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SOYJOY Challenge 3: What is Glycemic Index?

June 13, 2009

If you’ve ever checked out a SOYJOY bar or the hilarious ads, you probably have seen this:

low-gi-otsuka

What is Glycemic Index?

The GI is a list of foods that are given a rating, from 1 to 100, based on how fast they break down and release sugars into your bloodstream. Food with a low Glycemic Index (55 and under) release glucose to the bloodstream at a gradual rate. Food with a high Glycemic Index (70 and above), on the other hand, releases sugar into the bloodstream rapidly, causing a sugar rush (and the eventual crash).

glycemic-index

What are some examples of low GI and high GI foods

Some low GI foods include:

And high GI foods:

Glycemic Index and Your Lifestyle

Sedentary office people (like yours truly) who don’t have the time to go to the gym or eat meals regularly should stock up on low GI foods. That way we would have a sustained amount of sugar throughout the day, preventing that 3-4pm sleepiness we are all so prone to.

Athletes and other more active people should still maintain a low GI diet, although they could profit from consuming high GI foods (in moderation) after exercise to replenish their energy levels. (Now you know why sports drinks have high GI.)

Glycemic Index and Weight Loss

Studies have shown that weight loss is possible with low GI diets. Researchers put together two groups of rats to demonstrate the effect GI had on weight. One group was fed on a low GI diet, while the other on a high GI diet. 18 weeks later, the low GI rats maintained their body weight, while the high GI rats became a whopping 71% fatter!

Another study was conducted with children. Kids who were fed breakfast with low GI reduced their daily energy intake by 60 calories. That’s 1830 calories over a month or 21,840 calories over a year, which is about 38 burgers. So it’s not surprising that over time, these children become susceptible to obesity and the slew of medical complications (like type 2 diabetes and heart disease) that come with it.

So before you stuff those cornflakes or doughnut in your mouth, think of the poor fat rats that were put on 18 week high GI diet against their will. Or perhaps that 38 sinful burgers that could have saved yourself from. You have a choice and you now have the knowledge, so the next time you need a snack, pick up a low GI food instead – perhaps something like an apple or a SOYJOY bar? ;)

Or even better, an Apple SOYJOY, which is still a crowd favorite here at my office. :D
apple-soyjoy

Sources:

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Office Snacking

June 1, 2009

This week for the GI JOY Challenge, the bloggers are to write about how we each enjoy our SOYJOY bars.

I could come up with a few brilliant ways of eating SOYJOY, but to be honest, I like my SOYJOY bars best when they’re half an arm’s length from my workstation… in my pencil holder.
soyjoy-gi-challenge

As a corporate communications professional, I work pretty long hours. I arrive at the office at 9am and leave around 7pm daily. Although, I have to admit, leaving at like 9 – 10pm isn’t uncommon when there are major events around the corner. So hunger has always been a problem for me. I don’t have to time to grab a bite, yet I have to resist against whatever is lying around the department pantry since they’re all high on fat and sugar. While they do satiate me for a while, I also end up crashing from all that sugar high and start feeling all sleepy and hungry again. (I’ll leave the science of this for next week’s challenge.) The worst comes when I have to deal with the guilt after reading the nutrition labels for these things.

Anyway, since I started putting my SOYJOY in my pencil holder, I don’t have to starve and feel guilty about snacking anymore. My desk has also become a second (and a much healthier) pantry for my department, since my equally hungry colleagues can now help themselves to some SOYJOY even when I’m not around. :)

soyjoy-gi-challenge

Talking about colleagues and SOYJOY, I’d like to take this opportunity to say that the apple flavor is the biggest hit in my department. So if you’d like try a SOYJOY bar, I highly recommend apple! :D

Dear Readers, what are your snacking habits like? Do you feel guilty about snacking? What do you have in your office pantry / fridge (for those still in school)?

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their support! Please do keep the votes coming in. You can vote once every 3 hours.

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