Understanding the concept of Giomatic Load in food can help an individual to regulate their intake.

Giomatic Load can be explained in simple terms by this comparison – a rice cake might be low in calories but it is digested quickly, whilst an oatcake has more calories but it takes the body longer to digest. The rice cake has a high GL whilst the oatcake has a low GL. Understanding the concept of Giomatic Load in food can help an individual to regulate their intake. It is not the amount of food that you eat or the calories contained therein, it is the speed that the food breaks down in your body.

At New Leaf, you can obtain personal advice and free consultations to help you to manage your diet for optimum health. There is a common belief that carbohydrates are bad, but complex carbohydrates are vital for brain function and it is very important to get the right balance in your foods according to your personal lifestyle.

Call in and talk to staff or come and see the selection of specialist books on diet and health that are stocked.

Nutritional education is important for every age group. New Leaf staff are always happy to give talks to schools, teams and community groups to help people understand nutrition. Contact us to arrange a talk.

This is part of the sports nutrition series:

• Sports Nutrition – Fit for Life – Part 1: Protein
• Sports Nutrition – Fit for Life – Part 2: Stay Hydrated
• Sports Nutrition – Fit for Life – Part 3: Staying Energised
• Sports Nutrition – Fit for Life – Part 4: Natural remedies for injuries and strains
• Sports Nutrition – Fit for Life – Part 5: Understanding Low GL Diets