Basic Pursuits

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a study that found that eating a low-glycemic-index diet and a high-glycemic-index diet made no difference in body weight decrease.

Conclusions: This study does not support the contention that low-fat LGI diets are more beneficial than HGI diets with regard to appetite or body-weight regulation as evaluated over 10 wk. However, it confirms previous findings of a beneficial effect of LGI diets on risk factors for ischemic heart disease.

I disagree with this outcome(the appetite and body-weight part) for one simple reason: This has not been my experience.

I practiced vegitarianism for a number of years. It seemed the only way I could keep from being hungry all the time was to eat massive quantities of bread and rice. They were the only readily available foods that filled me up. I gained weight and eventually topped out at the highest weight of my life, 185 lbs. I now weigh about 152 lbs.

Now I eat a balanced diet that includes all the nutrients recommended in the FDA data base. It consists of about 25 percent protein, 25 percent fat and the rest carbohydrates. I avoid crap carbs like white bread and sugar.

I feel better, have more energy and have just normal hunger that occurs prior to meals.

Frankly, if you keep your calories at a healthy level (in my opinion, slightly below that which fuels your present lifestyle), it doesn't matter where on the glycemic index you eat. EXCEPT if you eat really crap carbs, you will not be able to get the nutrition that you need and still keep your calories at a healthy level. And I will be hungrier. Maybe it's just psychological, but I will be hungrier.

Pass the chicken.

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