Weight loss Challenge

[Amy :-)]

Awesome And I think I can help.

I can see straight away why you're getting that energy low in the afternoons. Have you heard of the Glycemic Index (GI)? Its basically a rating system of how carbohydrates affect our blood sugar. Low GI foods release sugar slowly into the bloodstream while high GI foods release it quickly. High GI foods are the ones that give us that energy boost but then leave us feeling crappy.
Low GI = 55 and below.
High GI = 70 +

Jasmine rice has a GI of 109. So you can see it has an extremely high rating. If you try Basmati rice (GI = 58) or Doongara rice (GI = 56) you'll probably find your energy will last a bit longer

In regards to your snack, almonds are a great choice of protein to have with your apple, just remember that 30g is a serve. Otherwise you could have a low-fat, low-sugar yoghurt. Its also good to have a small snack in the afternoons, just to keep you going until dinner time. Do you do that?

If its the only one you like, then thats fair enough to me

My next Healthy Food Guide snippet was going to be on the Glycemic Index, so you've already got a headstart on it

Hope this healp Tasty

[jeninwa]

I've started using brown rice and only have 1/4 cup, I have a morning and afternoon snack, 12 almonds or a rice cake with 2 tspns peanut butter, sometimes a protein bar. Keeps me going to the next meal. It makes a difference upping the protein, don't get as hungry any more.

[dede]

Yep I find I'm hungry in the afternoon too, I either go for yogurt or a home made muesli bar, or banana etc. just to keep me going till dinner

[Tasty]

Amy - Thanks so much for your help. I didn't realise there was a huge difference in GI between jasmine rice and basmati. Will change to basmati from now on as they're pretty much the same to me. Haven't heard of the other one. I think I might even try and include more brown rice in my meals now that I am learning to like it.

Jeninwa and dede - thanks for your snack suggestions. Yoghurt doesn't quite fill me up but I have been meaning to make muesli bars for weeks. I'll have todefinitely give this protein thing a go. What do you do for after dinner snacks?

[Amy :-)]

You're welcome Tasty I'll just let you ladies know though that brown rice has a GI rating of 68, so it's not high, buts it's not low either

It has been proven that a high-protein, low-GI diet is the most effective way to lose weight long term. So upping the protein is a good idea, as long as it is lean/low-fat and you don't go too overboard. The body isn't built to store protein, so consuming too much can be detrimental to your health. I'm going to post about the high-protein, low-GI "diet" soon, when I get all the information together for you

I'll also post some more healthy snack ideas if anyone is interested, and I'll include how many kilojoules they contain so you know exactly how much you're eating. Then you can see the difference in kilojoules between some foods. Its quite amazing

I have heaps of these magazines and they have mountains of information in them, so if anyone else has something specific they'd like to know, just give me a shout

[DizzyGirl]

I always choose low gi foods. It is better for my thyroid and PCOS. I choose sweet potato over normal potato.

I have a diabetes cookbook with lots of low gi recipes in it. Will post them when I get time. Also taste.com.au  has some low gi recipes.

[Amy :-)]

I have a diabetes cookbook with lots of low gi recipes in it.

Which cookbook do you have DG? We have a few because my step-father has type 1 diabetes.

[DizzyGirl]

Amy, I will have a look when I get home tonight.

[Amy :-)]

Cool bananas, thanks DG

[cooking-good-looking]

Yah! 700g loss this week. 100g last week that is total of 800g. Happy with anything as long as it is a loss!

[Amy :-)]

Great work CGL!!! Well done

[dede]

Well done CGL, bet your over the moon with that.

[Tasty]

Well done CGL

I think it's helping me having you guys for support, ideas and to be accountable to. Thanks for starting the thread Mandi

[Delightful Den]

Great work CGL 

[dede]

I'm glad I started this thread and that you guys joined me. Does keep me motivated too.
So thank you guys for joining me