Seems like the more I read the more confused I become. I've been reading about Low GI diets. I thought that low GI diets were in essence low carb diets. but it seem that they consider beans a staple. In the meal plans I've been reading, they have beans of some kind every day.

How do you feel about beans? Do you eat them? Doy you limit them Do you stay away from them like sugar?
I hate to be confused about things. I like things to be either black or white I know some of you are pros at the LC WOE, so I decided to ask the experts!!!

You ask an important question, grasshopper.


I think the decision about beans has to be made based on you. You have to know:

1.)how many grams of carb you feel you can eat for each meal or day

2.)how your body reacts- do you get sugar cravings after eating them, do they leave you feeling hungry?

Given that, 1/3 c. beans is about 12g carbs, 1/2 c. is about 20g. (black beans, kidney beans, garbanzos: not the sweetened baked beans). They are low on the glycemic index and have high fiber, so many people tolerate them well. Certainly on a 20-30g. Induction beans are too much to start out. But in a 40-60g a day plan like the later stages of Protein power you'd be fine.

I find I can eat them in chili that is mostly meat and vegetables. Just be sure you are counting in the carbs in your daily total. Or you can just make chili without beans.

I like a moroccan bean stew that is made with chick peas and ground turkey, and DH loves black bean and turkey chili- it freezes well, and I take it to work for lunch.


I guess this is a similar issue as eating other "healthy" carb foods such as sweet potato or whole oatmeal or corn or fruit for that matter. Sugar Busters allows 100%whole wheat, like triscuits. I can't stop at a few. And I love oatmeal, but I know I'll be hungry in 2 hours and need to plan on some cottage cheese with it or for a snack after.

You have to see where you are, and be VERY sure to measure your portions and count the carbs in your daily total.

anybody else?
dottie:apple:

I think you covered it! The only thing I can add is that if I do splurge and enjoy the beans, it's my carb choice for the day. This doesn't happen often tho as my tummy definately doesn't appreciate my choice in carbs!



J

My niece; Sarah, and I are on a modified low glycemic index diet and we eat lotsa beans. We eat barley too. Lots of stuff, really. We don't eat white bread, white pasta or white flour or sugar. We limit servings of pasta to 1/4 of the plate, the other 1/4 being meat and the other half being low gi vegetables. I'm down a grand total of 18 pounds and I'm not even trying really hard. *life is good*

the wls view: beans add extra protein to things like salads and soups, and some much-needed fiber as well. so, old alvin can eat them.

as for the traditional low carb woe, i have no clue!!!! but these ladies sure do.

Hi,
I'm a newbie, following the Schwarzbein Principle.

I eat 15g of carbs at each meal, included with proteins, fats, and non-starchy veggies. Occasionally I'll use beans as my carbs, eating 1/3 - 1/2 cup of them to get my 15g.

I don't really know anything about low GI eating plans, sorry!

beans beans they are good for your hear the more you eat the more you ... OOOHHHH you were serious!!!

i do eat them but in moderation. i try for the bean salads and eat only a regular portions of them. they are considered low glycemic which means that teh insulin spike is slowed so it does not have as much as an effect on your body, but from what i read it still releases the same amount of insulin as if it was released in one lump sum. so my preference is to avoid it but it is cnsidered the lesser of the evils.