Using a low Glycemic Index (GI) for preparing meals is far simpler than you think. The methodology behind this is simply creating recipes that minimize the use of sweeteners and GI foods that have a high count. However included in low GI recipes are a variety of foods that have a low GI which ensures optimum nutrition. A well organized GI plan will improve your energy levels as well as help you shed those extra pounds.
For instance a breakfast could include oats topped with low GI yoghurt and some fresh fruit. One could also include an omelet with added ingredients such as tomato, onion, green peppers and ham. There are several other really fantastic recipes one could use for a hearty breakfast. Lunch should be the main meal of the day and you can have meat, as well as cooked vegetable and a fruit salad for desert. Again there are several delicious recipes to choose from that are specially designed with a low GI.
For dinner one should always have a light meal, as this is far easier to digest. A slice of baked fish and a salad is ideal. The most important thing to remember is to balance the carbohydrates. In addition one should also have snacks in between meals, for instance a snack at 10a.m. which can be low GI food items such as dried fruit, nuts, crackers and cheese. Another snack at 3.p.m. as well as 8p.m. this will keep your blood sugars stable.
To increase flavor and variety to your low GI recipes you can add celery, endives, cucumber, mushrooms, olives, hot peppers, parsley, radish, scallions, watercress and tomatillos. You can also use most of the green leafy herbs such as dill, thyme, chives and basil which are great in salads and will not affect your GI count. There are several websites that provide delicious GI recipes and a really good book is “Living the GI Diet” by Rick Gallop’s. Many visitors and readers share recipes online as well.
Here is a low Glycemic recipe which can stimulate the appetite:
Oatmeal Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat Flour
3/4 cup of Scottish Oatmeal
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 and 1/2 cups of buttermilk
2 large eggs beaten
1/4 cup of melted butter
Method:
Mix the dry ingredients such as the oatmeal and flour, baking soda and salt. Add the buttermilk, melted butter and beaten eggs. Mix all the ingredients until smooth. You can add some more buttermilk if the mixture is too thick. Keep aside the mixture for half an hour. Heat a pan with a little melted butter and spoon the mixture into the hot pan.
As you can see low GI recipes are far from boring and this pancake recipe is really delicious and can also be used for breakfast. There are wonderful recipes such as Japanese vegetable salads and grilled tofu with cold spicy noodles and many more wonderful recipes.