Low glycemic load plan

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nutmegmike1980
nutmegmike1980 Posts: 3 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I recently started following a low glycemic lifestyle, based on my doctors suggestion, and have lost 17 lbs in 1 month! I didn’t count 1 calorie, but rather ate foods that have a very minimal impact on my insulin spiking which causes fat to be stored.

I find this to be easier to follow than Atkins or Keto, as there are more foods I can eat from that are not forbidden.

Has anyone had success following a low glycemic index/load plan? I sometimes think of counting calories but with counting calories I feel since nothing is forbidden,my chances of spiking my insulin will increase dramatically along with cravings.

Replies

  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,568 Member
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    First of all congratulations to your weightloss.

    But there's a but here: Insuline doesn't cause fat to be stored. Eating too much does, and there it doesn't matter if you eat too much carbs, protein or fats. The reverse is true as well: eating too little leads to energy being used from fat and muscles stores.

    You didn't write how heavy you are, but 17lbs in one month is massive. It's good that a substantial part of that is likely water weight. You just wrote you ate less food with high glycemic index. That's mostly carbohydrates. Carbs lead to an increase in water weight, eating less carbs results in less water being stored, and hence an initial high drop in water weight (thus not fat). If this was all fat then you'd had a calorie deficit of 30*3500 = 59500 calories in that one month, or nearly 2000 calories per day. If your maintenance calories are around 4000, and you ate 2000 then that would potentially be possible, but I'm a bit doubtful.
  • nutmegmike1980
    nutmegmike1980 Posts: 3 Member
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    My starting weight was 442, currently 425. I am pretty sure I’m eating less each day without counting as I’m fuller longer after each meal. I posted this below regarding what I found about insulin.

    “Insulin plays several essential roles in the body. It regulates blood glucose levels, promotes fat storage, and even help breaks down fats and protein. However, excess insulin, due to insulin resistance or taking diabetes medication, can lead to weight gain.”
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,091 Member
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    Could you cite the source for that quoted statement please.
  • horsewishr
    horsewishr Posts: 3 Member
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    Nutmeg Mike is correct. Insulin is an anabolic hormone and it does promote fat storage. That said, if you’re not eating excess calories, you’re not going to gain body fat. Insulin just helps your body be more EFFICIENT at storing calories as fat. Horsewishr, RN/CDE (Certifies Diabetes Care and Education Specialist)
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,091 Member
    edited April 2022
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    horsewishr wrote: »
    That said, if you’re not eating excess calories, you’re not going to gain body fat.

    Above is the bottom line.

    You don't need to be any kind of specialist to know that.

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