Glycemic Index Interview

Best-selling author Dr. Shari Lieberman has some interesting insight on the glycemic index lifestyle that she kindly shares with readers of LoveToKnow Diet in the following glycemic index interview. According to Dr. Lieberman, choosing foods based on their glycemic index is the best way to lose weight, lower cholesterol and combat cardiovascular disease. Transitions Lifestyle System Glycemic Index Food Guide is a handy new book written by Dr. Shari Lieberman that will aid anyone who wants to control their diet through proper nutrition.

Meet Dr. Shari Lieberman

Dr. Lieberman has written numerous books on the subject of nutrition based on her over 20 years of private practice as a clinical nutritionist. She has her Ph.D. in Clinical Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and an M.S. Degree in Nutrition, Food Science and Dietetics as well as several other prominent distinctions. A frequently seen expert on many television and radio shows, Dr. Lieberman is a recognized authority on diet and health issues.

The Glycemic Index Interview

Understanding the Glycemic Index

In her book, Dr. Lieberman explains that the gylcemic index is not low carb dieting. Rather, it is a ranking system of foods that contain carbohydrates. Originally created by Dr. David J. Jenkins and his research team in 1981, the glycemic index, or GI, was used to help diabetic patients control their blood sugar by understanding how quickly their food triggered a rise in blood sugar.

Foods that rank a low GI break down slowly, resulting in a gradual rise in blood sugar. Higher ranking foods break down faster with a more rapid rise in blood sugar. This results in a surge of blood glucose as well as a surge in insulin which is a problem for diabetics.

Dr. Lieberman points out that regular consumption of foods that are high on the GI scale can lead to many serious health issues. In addition to type II diabetes and insulin resistance, cancer, obesity and cardiovascular disease are risks as well.

A low GI diet can help with such issues as weight control, blood cholesterol levels and even fatigue. You don’t have to be diabetic to benefit from consuming low GI foods.

No Calorie Counting

Best-selling author Dr. Shari Lieberman

A low GI diet isn’t a diet where you need to count calories. Dr. Lieberman explains, “If calorie restriction worked we wouldn’t have 65 percent of our population overweight or obese; we wouldn’t have 20 to 30 percent of our children overweight or obese.”

She goes on to explain that the United States is the only country in the world that doesn’t recognize the glycemic index, even though it has been proven by the highest standards of research that the GI is the best way to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease and to control weight.

According to Dr. Lieberman, the reason for this is largely marketing and money. Organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association sell the use of their logo. If they embraced the use of the glycemic index they would have to take back the rights to use their logo from many foods, thus losing revenue.

“I want my health dictated by science, not by industry,” says Dr. Lieberman. Health conscious consumers will likely agree with her.

Not Low Carb

Low carb doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. Dr. Lieberman illustrates: “Atkins basically obliterated all carbs from the diet. That’s not low glycemic index. Dr. Barry Sears tried to lower the glycemic index by putting olive oil on everything. You don’t want to increase fat in order to lower glycemic index.”

She continues to say that it is necessary to use common sense. Some foods may be listed as low GI that are not necessarily healthy foods. The glycemic index isn’t perfect; however, it has consistently been shown to be the best way to eat right and improve your health and overall well-being.

Dr. Lieberman explains, “There’s some intelligence to this…when you see pound cake listed (as low GI) you think ‘I can eat pound cake’. Well the reason it’s called pound cake is that it has a pound of butter!”

Summary

If you are ready to take charge of your health, check out Transitions Lifestyle System Glycemic Index Food Guide by Dr. Shari Lieberman. You will quickly see the difference through increased energy within a week of following the GI diet. LoveToKnow Diet would like to thank Dr. Lieberman for sharing her insight in this interview..