You want to be the bride that is leading the conga line of guests at 2am, right?
If you are getting married soon, there is a good chance that you are doing the lion share of the planning, organising, supplier meetings, family negotiating and general running around. And even for the healthiest and fittest of us, there is potential for your health to take a backseat.
But to be blunt, here at Unbridely, we think that this is where everything is a little backwards.
Our philosophy is that your wedding planning experience should be more like airplane crash procedure: you need to put on your OWN oxygen mask first before you help anyone else.
We want you to FEEL GOOD EVERYDAY.
Our featured Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Edwina Hobbs, feels your pain too and is here to help Unbridely brides and grooms with realistic and non-extreme advice to help you get the most out of the days leading up to your wedding.
This week we are kicking off with the topic of sustained energy.
If you’re wanting to look and feel your best in the lead-up to your big day (and who isn’t?), lowering the Glycemic Index (GI) of your diet might be a good place to start.
Eating foods that keep you fuller for longer, i.e. those with a low GI, may help reduce cravings, improve your concentration and sustain your energy better than relying on a diet of highly processed, high GI foods.
And best of all, these food swaps can be super easy to work into your day (no soul-draining, life-altering diet required).
But first, what is GI?
The GI is a ranking of foods containing carbohydrate according to how they affect blood glucose levels. Lower GI foods take longer to digest and cause a smaller rise in blood glucose levels than higher GI foods which can cause a spike in blood glucose levels (which may also lead to a dip in energy later on).
It’s important to note that the GI of foods is not the only factor to consider. For example, chocolate hazelnut spread is low in GI, however is not considered an everyday food due to its high fat and sugar content.
In general, the less processed your food is, the healthier your diet is going to be.
Basing your food choices around lean protein, lots of colourful vegetables, wholegrain cereals, dairy, fruit and healthy fats will help maintain your vitality and help you feel better every day.
The quickest and easiest way you can reap the benefits of sustained energy is by replacing high GI foods for lower GI foods in what you would normally eat every day.
6 Smart (& Simple) Swaps For Sustained Energy
1. Grainy bread (such as soy and linseed) or sourdough bread instead of white bread.
2. Choose good quality protein for each meal like lean beef, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, tofu or legumes, rather than processed meats (sausages, bacon, ham or salami).
3. Wholegrain cereals such as oats or muesli instead of heavily processed breakfast cereals.
4. Try some sweet potato instead of potato, or perhaps have a mix of both.
5. Try adding legumes to your meals. Lentils in your soup, beans in your Mexican and chickpeas in your salad, for example.
6. When cooking pasta, make sure it is al dente (not overcooked) and have a small to moderate-sized portion (½ cup -3/4 cup).
If you would like more information about GI, the Glycemic Index Foundation is a great place to start.
DISCLAIMER
The dietary information included in this article is intended to be of a general nature only, and is included for the sole purpose of providing general information. Material included in this website does not, and is not intended to constitute absolute and primary advice or provide any statement on which reliance should be placed. Readers should seek independent advice as appropriate from an Accredited Practicing Dietitian on all specific situations and conditions of concern to them.
