Practical hints for living the low GI diet

The intention of the GI diet is that it does not feel like dieting so you can maintain it for longer. Here are some practical hints for putting together low GI meals.

Staples

One of the problems with diets like the Atkins diet was the denial of stables. Meat just tastes so much better with carbs. But on the low GI diet no such sacrifices are necessary. Pasta, sweet potatoes, white long-grain rice and high soy and linseed breads are three low GI staples you can eat with any meal.

White pasta made from durum wheat or wholemeal pastas are excellent for quick, easy meals. Try mixing it with bacon, tinned tomatoes, peas, herbs and seasoning for a meal in minutes. See low GI pasta recipe.

Generally speaking potatoes should be avoided on the low GI diet, but sweet potatoes are fine, which is great as they taste so good! Roast them for 40 minutes in the oven and serve them with a low GI sauce like heated chickpeas, tinned tomatoes and frozen spinach.

White long-grain rice that requires boiling for 15 minutes or so is the best choice for low GI. Next best is basmati Avoid glutinous or instant rice's as these tend to have GI's off the scale. This can be served nicely with a chicken and vegetable stir fry.

Snacks

The purpose of the low GI diet is that you feel less hungry so you want to snack less. However for those times when you feel a little peckish between meals here are a few things you can nibble in moderation:

Dried apples, apricots and prunes are all low GI.

Low fat banana smoothies.

A bowl of All-Bran.

A slice of plain unfilled sponge cake.

Reduced sugar chocolate. But watch the fat content.

Semi-skimmed milk.

A small quantity of unsalted nuts.