The Low GI Diet & Low GI Eating Made Easy (book review)

THE LOW GI DIET by Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell and Joanna McMillan-Price. LOW GI EATING MADE EASY by Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell and Philippa Sandall (Hodder)

These days it seems like everyone is on some sort of diet and carbohydrates are being billed as the evil fat-causing gremlins of the food world.

A good number of those trying to drop a bit of weight have had a crack at the incredibly restrictive low-carb regimen known as the Atkins diet. While some have had success with this plan there are concerns about the long-term health of Atkins dieters.  

Carbohydrates are sugars and starches and have always been categorised into two groups: simple, such as the sugar you’ll find in a piece of chocolate, and the complex variety found in a slice of rye bread.

However, the good-carb eating plan outlined in The Low GI Diet ignores the simple and complex tags. Instead, foods and carbs are measured by how fast they hit the blood stream. This tells us the glycemic index (GI) rating of the food in question.

Foods with a high GI value have carbs that cause a dramatic rise in blood glucose levels, while those with a lower GI value have much less impact. The low GI plan focuses on slowly digested foods that keep your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day, avoiding the highs and lows that traditionally make dieters feel tired and hungry.

The book contains a 12-week action plan that outlines what to do, from exercise to eating.

The ideal companion piece to this book is Low GI Eating Made Easy. This handbook explains how to make the low GI diet work for all situations. It offers advice on small steps that can be taken to transform your diet and includes a detailed list of the top 100 low GI foods.

32 Responses to “The Low GI Diet & Low GI Eating Made Easy (book review)”

  1. Kim B Says:

    Have you actually read the book?? This is NOT the Atkins diet. This NOT about low or no carbs as the Atkins diet is. This is about eating complex carbs, rather than highly refined processed carbs. It is NOT anti carb at all, it is PRO CARB, just we need to choose the right kind of carb. I have lost over 8 kgs in a two months using the low GI appraoch in this book, plus 4x a week cardio and strength training at the gym. Low GI carbs (I love my carbs..!) are very satsifying and filling for me, wholegrain bread, rolled oats etc with a serve of protein for both lunch and dinner. I am never hungry. I eat the amount as directed by the heart foundation and diabetes people. It is not hard with low GI. I am astounded you seem to think this is an Atkins diet?! I would not dream of eating an Atkins diet. No carbs mean grumpiness,no enrgy and lack of focus,plus depression.You NEED carbs, the right carbs. The naswer is cardio, strength trianing, potion control and low GI. Working well for me anyway

  2. George Says:

    Hi Kim, first of all: congratulations and well done on your healthy living choices. And yes, I have actually read the book. However, I suspect you may have skimmed my review because you appear to have missed my point: I know this isn’t the Atkins Diet, I know this isn’t a no-carbs diet. What it is, is a good-carbs diet. I say exactly that at the start of the fourth paragraph.

  3. Atkins Diet Problems Says:

    As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you

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  19. Lisa Says:

    What are your top 5 tastiest food that can be considered for people who are on weight losing diet. Name food that have almost no fat and very little calories.

  20. Julie Collins Says:

    Great post and comments. when it comes to health it seems to me old fashioned and natural is best. Balance is what is needed. Carbs, good fats, protein, fruit, vegitables, water, exercise and rest!

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  26. Mia Johnson Says:

    Atkins Diet have helped me a lot to maintain a very good physique. My mom is also on an Atkins Diet. :

  27. Lucas Watson Says:

    Low Carb diet is really the best diet if you want to reduce weight and also to maintain a healthy body.:`.

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  29. Connor Bell Says:

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  31.  Fire Grate Says:

    Low carb diets are good for the health, less calories mean less free radicals~;~

  32. Susie Mccleskey Says:

    I’d eat carbs about an hour or 2 before lifting for the energy. I’d take the protein after the workout, because of the Window of opportunity. That’s when the protein will be help the most in repairing your muscles.

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