You can mix in other foods with a moderate glycemic index in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

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It is important to select foods with a low glycemic index, as opposed to those with a high glycemic index.

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To learn more about the glycemic index of foods, visit www.glycemicindex.com.

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Eating a lower glycemic index diet may help improve your cholesterol ratios.

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As part of a healthy diet or any reasonable plan to lose weight, it is vital to understand the importance of the glycemic index (GI).

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Lower glycemic index diets have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Americans.

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Because instant oatmeal has been processed to cook more quickly, it is also broken down and digested more quickly by your body, giving it a higher glycemic index.

CNN: Is instant oatmeal just as healthy as traditional?

Weight Loss: Diets with high protein content and a low glycemic index may improve overweight people's ability to maintain weight loss, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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To lower the glycemic index of instant oatmeal, all you have to do is combine it with a little lean protein (add low-fat or fat-free milk or a half-scoop of protein powder after cooking) or healthy fat (top with a tablespoon or two of chopped nuts, which are also good for lowering cholesterol).

CNN: Is instant oatmeal just as healthy as traditional?

Those on the low-glycemic-index diet burned about 150 calories a day more than those on the low-fat diet without any negative impacts on cholesterol levels or various hormones, making it the ideal diet, Dr. Ludwig said.

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