The Glycemic Index Alcohol Myths
Weight loss is a very serious thing. There are thousands of diets on the market to help anyone and their uncle lose weight. They all profess to have the answer to the all mighty question, how do you lose weight? Knowing the glycemic index in foods is one of the best ways to lose weight. Understanding how to put glycemic index foods together will definitely help you lose weight. The first thing all weight loss programs require is that you stop drinking alcohol. The glycemic index in alcohol is very low, but the calories in alcohol are the same per gram as fat. The lower the glycemic index number, the healthier it is for you. The glycemic index lists the relative speed at which different foods are digested and how they affect the body’s blood sugar levels. The closer the glycemic index is to 100 the more that food will resemble glucose. Glucose or sugar is the stuff we all need to stay away from if we want to avoid diabetes and obesity. So, the glycemic index of alcohol looks like it should be a very healthy food for us all to drink. In fact this is a myth we all need to be aware of.
The Myths
The glycemic index of non-alcoholic beers is not less then regular brewed beers. Some of these beers double the carbohydrate content to its counterpart. Another myth is that the glycemic index of beer, wine and distilled products are zero. Diet books will say that the glycemic index of alcoholic beverages is high because it is not a healthy product for you to consume. In fact if you practice a lifestyle that monitors your glycemic index of alcohol and food, you will be able to enjoy a beverage or two. Another myth is that there are no carbohydrates in wine. The only alcoholic beverages that have a zero carb count are distilled products. The fermentation process of wine will always leave a small amount of sugar residual behind in the form of carbohydrates. A major myth is that alcohol goes straight through you and does not affect your body weight. Alcohol is processed in the body first before the proteins, fats and carbs. This slows down the fat burning process and can indeed add pounds to a body. Another myth is hard liquor is distilled and, therefore, the glycemic index of this alcohol is zero. This is a major mistake that most people make because all of the distilled liquors are made from a high carbohydrate product. You could equate this statement to, “candy bars are cholesterol free.”
What it all boils down to is that the glycemic index of alcohol is low, but it contains calories. Calories add up to pounds onto the body. Alcohol is fattening not because of the carbohydrates in it, but because of the calories. Alcohol tastes better when eaten with carbohydrates and, therefore, you have the double caloric hit. Drink and eat in moderation, stick to the glycemic index of foods and you should be able to live a healthy lifestyle.
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