Low GI foods

GI has brought about a revolution in the way we look at carbohydrates. Simple sugars and complex carbohydrates are yesterday's news; these days it's all about the glycaemic index (a number between 1 and 100 used to classify foods according to how quickly they are released into the blood as sugar). The higher the GI, the faster sugar is released into the bloodstream - and the more likely it will be stored as fat. The lower the GI index, the slower the sugar is broken down - and the better for your waistline. 

Make sure your diet includes low GI foods: green vegetables, pulses, wholegrain cereals, soya, fruits of the forest, nuts, dark chocolate, eggs, fish, fructose, cottage cheese and meat.

Reduce your intake of high GI foods: biscuits, crisps, cakes, white bread, breakfast cereal, chips, mash, fizzy drinks, sugar and white rice.

Note: The GI index varies according to how you cook and season your food. It's best to cook al dente, mix carbs with vegetables and use acidic vinegar or lemon-based dressings.