Low GI - are calories still important

geeky1
geeky1 Posts: 142
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello,
I am trying to get my head around the low GI eating plan and wanted to know whether you still count the calories of all you consume?
Is it a case of counting cals, while choosing low GI foods?
How does the GI get factored in?

Replies

  • puggleperson
    puggleperson Posts: 740 Member
    Bump :)
  • nextrightthing
    nextrightthing Posts: 408 Member
    This is what I think but I could be wrong. I think eating low GI really helps with cravings and gives you a more balanced eating.....healthier, fresher foods. Whatever you do though I have found that calories are what really matters. I just didn't want to count them and fought the idea for years that counting calories was that important. I tried all the other methods and the truth is the only thing that has worked for me is counting calories and doing that on MFP just isn't that painful.
  • RoanneRed
    RoanneRed Posts: 429 Member
    Keep counting calories, choose Low-GI when you are planning Carbs in particular. Low-GI is all about how food affects your blood sugar levels and triggers insulin, originally designed to help with diabetes it helps avoid sugar rushes followed by crashes where you crave more sugar.
  • M12e31g
    M12e31g Posts: 38
    Just finished reading "The G.I. Diet" today. I believe it's more about moderation that calorie counting.

    For me, this seems hard to believe that such a plan could work. Promoting diet soda and processed foods over natural ones? And the whole pasta thing really threw me for a loop too. Can't decide if I want to try it, or stick with my version of clean eating.
  • janegeno
    janegeno Posts: 37 Member
    I imagine an 18 ounce (standard size) package of oreos. I could probably eat that while watching an episode of Glee. Then I try to imagine eating an 18 ounce steak. That would take real effort and dedication, perhaps the promise of a free t-shirt and my picture on a beefeaters wall of fame or something.

    While it is often more difficult to bust a calorie goal gorging on low GI foods as opposed to high GI foods calorie counting is still important, I think, especially if there is a significant amount of weight to be lost.
  • CARNAT22
    CARNAT22 Posts: 764 Member
    I followed a low GI plan back in 2006 and I didn't count calories as much as I do here.

    Low GI is all about regulating your blood sugar levels by eating little and often - and of course eating low GI foods (food which release energy slowly and steadily) the premise being that you will never "crave" food as you never go for prolonged periods without eating and never eat anything that gives you a spike (AKA sugar rush). You always feel contentedly full up, never hungry and never stuffed.

    Even to this day I still follow some low GI principles.
    * I drink lots of water
    * I try to have my carbs wholemeal or brown (so any bread / rice / pasta I have will be wholemeal)
    * Limit my intake of convenience food
    * No takeaways
    * Very little refined sugar [while properly following low GI the sweetest thing I used to eat would be fruit!]
    * Limit alcohol
    * I have a healthy snack Mid morning and Mid afternoon.
    * Lots of salad and veg

    I lost 41lbs following low GI.

    I haven't gone back to it 100% though - I kind of like having some sweet things in my diet now - eeeek!
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