Fiber is an excellent weight-loss tool — in fact, it’s one of the most important weapons in your weight-loss arsenal. When you chow down on foods that are low-glycemic and high in fiber, you’re getting the best of both worlds.
What the low-glycemic/high-fiber combo can do for you
Choosing foods that are low-glycemic and high in fiber is your secret weapon for weight loss. This power-duo combination adds up to
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Lower blood sugar and insulin spikes
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Controlled food cravings
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A longer-lasting “full” feeling
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Fewer calories and more volume consumed
So how to make sure you’re getting enough fiber out of the large variety of low-glycemic fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains you’re eating? Good news! You don’t need to mess with counting fiber grams. Instead, just aim for the following:
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Three or more servings of vegetables each day
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Two or more servings of fruits each day
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Three or more servings of whole grains each day (out of your total grain intake)
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One or more servings of legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) each day
Common low-glycemic/high-fiber foods
Meeting your fiber quota while incorporating low-glycemic food choices into your weekly meal plans is easier than you may expect. Following are several popular low-glycemic/high-fiber foods.
Popular Low-Glycemic/High-Fiber Foods
Food |
Glycemic Measurement (Per Serving) |
Fiber Content in Grams (Per Serving) |
Apple (with skin) |
Low |
3.7 |
Apricots |
Low |
2.5 |
Carrots |
Low |
2.2 |
Chickpeas |
Low |
6.0 |
Green peas |
Low |
4.4 |
Kiwi |
Low |
2.6 |
Oatmeal |
Low |
3.7 |
Orange |
Low |
3.0 |
Pearl barley |
Low |
6.0 |
Quinoa |
Low |
5.0 |
Whole-wheat bread |
Low |
2.0 |
Whole-wheat pita bread |
Low |
4.7 |
Incorporate low-glycemic/high-fiber foods into each meal
Incorporating low-glycemic/high-fiber foods into your diet is as simple as focusing on eating a wide variety of plant-based foods. If you can manage that, you’ll be on your way to a healthy fiber intake for the day. Following is a sample menu that uses some of the food choices presented in the preceding table.
Breakfast |
Oatmeal with sliced cinnamon apples
1% milk
1 hard-boiled egg |
Snack |
Orange
Almonds |
Lunch |
Turkey, cheese, and lettuce sandwich on whole-wheat bread
Split pea soup |
Snack |
Pita bread
Hummus |
Dinner |
Grilled barbeque chicken
Pearl barley salad
Steamed carrots |
Snack |
Low-fat ice cream |
Hasonló étkezési tervek elkészítéséhez saját maga készítse el a gyümölcs- és zöldségválasztékot egy glikémiás indextáblázattal, hogy megbizonyosodjon arról, hogy az Ön által kiválasztott élelmiszerek alacsony glikémiás és magas rosttartalmúak. Ezután gondoljon arra, hogyan adhat hozzá egy adag hüvelyeseket a napjához (talán úgy, hogy egy csésze babot beledob az ebédidős salátába).
Végül, amikor a teljes kiőrlésű gabonát választja, ne feledje ezt az ökölszabályt: minél magasabb a rost (általában), annál jobb.