Weight loss and weight management have become priorities for more than 100 million overweight and obese Americans, many of whom have chosen a low-carb approach to lose weight.  Consumers receive mixed and often contradictory messages from the media and manufacturers about the merits of low-carb diets.  However, a strong consensus is emerging in the scientific community that low glycemic foods, with a focus on complex carbohydrates, present a sound foundation for sustained weight management and life-long health. These “better-for-you” carbs will play an important role in the next wave of the multi-billion dollar low-carb diet revolution.

Not all carbohydrates are created equally.  They vary greatly in their rate of digestion, absorption and effects on blood glucose and insulin levels.  The Glycemic Index (GI) was developed as a scientific ranking of how much and how fast certain foods cause blood sugar to rise; lower and slower is better.  The carbohydrate type, nutritional quality, and level of processing influence the Glycemic Index measurement.  The second component of low glycemic nutrition is Glycemic Load (GL), which is the amount of carbohydrate multiplied by its GI, representing the quantity of GI food consumed.

Health benefits of low glycemic nutrition are achieved by eating low GI foods in portion control (low GL). For this reason, low glycemic carb bars are the ideal choice to help consumers transition from “net carbs” to “better-for-you” low glycemic carbs.  Low glycemic carb bars are portion and calorie controlled, delivering the right glycemic load without sacrificing taste and convenience. For more information regarding the advantages of low glycemic nutrition, please visit www.solo-gi.com.

Low glycemic products containing complex “better-for-you” carbs, such as high viscosity soluble fiber, are preferred over products containing sugar alcohols and high fructose corn syrup.  Low glycemic carbs are ideal for weight management and support a healthy lifestyle because they provide:

• Hunger satisfaction, as they are digested slower and make you feel full longer
• Less calorie intake, as they prevent the peak, crash and craving that causes you to reach for more food
• Sustained energy to get you through the day, as they allow for a gradual release of sugar into the bloodstream
• Health benefits, as they help balance blood sugar linked to insulin sensitivity, heart health and digestive health

Popular diet programs now recommend the use of low glycemic products for Low-Carbers to reintroduce carbohydrates into their diets. Low glycemic carbs are the natural and healthy evolution of the low-carb lifestyle.

Branka Barl, PhD, is chief scientist for New Era Nutrition Inc. leading R&D in low glycemic nutrition and health. Barl has over 20 years of experience in research and analysis of natural health compounds. She can be reached at 780-423-4551 and via e-mail at branka.barl@nutritech.com; webiste: www.nutritech.com.