Sugar Sugar

Reducing your sugar intake is crucial to losing weight, because of its high Glycemic Index. It’s where the whole low-carb diet craze came from, because the majority of heavily processed carbs tend to have a high GI. But don’t throw out every carb in your kitchen and start ordering an endless parade of salads right away. Read on to see how reducing your sugar intake is as essential to losing weight as the Pink Patch.

Your Glycemic Index regulates your body’s ability to process sugars and build muscle. It’s the answer to the question, “Why did I eat that frosted cupcake?” When your Glycemic Index is low, you stay away from bad sugars, and your body uses stored up sugar to give you energy.

Believe it or not, sugars are the key to building muscle – sugars with a low Glycemic Index. Your body will need carbohydrates to have the energy to build muscle. Whole grains have a low Glycemic Index, as opposed to processed carbohydrates, such as croissants. Numerous studies have shown that not only do low Glycemic Index foods keep you satisfied for longer periods of time, they help stave off cravings.

But even better: maintaining a low Glycemic Index is key to losing weight because your body starts processing stored sugar and converting it into energy.

So you can have carbs – just look for carbs with a high fiber content, made from whole grain or bran. Remember to eat them in small servings, and try to include a protein at the same time, such as low-fat yogurt or cheese, or lean turkey or roast beef.