GI Point Diet

The focus of the GI Point Diet plan is creating a diet that is made up of mostly foods that are low on the Glycemic Index (GI), which is what gives it its name, the GI Point Diet.


As a low glycemic diet it focuses on keeping the blood sugar level to control hunger and increase fat burning. It also encourages a low fat, low calorie diet for weight loss.



Type - Glycaemic Index

Are special products required? - No

Is eating out possible? - Yes

Is the plan family friendly? - Yes

Do you have to buy a book? - Yes

Is the diet easy to maintain? - Yes



So how does it work?...

The backbone of the diet plan is it's point system. It assigns a certain number of points called GiP’s to each food which is determined by the glycemic index and the calorie content of the food.


Instead of only focusing on one aspect or the other of the food, this diet plan seeks to look at both. The GiP’s are laid out in tables for easy reference.


The authors claim that this diet will restrict calories but still leave you feeling full mainly by encouraging large portions of vegetables and low portions of fat and sugars.


Portion sizes are also controlled in the GI Point Diet. This combination of factors is supposed to increase weight loss.


The Diet Plan...

The program is divided into three phases, the “start it” phase, the “lose it” phase, and the “keep it” phase.


The “start it” phase is supposed to act like a jump start to your dieting efforts by getting your body used to the dieting that is to follow. This first phase lasts two weeks.


The second phase lasts until you reach your weight goal, at which point you switch to the “keep it” phase which supposedly maintains all of the weight loss you’ve achieved.


In theory you’d stay in the “keep it” phase indefinitely.


The GI Point Diet tries to keep it simple to understand by giving you a number of GiP’s for the day which varies depending on which phase you are in.


For example, in the “start it” phase, men are allowed 22 GiP’s and in the “lose it” stage they are allowed 25 GiP’s. Three balanced meals each day are advised with many recipes and menu plans available in the GI Point Diet book.


The plan also encourages daily exercise.


You are also allowed unlimited vegetables which is to keep you feeling full on this low fat and low glycemic diet. Unlimited diet soda and other calorie-free beverages can also help dieters feel full.


Interestingly, alcohol is also allowed, but in limited quantities.


Is it good for you?...

The program advocates a fairly balanced and healthy diet that will result in weight loss for people who are able to stick to it.


Additionally, the focus on restricting foods that are high on the glycemic index may help protect against diabetes and heart disease.


The diet is complicated however, involving a point system requiring lists, tables, and counts to be carried around and maintained all day.


Many people may have troubles adhering to the plan due to its complexity or the hunger from the low calorie phases of the GI Point Diet.


Example Day...

Breakfast
• Tomato juice cocktail
• A bowl of bran flakes with semi skimmed milk

Lunch
• A bowl or mug of cream of tomato soup
• Greek salad (feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumber and onion) with oil free dressing
• Sugar free jelly and strawberries

Dinner
• Stir fried ginger chicken and vegetables
• Basmati rice
• Grapes

Snacks
• Fresh or dried fruit, biscuits


Return to Low Glycemic Diets Homepage

Return to Diet Plans Homepage