More Good News for Weight Loss – Shakeology Is Certified with a Low Glycemic Index Rating of 24
Shakeology was recently tested at the Glycemic Index Laboratories to determine where it rates on the Glycemic Index (GI). It came in lower than most fruits with a rating of 24. What is the significance of a low GI rating?
I first heard of the Glycemic Index when the South Beach Diet first came out. For some reason, the Glycemic Index actually made sense to me. That was in the early ’80s and when my eating habits actually started to change.
Obesity and health problems caused by diet and weight prevail in my family. That is true for most American families these days and why I partner with Team Beachbody to fight obesity with Beachbody workout dvd programs and balanced, healthy eating plans.
The Glycemic Index is a scale that measures the increase in blood sugar levels as a particular carbohydrate is processed in your body. The higher the number, the faster the rise in blood sugar.
Not all carbohydrate foods are created equal, in fact they behave quite differently in our bodies. The glycemic index or GI describes this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs – the ones that produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin levels – is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss.
Eating a lot of high Glycemic Index foods can be detrimental to your health because it pushes your body to extremes. This is especially true if you are overweight and sedentary. Switching to eating mainly low GI carbs that slowly trickle glucose into your blood stream keeps your energy levels balanced and means you will feel fuller for longer between meals.
According to Steve Edwards, Beachbody’s nutrition expert, eating high Glycemic Index foods triggers a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin levels which can have a negative impact on your health. In fact, it encourages your body to store fat! It creates a cycle of hunger pangs and feelings of being unsatisified. It can cause an energy crash which leads to irritation and fatigue. And, it can lead to high blood pressure, fluid retention, and diabetes.
Conversely, www.glycemicindex.com lists the following benefits from eating low GI foods:
- Helps lose and manage weight
- Increases sensitivity to insulin
- Improves Diabetes management
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Improves blood cholesterol levels
- Reduces hunger
- Prolongs physical endurance
So, what is a good score? The scale is divided into three segments. Low GI foods have scores of 55 or less. Medium GI foods have a score of 56-69 and high GI foods have a score of 70 or more.
I grew up on Corn Flakes, white bread, white rice, and russet potatoes. All of these favorites rank high on the Glycemic Index scale! As I learned about nutrition, I started eating foods such as whole wheat, quick oats, and couscous…improvements, but still only in the medium range. Today, I eat a lot of fruit and try to stay away from as much processed food as possible.
Over the last year, I have also add Shakeology. I can honestly say that on days I drink Shakeology, my blood sugar is more level. I stay satisfied longer, have more energy and experience less energy crashes. I did not know there was a scientific reason for this. Now, I know. This is just one more reason Shakeology is the “healthiest meal” of the day!
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