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Thread: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

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    Default Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Has anyone ever tried this?

    My mom is a huge medical community woman, and she doesn't buy the theory that eating a Low GI diet can help your skin, but I've found that the diet is anecdotally helpful to prevent acne.

    Basically, I've been eating a diet that is very low in proecessed sugars (amongst other things...basically anything your body can break down really quickly, including many grains) : the only sugars I eat are in fruits, healthy yogurt, etc. I bought The Idiot's Guide to Glycemic Index Weight Loss...not to lose weight, but to help my skin.

    The theory:
    When you eat foods that raise your blood sugar quickly, it causes a sharp increase in insulin in your body. When this spike in insulin occurs, it affects your hormones--which can lead to more acne. So yes, this would only work (in theory) for hormonal acne.

    I'm not sure if it's because I've been eating more healthily (lots of white/green tea, vegetables, etc), or if it's because the GI diet's theory is valid, but my skin has definitely been more clear since starting this diet. And if I go off of the diet, my skin gets noticeably worse.

    Has anyone tried something similar to this and had good results? If so, I thought maybe we could share meal ideas, good low GI foods that satisfy cravings, etc. If not, let this serve as an interesting PSA to help anyone out there with skin problems who is running out of ideas.

    And the diet isn't just for people with bad skin: supposedly eating Low/Medium GI can prevent food cravings (since it prevents spikes and sharp drops in your insulin levels), thus helping you lose weight.

    This explains the diet pretty clearly:
    http://www.mla.com.au/NR/rdonlyres/C...ietbooklet.pdf

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    I've been on a low-carb diet since Sept. (not Atkins, but my own variation of...) and by Oct. my skin was totally cleared up. I even stopped using my bc pills during that time (which had previously kept my skin clear- I used to have a really bad acne problem) and my skin is better NOW than when I was on them! I really do attribute it to this diet being sugar and pretty much gluten free.

    Oh, I lost 15lbs too.

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    ^ Very cool! If I may ask, how do you survive on a gluten-free diet? Isn't that like...all breads? I'd love to hear any substitution ideas you might have. I'm trying to combat sugar cravings as well...

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    i just eat high-fat (saturated and omega-3), mostly carnivore. the glycemic index is misleading, particularly if you mostly eat your vegetables raw.
    http://www.carbs-information.com/glycemic-load.htm

    glycemic load is more relevant when deciding how much carbohydrate to have in one's diet, if any.

    interestingly, i had mild menstrual acne until i went high-fat. then it disappeared. and i gained muscle and am still steadily losing fat. but i still eat carrots and chard occasionally, and they are pretty high up on the GI scale, but pretty low on the glycemic load scale.

    you really only have to worry about glycemic anything, though, if you are high carb, which is admittedly a very common feature of most american diets, including 'healthy' ones.

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    I've just started on the Anti-Candida diet which also does not allow sugar or yeast. I'm also trying it because of my skin (acne and hives) and also a pesky yeast infection that won't go away. I didn't go to a doctor because here they are crap and every time I go, no matter what the issue, they all prescribe me more anti-biotics. I realized my diet was a lot crappier then I thought when I started taking a look at the labels beyond looking at the calories. I'm having some trouble figuring out exactly what is allowed and what's not, all the websites have slight variations and I haven't bought a book yet. But basically I'm only eating meat and eggs, natural yogurt, veggies (but limited high GI ones), and a tiny amount of Oats to curb my craving for carbs, lots of garlic and onion (ew). No caffeine, milk/products or alcohol. I'm having major sugar withdrawals. I'm sooo tired and cranky, but the alternative of this never ending "issue" down there and these freaking hives and breakouts are driving me insane. Oh - and in case anyone brings it up, it's not any other STD, I get tested all the time and use protection all the time (including with my husband) anyways.

    I'm just going to try it for 8 weeks and see if I see an improvement. I figure there is no harm in trying. I will then re-introduce a few things and see if I can still maintain healthy skin and vajayjay since I'm sure I just have an excessive amount of candida in my body.

    I don't want to lose weight. I will inevitably though. I'm going to cut down on my exercise if I start losing too much. I lost 4lbs in only a few days already. I'll let you know how I go re the skin. I'm sure it will help though. I worked with a girl who would do a few months on, few months off of a similar diet. On the months on her skin was amazing. By the end of the months off it was starting to breakout again.

