Barb49's Journal, 05 February 2008

Snacks are great! Not only do they keep you from getting so hungry you want to gnaw your arm off (and you potentially eat more at your next meal than you otherwise would), but they help to keep your blood sugar/insulin levels moderated, and you avoid all the spikes and dips (which for me were part of the reason I was overweight to begin with). Some snack ideas: a peice of fruit, some carrot sticks, a cup of yogurt, a bran muffin (I make some on the weekend and keep in the freezer so I always have a snack on hand). Some of the books that are out explain it much better than I do, I'd seriously reccomend checking one out (I got "Living the GI Diet" by Rick Gallup...he's got some receipes in there, too, which is nice). 

I read one GI Diet book which said catagorically that there is nothing worse than an empty stomach! One of the reasons that many diets don't work is because your body goes into "famine mode" and works on a lot less calories because your system thinks you're fasting! So the answer is to eat regularly. This doesn't mean that we can "graze" all day, but a snack between your oatmeal and your lunch is essential! I have a couple of pieces of fruit, or a fistfull of almonds. Although nuts are high in fat, they are very low GI, so eat a handfull of these like you would candy! I have a bag of almonds and raisins on my desk and work my way through them all day when I get hungry. Add lots of water to the mix and you'll be in good shape. Best of luck Barb...