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By admin On February 3, 2010No Comments
So today I was training a client and we were talking about which fruits were good or bad for fat loss in terms of how much sugar they have. I said that bananas are OK because they’re low on the Glycemix Index (GI). The glycemic index is a rating given to foods based on how much they spike your blood sugar levels. The higher the food on the GI scale, the more it will spike your blood sugar.
With regard to fat loss, you don’t want to eat foods that are high on the GI scale because a spike in blood sugar means that you body has to release more insulin to process that sugar. That’s not good because higher insulin levels have been shown promote the storage of fat in your body. Therefore, you want to eat foods that have a low GI.
Back to my story: So another trainer heard me saying that bananas are ok because they are low on the GI scale and she said that wasn’t true. She said that bananas are actually very high on the GI scale.
So I did a little research and this is what I found:
Bananas have a LOW glycemic index rating. They are ok to eat. However, the riper a banana gets, the more sugar it will have so my other fellow trainer was also correct to an extent. I’m not saying you have to eat green bananas, but if they are too ripe, then they will definitely have more sugar.
Bananas are also a slow digesting carbohydrate and a good source of fibre.
The verdict: You can eat bananas.
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By admin On December 6, 2009
18 Comments
The Benefits of Berries:
We all know that fruits are good for us but we usually don’t know why. Well I’m going to be discussing the health benefits of many popular fruits so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting the next time you help yourself to a specific fruit. Today I want to fill you in on the benefits of adding berries to your daily diet.
The Goods on Berries:
One cup of strawberries are packed with over 100 mg of vitamin C, nearly as much as a cup of orange juice. Vitamin C is important for immune system function and it helps to strengthen connective tissue. With only 53 calories, Strawberries also add a bit of potassium, magnesium. calcium and folate.
A cup of blueberries also has a fair amount of vitamin C, minerals and phytochemicals with less than 85 calories. Cranberries, with less 45 calories, has the same amount of vitamin C as blueberries. One cup of raspberries offers vitamin C and potassium for 64 calories.
Berries are beautifully coloured, but aside from looking pretty, the pigments that give berries their blue and red hues are also good for your health. Berries contain phytochemicals and flavonoids that help to prevent some forms of cancer. Cranberries and blueberries contain a substance that can prevent bladder infections. Adding blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and strawberries to your diet can help to reduce the risk of several cancers. In addition, blueberries and raspberries contain lutein, which is important for healthy vision.
Buying Berries:
Choose colourful, ripe and firm berries with no dark or mushy spots. Berries can also be found in the frozen section of your grocery store. When they are thawed, they will not be as firm as freshly picked berries, but they will still be delicious and good for you. For the freshest berries, try farmers’ markets that offer berries harvested that same day. Some farms allow you to pick your own berries.
What’s great is that you get all these great antioxidants and vitamins in very few calories! So you don’t have to eat a whole lot of berries to enjoy the benefits of them.
Eat Berries!
Stay Strong,
Kam.
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