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Quote Originally Posted by charlie61 View Post
    ^ Very cool! If I may ask, how do you survive on a gluten-free diet? Isn't that like...all breads? I'd love to hear any substitution ideas you might have. I'm trying to combat sugar cravings as well...

    I know it sounds awful to give up breads but actually, once your body has adjusted, you will not crave them at all! And trust me, I used to be the ultimate carb junkie. I would laugh at low-carb people because I was positive that I could never, ever do it.

    But here I am, 3 months later, and I can't see going back to how I ate before.

    As for a pretty good substitution try 'Oopsie rolls':

    Preheat oven to 300 degrees

    -3 eggs, separated
    -pinch cream of tartar
    -pinch salt
    -3 oz of cream cheese

    Make a meringue from the egg whites and cream of tartar, set aside. Mix egg yolks with salt and cream cheese. Fold yolk mixture into meringue, being careful not to stir (as this will break down the meringue).

    Grease a baking sheet and divide batter up to make 6 rolls. Flatten mounds slightly if buns are desired (you can make pretty awesome sandwiches out of the buns) and bake for 30 minutes.

    I make these all the time. So simple but so good.
    Last edited by E.Eve; 12-06-2009 at 10:50 AM. Reason: I have a pic!

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    ^ I'm super curious about what your 'stock foods' are while on this diet. After cutting out sugar (and in the future, cutting out gluten), I'm having problems coming up with satisfying things to eat. What do you buy as your 'regular items' when you go to the grocery store?

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    eating high quality saturated fat fills you up. you end up more sated and eat significantly less overall. plus, no sugar crashing!

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    ^ What kind of saturated fats? What sources would you most recommend?

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Quote Originally Posted by charlie61 View Post
    ^ I'm super curious about what your 'stock foods' are while on this diet. After cutting out sugar (and in the future, cutting out gluten), I'm having problems coming up with satisfying things to eat. What do you buy as your 'regular items' when you go to the grocery store?
    My regular items are mainly meat (chicken, pork, beef... whatever's on sale), leafy green vegetables, broccoli, other low carb veggies (you can google a list), eggs, and hard cheeses (all kinds).

    There actually are several low-carb salad dressings too, I use Newman's Own Light Italian.

    I'm sure this list sounds boring, but it is actually pretty easy to come up with good substitutes for stuff. For example, yesterday I made awesome "breaded" chicken by dipping chicken breasts in an egg and olive oil mixture then coating them crushed pork rinds,parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. The result is very tasty and bread-like.

    As for snacking, I eat a ton of cheese, bacon, and sausage.

    If I have a sweet craving, I drink a flavored tea with splenda.

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Quote Originally Posted by charlie61 View Post
    ^ What kind of saturated fats? What sources would you most recommend?
    pasture-raised meat (you can find local suppliers at http://www.eatwild.com), virgin coconut oil (good for sauteeing and frying) and palm oil (good for slow cooking). also butter (from the same sources at eatwild) and lard (again, must get it from a pastured producer).

    and of course i use meat drippings from any meat cooked on the stove.

    if you have a good hookup with india-indians, you can try ghee (clarified butter).

    eatwild.com is not a producer, just a list of where in america people are producing healthy food on farms. most supply meat/eggs/butter/dairy, but some also do vegetables.

    if it is possible to do so, buy from local providers, but if not, some of the farms listed at eatwild will ship to nearby states or cross-country.

    you can order virgin coconut oil and palm oil in bulk online.

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    I actually went gluten free for two weeks due to a lot of health problems and finding out celiac disease is higher in families with a type I diabetic.

    It helped me so much, and I lost 15 pounds in 10 days. I'm not shitting you, probably a lot of bloat.

    Had to go back to gluten to get tested by an MD - but after that I don't care what the results are, no more gluten. I quit craving carbs and quit overeating altogether.

    My favorite substitutions:

    rice noodles or bean threads for spaghetti (in the "asian foods" aisle)
    you can actually buy a rice crust frozen pizza - i think it's "Amy's"
    corn tortillas
    rice flour - still wanting to make bbq pork buns, but there are some "bread" recipes out there

    Yeah it's a little limited, but the improvement to my health (skin, scalp, bowels, weight, mental attitude) was worth it and I would have continued. My appt is next Wed - i hope i get some info, at least for my family's sake.

