diet..not that it's not a good diet..I just lie this one better.

What is a good GI diet book to get?

I'm in England, and the books I have used have been Anthony Worall Thompson's Low GI Cookbook (he's a chef and has help from nutritionists in the book) and Louise Blair's low GI cookbook. I don't follow a specific plan. My diet looks exactly like Suz's. Oatmeal for breakfast, salad, protein and a good carb for lunch (if I can find one, sometimes it's a reasonable one like new potatoes if I can't find brown rice at work) and dinner is vegetable based with protein and usually beans for the carb - chic peas, lentils, etc.

I have lost 57 pounds in just less than a year, and still have the same amount to lose. I also do a lot of exercise. Because the Low GI plan gives you slow release energy during the day, exercise is easier, in my opinion, than if you follow a traditional diet.

I have done some research on the GI diet and it makes sense. The only caution that I would give is this eating plan does not promote for you to eat a bunch of fat (like cheese, bacon, butter etc). There are several principals that are great to follow. No white flour, rice or potato. For the bread option rye bread is the best choice. The GI diet is great and I hope that you find success with it. Good luck!!!!:smug:

Sounds a lot like WW Core Plan.

Actually it doesn't sound like Core at all..WW tells you not to eat bread..(I know unless you count it). GI Diet says to eat 6-7 grains a day.

Dr. Bob Arnot's Diet Revolution book uses the Glycemic Index to control weight and cravings. Excellent book.
There are others as well.
Another excellent book is the Okinawa Program by Dr. Bradley Willcox. It also uses the Glycemic Index along with a food pyramid developed by studying the elders of Okinawa--some of the longest-lived people on Earth. The November, 2005 issue of National Geographic also featured these people.

Best of Luck,
Palmtree :-)

Hi! Newbie here! I've tried WW, Atkins, SB, my mom even put me on some liquid program back in the eighties :( . After talking with family and friends that are borderline and full-on diabetics, they talked about the GI programs that they've had a lot of success with. I've ordered some books from Amazon and hope to be on-board shortly.

From what I've read, it seems to me to be more of a re-education - a lifestyle change that a lot of the other 'programs' don't seem to offer. Has anyone had any issues or problems understanding the basics?

Thanks!

that is exactally what it is Tallygirl. which is what I need,
However i find it hard to find the right stuff to eat. I know eat lots of Fruit and veggies which is no problem for me.. but i get totally scared about what bread is good the book also says you can eat pasta, and certain rice,..stay away from mash taters.(boo hoo)
I hope someone on this thread can help me figure out what i need to know ....
like what is the right portion of Pasta , rice meat..

Hey damejane. I'm following the G.I. diet. In my book, it says that you should view your plate as a pie chart. 50% should be vegetables and fruits. 25% should be protein, and 20% should be carbs. You should have 4 ounces of meat, 3/4 cup of pasta, and 2/3 of rice. My book says you should eat only stone ground whole wheat bread or a whole wheat bread that has 2-3 grams of fiber, and only one slice at a time. You should also only eat whole wheat pasta. Pasta should be a side dish, not a main feature of your meal. I hope this helps, if you need anymore information please feel free to ask.

FreshStart06 - What books are you using? I've seen other titles than the ones I've ordered and hope I didn't get the ones that are written in Greek or something!

hey tallygal1, I'm using two books by Rick Gallop. One tells you about the G.I. diet, and the other one is how to live the G.I. diet, there's a lot of recipes in it. They look pretty good, but I haven't made anything out of it yet. I know there are also other authors for the G.I. diet too, but I just purchased these two books.

thanks fresh start, i was looking for a good cook book for low gi ,
although i like the Book i have " the glucose revolution low gi eating made easy".. I find it a little vague ...on portion size and other odd and ends...I have been following the basic of the book tho which so far has proven to be great i have lost 4 pounds in a week...( not much but every little bit helps) but the big thing that i have noticed is that with each day i discover what i eat , gives me energy longer ... I use to get tired by mid day not any more ... that is a great thing that following this way of life has given me ....

oh i forgot to add, the only problem i have with this book is that fact that most of the food they list can only befound in Australia or Europe...I get some what affraid of buying simular things in our stores...because there might be a difference
anyone have any clues on how to buy the right food besides of course the obvious ones fruits and veggies..
Like what bread is good ,
which pasta
which rice ?
i look at the labels and see ...32 carbs and i put it back..
I am not a good shopper for the right foods..
And what exactly is Converted rice?

Hi Ladies, I love this website - and the variety it offers - the spice of life.

I have gleaned from another group here that it is good to eat often and regularly, so that the metabolism keep chugging along.

However, I also have found that the GI approach is the absolute best! and to help me there, apart from a book on low GI lifestyle, I also use low GI meals, shakes and bars that are supportive as well, since I am on the road a lot.
Anybody interested to hear more about that, please email me magreta@charter.net. I firmly believe that low GI is the way to go! Wish I had learned about it growing up!

I also make sure that I test my pH levels daily. If I am a little too acidic I avoid coffee and other things that increase the acidity... and vice verca......that is also very important for good cell function. Cleansing the liver on a regular basis is important too - quick, easy and inexpensive to do - again something to keep the system functioning well.
Have a great week-end,
Magreta :flow2:

damejane, my book doesn't mention anything about looking at the carbs when buying pasta, rice, bread, etc. It only tells me to buy bread that has 2-3 grams of fiber per slice. Your rice and pasta should be whole wheat. I'm enjoying the G.I. Diet so far. When I eat something that is low G.I., I find that I can go awhile without wanting to eat again. Normally, I would eat something and in an hour I'm getting very intense hungar pains. I'm not following it 100% though. I'll have an extra piece of bread or some corn (which you're not suppose to have in phase 1 of my book). However, I've also read some where that when you eat a high G.I. food with low G.I. foods, the meal in its entirety might not be considered high G.I., but I'm following it as close as possible. Tomorrow is my first weigh in, and I'm really excited.

good luck Freshstart
yesterday i bought the pocket quide to over 500 low gi foods..it has been really helpfull...i really like this way of eating .. like you i can tell when i have eaten hi gi foods
i feel my best when i have eaten lower gi foods...

Jane
-converted rice = parboiled rice Notes: This is a good compromise between nutritious brown rice and tender, fast-cooking white rice. Converted rice is steamed before it's husked, a process that causes the grains to absorb many of the nutrients from the husk. When cooked, the grains are more nutritious, firmer, and less clingy than white rice grains. Uncle Ben's is a well-known brand. Substitutes: brown rice (more nutritious, takes longer to cook) OR white rice (less nutritious, stickier, takes less time to cook)

I have been following the Low GI diet and I am amazed. I don't like to go by the first few weeks' weight loss numbers because I think we all know they are always a bit misleading. BUT, my pants fit better, I have NO cravings at all. And, well, man I just love it. I read the Glucose Revolution book and I made a list of most of the GI numbers in the book (just the stuff I would actually eat or try) I made a one page list along with a 5 small meal a day plan to get all my fiber and nutritional needs in (recommended by the book) and I also made a checklist so I can get all my portions in and at the right time. I am pretty proud of the lists I've typed up and would be happy to share them with some Low GI beginners! :)

OH! And I've also been reading the Beck Diet Solution which isn't a diet at all but a method that helps you understand your sabotaging thoughts with diets and helps with a lot of other common thought patterns when you're on a diet. It has also really helped out A LOT. I have a big problem with over eating and it has been really helpful. Just a thought!