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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

GI Diet -The rules

26 replies

GingerBearingGifts · 27/12/2005 15:24

Puff, you wonerful, inspirational sylph-like GI Guru, could you possibly lay down the basics of GI here for me and any others who want to embark on a GI diet in the New Year. I have AW-T's book, and know that wholemeal pasta/brown rice are good. Sweet pots better than white, and whole fruit better than juice.
Any other things we should know?

OP posts:
Blandmum · 27/12/2005 15:28

More unprecessed the better, so whole grain over processed

GingerBearingGifts · 27/12/2005 20:11

hello Puff, are you there?

OP posts:
christmasdinnyer · 27/12/2005 20:12

yes yes yes - I am going to be strict this coming year! have you read the Glycaemic Load by Paul Denby (I think)? It's really really good.

mancmum · 27/12/2005 20:13

no white flour, sugar or rice...

Blandmum · 27/12/2005 20:13

You can have white rice, but only a very small portion.

Eaney · 27/12/2005 20:46

OK I have a few questions. I loosely followed the GI principal while trying to loose weight and also watched the calories. I think the reason GI works is cos you feel full for longer so it's easier to eat less. Well I got a bit bored with porridge so I had Cornflakes which I know are not ideal but I felt full for as long and somedays even longer than when I had porridge. I found that toast (even brown) toast didn't fill me up for nearly as long as Porridge or cornflakes.

My question is do you have to be rigid or is your own 'fullometer' enough especially if you are counting calories.

BTW I have lost weight and am into my pre pregnancy clothes so I am happy with how it worked but I have slid a little and will probably start again in Jan. I just get a bit fed up with cooking 4 meal (DS has allergies, DD is a baby, DP is fussy and I am trying to loose weight AAAGH).

puffoeufnog · 27/12/2005 21:43

Only just seen this - sorry - am having a late meal (been to gym) - will be back in a bit.

Saker · 27/12/2005 21:54

There is some info here .

puffoeufnog · 27/12/2005 22:33

Other posters have outlined most of the guidelines and Saker's link to Rick Gallop is always useful.

I try to avoid anything made from white flour because this is v refined and raises the GI of anything containing it. It's been a good rule to try to stick to because it rules out a lot of high fat foods too eg cakes, biscuits etc.

Basmati and brown rice are ok, ordinary white rice should be avoided.

New potatoes and sweet potatoes are ok, other types need avoiding.

Bread I personally try to avoid completely. There are some great oatcakes by "Nairn" that I buy which have replaced bread for me. However, stoneground wholemeal bread is ok, as is pumpernickel which is a bit of an acquired taste.

Staples in my diet now are pearl barley, lentils and beans which I use to bulk out soups, casseroles etc.

Pasta, particularly wholemeal is ok.

Porridge - fab.

Rick Gallop recommends eating some protein at every meal because it helps you feel fuller for longer - I have mostly stuck with this rule.

He also has a picture in one of his books with a plate showing what a GI lunch or dinner should ideally consist of - 50% vegetables, 25% meat/protein and 25% rice/potatoes/pasta. This is a good guide for portion control and another rule I have tried to follow.

Best books (IMO):

Helen Forster - Easy GI Diet

Anthony Worral Thompson - GI Diet

I eat a lot of fruit - particularly apples, peaches and pears because I can just grab them and eat them with minimum fuss.

GingerBearingGifts · 28/12/2005 13:44

brilliant advice Puff, thank you. I have AWT's book already, will look at Rick Gallop's too.
The advice on proportions is very much like the old WW rules(6ish years ago since I did WW).

OP posts:
GingerBearingGifts · 28/12/2005 13:48

I have made up a huge tub of AWT's museli and have been having this and porridge on alternate days.
Lunches (started today) have been homemade veg soup with lots of beans - kidney, bortolli etc with a slice of wholemeal bread.

I am stumped for supper - I have risotto rice (white), Thai Jasmine rice and potatoes. There is some wholemeal spagetti in the cupboard, but I had that for lunch yesterday!
My problem is DH - he hates brown rice, but DD and I like it.

OP posts:
puffoeufnog · 28/12/2005 14:36

could you do a separate portion of rice for him?

christmasdinnyer · 28/12/2005 20:41

do ALL men hate brown rice? so annoying, dh won't touch it but we all love it.

Gingerbear · 28/12/2005 20:42

lol, DH cooked this evening, one half of rice steamer thai rice, the other brown rice!

christmasdinnyer · 28/12/2005 20:43

lol, Ginger....typical!

has anyone read that Nigel Denby book?

Caligyulea · 28/12/2005 20:57

One tip: I got a bit sick of pulses when I tried AWT's. Am now about to re-start it with another version and am going to restrict pulses to three or four days a week maximum so as not to bore myself. It did put me off last time.

Can someone tell me what instant porridge is? My book says don't use that, use traditional, but I'm not sure whether mine is instant or trad - it takes about 5 or 7 mins to cook with water - is that instant?

puff · 28/12/2005 21:06

what's the brand name caligula?

christmasdinnyer · 28/12/2005 21:09

Instant porridge is that Oatso Simple...? Or something like that. Normal porridge oats are the ones to use.

Caligyulea · 28/12/2005 21:09

It's Morrison's own brand, but it doesn't say instant on it.

What's oatso simple?

christmasdinnyer · 28/12/2005 21:11

it's the one where you just add milk, and it's ready with no stirring (I think!)

if it's just oats then it's OK.

puff · 28/12/2005 21:11

If the oats are big flakes it should be ok. If it doesn't say instant on it, should be fine. My porridge takes 4 mins in the microwave.

Gingerbear · 28/12/2005 21:14

, I know what you mean Caligula re: pulses. I could power a hot air balloon at the moment!

puff · 28/12/2005 21:16

lol, yes, the pulses need managing carefully

Saker · 28/12/2005 22:07

Christmasdinnyer I have skimmed the Nigel Denby book. I didn't find it particularly different from the GI diet. I have also read the Patrick Holford one and that is quite different - see the other thread. Interestingly Patrick Holford recommends a daily GL of about half Nigel Denby. I don't know how either of them determine that.

Gingerbear · 28/12/2005 22:08

Manage carefully, otherwise they become a Parp topic?