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Charlie some of the stuff I have been eating...I'm not sure how it fits with the low GI thing but it may help with the shopping.

    Breakfast
    - omelette (without milk) just add water instead and with fresh spring onions
    - greek yogurt with Oats

    Lunch
    - Salads
    - Spinach and rocket with either salmon, turkey, tuna or chicken
    - lemon and olive oil dressing or make home made tzatziki if craving something creamy
    - can also add macadamias (I can't eat) or pine nuts
    - can add pumpkin and/or feta (I can't have)
    - I can't eat this but it's a yummy salad if you can - rocket, a sliced pear, balsamic vinager & olive oil, and pine nuts.
    - Salmon, rocket, dill, watercrest and tzatziki is a yummy salad too. You can add feta if you are allowed.

    Dinner
    - chicken, lamb, steak, pork, fish, or shrimp
    - steamed green veggies - green beans, asparagus, broccoli - butter and sesame seeds on top
    - these maybe high GI but roast pumpkin or I thinly slice a sweet potato(only half as it's a treat) and grill it like french fries with sea salt
    - Similar salad to lunch

    Snacks
    - Celery or cauliflower dipped in home made tzatziki or hommus
    - nuts
    - Olives
    - fruit

    My cravings are now almost gone. I went to the gym today for 2 hours and didn't feel like I was going to die afterwards. Usually I need to eat something sugary (fruit) straight away. I just chewed on a few nuts and a stick of celery while I made dinner. Normally after the gym I pig out while making dinner. I am having trouble sleeping though. Did any of you experience that with low carb diets?

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    jessie, what's rocket?

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Quote Originally Posted by kittygirl View Post
    I actually went gluten free for two weeks due to a lot of health problems and finding out celiac disease is higher in families with a type I diabetic.

    It helped me so much, and I lost 15 pounds in 10 days. I'm not shitting you, probably a lot of bloat.

    Had to go back to gluten to get tested by an MD - but after that I don't care what the results are, no more gluten. I quit craving carbs and quit overeating altogether.

    My favorite substitutions:

    rice noodles or bean threads for spaghetti (in the "asian foods" aisle)
    you can actually buy a rice crust frozen pizza - i think it's "Amy's"
    corn tortillas
    rice flour - still wanting to make bbq pork buns, but there are some "bread" recipes out there

    Yeah it's a little limited, but the improvement to my health (skin, scalp, bowels, weight, mental attitude) was worth it and I would have continued. My appt is next Wed - i hope i get some info, at least for my family's sake.
    Why didn't you continue (you said you "would have continued)?

    I'm afraid that if I cut out gluten, then there's not much else to eat. I imagine I'd lose weight because I wouldn't be eating anything! I mean sugar is one thing...but bread? What do you eat to substitute the calories, fiber, etc??

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Quote Originally Posted by daniella_maria View Post
    jessie, what's rocket?
    It's only the yummiest type of lettuce ever.

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    Quote Originally Posted by charlie61 View Post
    Why didn't you continue (you said you "would have continued)?

    I'm afraid that if I cut out gluten, then there's not much else to eat. I imagine I'd lose weight because I wouldn't be eating anything! I mean sugar is one thing...but bread? What do you eat to substitute the calories, fiber, etc??
    I had this same question. I've only recently gone down the gluten-free experiment path. To my surprise, there are a ton of gluten-free grain options they are just a bit harder to find (and you have to do a lot of your own prep.) Take a look at this chart:

    http://www.saveonfoods.com/foodnutri...luten_free.htm

    If you look at the foods in which gluten is lurking, most of it is stuff you'd stay away from anyway, foods that are sugary, over-processed and loaded with preservatives. But the list of things that are gluten-free is quite long!

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    Default Re: Low GI diet for your weight AND skin

    I did gluten free for two weeks but you have to be on gluten for at least six weeks for the antibody tests to be somewhat accurate.

    Once you cut out gluten the antibody levels go normal and the small intestine heals.

    I'll do it eventually, but I still want medical confirmation to validate that the health problems I've had for 30 years have a source and most important so my family agrees to get tested.

    Without "proof", my family is the type to consider it a fad and some kind of hypochondria. It's important that my sister (who's actually open to it) has a legitimate reason to take to her doctor for her and her kids. Some of them have chronic anemia and other problems despite vitamins everyday and a good diet.

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