THE GLYCEMIC INDEX IN SHORT:

The Glycemic Index is a numerical measure from 0 to 100 of how high and how long your blood sugar will be affected after you have eaten carbohydrate foods.

All carbohydrate foods are measured relative to glucose which is absorbed quickly and is taken as 100. A Low Glycemic Index (GI) is regarded as 55 and below. Intermediate as 56 - 70, and High 71 - 100.

The World Health Organisation recommends that more than 55% of your total energy intake comes from carbohydrates, specifically those with a low GI (55 and below)... 

REASONS WHY LOW GLYCEMIC IS THE RIGHT AND PROBABLY MOST BENEFICIAL CHOICE, ALSO FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...

- Sustains Energy Levels

Glucose is the food used by the brain and muscles. Low GI foods help prevent tiredness by maintaining blood glucose levels, giving a constant flow of energy.

- Promotes a toned and muscular body

Muscle and fat depletion occurs on high protein and low carbohydrate diets. A low GI energy restricted diet will burn only fat and not muscle, resulting in a more attractive, slimmer body with better muscle definition.

- Helps reach and maintain ideal weight
 
Low GI foods are natural appetite suppressants and help keep hunger at bay, filling you up and keeping you satisfied for longer.

It also helps your body to avoid producing too much insulin to get sugar (glucose levels) stable and under control. Too much insulin stores as fat...

..."The best way to maintain ideal weight is to follow a restricted kilojoule diet, exercise regularly and eat low Glycemic Index foods."... - World Health Organisation Food and Nutritional Paper 1998.


Fineform South Africa produces a range of low GI foods. Find them on www.fineform.co.za


Excellent sources for reading more about low GI- 

The South African Glycemic Index & Load Guide
written by:
Gabi Steenkamp RD (SA) and Liesbet Delport RD(SA)

published by : GIFSA
www.gifoundation.com

Gabi Steenkamp and Liesbet Delport also has a range of beautiful, colourful, user-friendly cookbooks available with delicious, and flop-proof recipies that will impress even the most difficult and fussy children, adult family members and sophisticated guests.  The best of all is that you know you are eating healthy food!

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Children need specific nutrients to meet the demands of daily life, to grow and to develop properly and to become healthy and productive adults. Sustained energy for kids provides tasty and nutritious meals, (the children won't even realize that it's 'healthy' food, and the adults will LOVE it too!!!)

Sustained energy for Kids, written by Gabi Steenkamp, Jeske Wellman and Tanzia Merlin, is a must-have for every single household with children (or without!)

Click on the following link if you are interested in purchasing this title or similar healthy cookbooks:

http://www.kalahari.net/e-trader/referral.asp?toolbar=mweb&linkid=5&partnerid=6649&sku=29732923