I Am On A Low Gi Diet And Running Regularly. What Foods Should I Be Eating To For Energy?

Developed by a Dr David Jenkins in the early eighties to help diabetics stabilise their blood-sugar levels, the Glycaemic Index (GI) has revolutionised the diet industry, with many nutritionists now advocating it as the best way to stabilise blood-sugar levels, increase energy levels and of course encourage fat loss.
For all the controversy that Dr Atkins created by preaching the benefits of low-carbohydrate diets, he certainly made a lot more people aware of the impact that certain types of carb can have on our insulin levels. Although vilified by many nutritional scientists for his method of dieting, the underlining point made by him on the importance of stabilising blood-sugar levels to improve energy levels and control body fat is upheld by all nutritionists.

If you are on a low GI diet and therefore avoiding high GI foods such as potaotes and bread, then you just have to ensure that you are eating sufficient amounts of low GI carbs to replace the energy you would have expended through your running. It doesn't mean that you have to eat huge piles of low GI carbs, but the amount of running you are doing does depend on how much you need.

Try experimenting with different types of low GI foods for variety. Pulses and beans are great, and nutritious sources, but it takes a few attempts to find a way to cook them to make them palatable. There are a few websites such as http://www.glycaemicindex.com where you can go which tell you the GI of the food you are eating.

Sports nutrition is not an exact science. There are general rules, but everyone is different, which is why you need to experiment and find out what works for you.