In today’s fast-paced world there are many diets and supplements that vow to improve your overall health and wellbeing (think meal replacement shakes, intermittent fasting, collagen, fish oil, paleo…the list goes on). This continued bombardment of products and information promises to foster healthy eating habits but despite this,42% of Australians still admit to having an unhealthy diet. What if we could try to ignore this overload of nutritional information and instead switch our focus to taking it back to basics?

Incorporating low GI (Glycemic Index) foods into your lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to make dramatic diet changes. It simply means stripping it back, and swapping at least one high GI food for a low GI alternative at every meal to improve your overall health.

Why? Science shows that a low GI lifestyle helps improve energy levels, manages weight and reduces the risk of developing significant health problems including; type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. This is because low GI foods are digested and absorbed more slowly by the body. This slow release of glucose into the bloodstream is proven to be much more beneficial for our overall health.

How? Start by following our top tips to help you take healthy eating back to basics thanks to low GI

• Get started with our low GI foods list filled with fruit, veg and pantry staples for your grocery cart inspiration
• Look for the GI Symbol on food and drink products in the supermarket
• Focus on simple swaps by using our swap it tool to swap your usual carbohydrate food for a lower GI alternative
• Get a good start to your day by opting for natural muesli, traditional porridge oats or cereals that carry the GI Symbol over highly processed breakfast cereals next time you are at your local supermarket
• Include legumes (such as dried and canned beans, lentils and chickpeas) in your meals two or three times a week, they are all low GI and nutrient rich while providing good levels of protein and fibre in your diet 
• Instead of buying bakery foods made primarily with white flour (e.g. white bread, crumpets, pikelets), go for breads where you can see the grains, authentic sourdoughs or stoneground wholemeal options
• Get quick and easy low GI recipe inspiration from our meal plans and recipe collections, such as our Mediterranean 7-Day Low GI Meal Plan packed with recipes featuring fresh whole foods including low GI legumes and grains, nuts and a wide variety of fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables

While it can be tempting to rely on quick-fix solutions, convenient fads, or processed foods that are often high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, taking it back to basics with a low GI approach can provide a sustainable and long-term way to improve your diet and overall health.