10. Zooming in on trendy diets
Are low carbohydrate diets an effective way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight?
Yes and no. First of all, it is important to mention that diets containing virtually no carbohydrates 
should never be a preferred method for weight-loss. Foods containing carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and grain products are far too nutritious to be excluded from any healthy diet. That being said, it would appear that diets that are moderately reduced in carbohydrates, but in which the proportion of protein is increased, might be effective for short term weight loss. However, at this time, there is insufficient data to conclude that these types of diets are effective in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight over the long term (over 12 months). To lose weight the healthy way and for the long run, opt instead for healthy lifestyle habits, including a varied diet... for life!
Can bad food combinations lead to weight gain?
No. Regardless of the types of foods and the order in which you consume them, weight gain occurs only when there is an excess of calories. And that’s final! So forget sophisticated combinations and go for winning foods and daily physical activity instead.
Do low Glycemic Index foods contribute to weight loss?
Yes and no. Originally created to help individuals with diabetes, the Glycemic Index is a scale that ranks foods containing carbohydrates by how much they raise blood glucose levels (amount of sugar in the blood) compared to a standard food, either glucose or white bread.1 Foods with a high glycemic index are digested faster and lead to a greater increase in blood glucose compared with foods with a low glycemic index. Recent findings indicate that foods with a lower glycemic index contribute to more weight and fat loss than more traditional calorie-reduced diets, while also playing a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.2 It is important to note that, for the moment, the results are positive only in the case of short term diets (less than 6 months). It is therefore too soon to recommend this type of diet over the long term. One fact remains: to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be sure to pay attention to your hunger and satiety signals.
Sources :
- Canadian diabetes association
(accessed online on December 2nd, 2008)
- Thomas DE et al. Low glycaemic index or low glycaemic load diets for overweight and obesity.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jul 18;(3):CD005105
