The British Go Lower diet is a 28-day, low-carb diet. When you sign up for this diet plan you are purchasing already-prepared meals and snacks. As of 2010, cost for the beginning, basic plan was about $12 a day. The program is available throughout most of mainland United Kingdom. Always consult a doctor before starting a new diet program.
Features
This Go Lower plan has three basic cornerstones -- calorie intake that's cut to 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day, eating protein and consuming foods that are low on the glycemic index, or GI, which tend to be high in fiber when you're talking carbs. Such meals are meant to help you feel full longer so that you won't be tempted to binge eat. You do not prepare your own meals with this plan, however. Instead, Go Lower sends you 42 snacks, 28 dinners, 28 soups meant for lunchtime and 28 granolas meant for breakfast. You also get recipes to use after you are done with the program, according to the Go Lower website. You also can purchase Go Lower foods via the website after finishing the program.
Types
Though it's a low-carb diet, Go Lower does not allow any type of fat like other low-carb diet plans such as the Atkins diet do. The plan's restrictions extend to saturated and trans fat as well as preservatives, artificial flavorings, artificial colors and salt. Go Lower does emphasize gtting enough vitamins and minerals as well as fiber.
Potential
Low-carb diets such as Go Lower can successfully help you lose weight in the short term, according to P.A. Dyson, author of a review on low-carb diets and weight loss among people who have diabetes that was published in the British "Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics." However, if you are looking for long-term success, there's no evidence that the low-carb approach is any more successful than traditional reduced-calorie diets in the long term, Dyson says. Also, most studies conducted on low-carb diets have been conducted with short time frames, so more research is needed to investigate the long-term effects such diets have on factors such as nutritional adequacy and lipid levels in people, the author notes.
Theories/Speculation
The theory behind eating low GI carbs is that they help you sustain weight loss, lower your risk for diabetes and reduce your risk for heart disease because they produce only small fluctuations in your blood glucose and thus your insulin levels, according to the University of Sydney in Australia, which maintains a GI database. Insulin is your fat-storage hormone. Consuming low GI carbs means glucose slowly trickles into your bloodstream. This helps keep your energy levels balanced. It also helps you stay fuller for longer between meals, according to the university.
Considerations
Go Lower does not offer support via weigh ins or weekly meetings, as some diet plans do. The Internet-based diet does offer consultations with diet counselors. These can be done via phone appointment or online. The diet is designed so that you can lose weight without a specific exercise plan, but you can consult a Go Lower consultant to learn about recommended exercises, according to the Go Lower website.
References
- Go Lower: How it Works
- "Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics;" A review of low and reduced carbohydrate diets and weight loss in type 2 diabetes; P. A. Dyson; 2008
- Diet Review: Go Lower Diet Service Review
- University of Sydney Glycemic Index: What is the Glycemic Index
- Go Lower: Cost and Comparative Solutions
- Go Lower: FAQ
