The Glucose Revolution: The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index-The Groundbreaking Medical Discovery (Paperback)

~ Thomas M.S. Wolever M.D. Ph.D. (Author), Jennie Brand-Miller Ph.D. (Author), Kaye Foster-Powell (Editor), Stephen Colagiuri M.D. (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At last, a diet book based on sound scientific research! The Glucose Revolution: The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index--The Groundbreaking Medical Discovery, is written by respected Australian and Canadian nutrition experts, including two MDs and a Ph.D., who've spent the past 20 years researching the role of carbohydrates in a healthy diet. According to the authors, watching carbohydrate consumption is the key to a healthy diet. There's good reason the book has been endorsed by biggies in the medical field like Harvard's Dr. JoAnn Manson and integrative health guru Dr. Andrew Weil: the authors are acknowledged in the medical community as leading authorities on the topic and have published hundreds of articles in scientific journals before translating their findings here for us regular folks.

But, say the authors, not all carbs are created equal, which is where the glycemic index comes in. A ranking of carbs based on how quickly they're broken down during digestion and their effects on blood sugar (glucose) levels, the index is culled from 15 years of studies involving hundreds of people. Carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, such as bread and potatoes, are quickly digested and released into the bloodstream as glucose. They provide an immediate energy boost, but aren't filling enough to sustain you till your next meal. Carbs with a low glycemic index, such as rolled oats and pasta, slowly release glucose into the bloodstream, are more satisfying, and better help to control hunger.

Part one of the book provides the scientific--but highly readable--explanation of what comprises a healthy, balanced diet. Part two provides specific recommendations for people looking to lose weight without feeling hungry all the time, athletes seeking energy to fuel their workouts, and people with diabetes who need to carefully control their blood sugar. This section also contains 50 easy-to-prepare recipes for meals and snacks, with a glycemic index ranking and fat, calorie, carbohydrate, and fiber counts. --Nancy Monson

Review

Although the jury is still out on the utility of the glycemic index, many of the curious will benefit from a careful reading of this book, and some will find that the glycemic index is particularly helpful for them. Everyone can enjoy the recipes, some of which are to die for -- Johanna Dwyer, D. Sc,RD, editor, Nutrition Today

For decades we've known that success in athletics is based not only on how athletes train, but also on what they eat. Now The Glucose Revolution provides scientifically based nutritional advice to help athletes achieve peak performance and answers their many questions about what and when to eat before, during, and after competition. It clearly explains that eating high-carbohydrate foods when in training is not enough-the glycemic index must also be considered -- Joe Friel, author of The Triathlete's Training Bible and The Cyclist's Training Bible

Forget Sugar Busters. Forget The Zone. If you want the real scoop on how carbohydrates and sugar affect your body, read this book by the world's leading researchers on the subject. It's the authoritative, last word on choosing foods to control your blood sugar -- Jean Carper, best-selling author of Miracle Cures, Stop Aging Now! and Food: Your Miracle Medicine

Here is at last a book explaining the importance of taking into consideration the glycemic index of foods for overall health, athletic performance, and in reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. The book clearly explains that there are different kinds of carbohydrates that work in different ways and why a universal recommendation to "increase the carbohydrate content of your diet" is plainly simple and scientifically inaccurate. Everyone should put the glycemic index approach into practice -- Artemis P. Simopoulos, M.D., senior author of The Omega Diet and The Healing Diet and President, The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health, Washington, D.C.

Mounting evidence indicates that refined carbohydrates and high glycemic index foods are contributing to the escalating epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes worldwide. This dietary pattern also appears to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The skyrocketing proportion of calories from added sugars and refined carbohydrates in westernized diets portends a future acceleration of these trends. The Glucose Revolution challenges traditional doctrines about optimal nutrition and the role of carbohydrates in health and disease. Brand-Miller and colleagues are to be congratulated for an eminently lucid and important book that explains the science behind the glycemic index and provides tools and strategies for modifying diet to incorporate this knowledge. I strongly recommend the book to both health professionals and the general public who could use this state-of-the-art information to improve health and well-being -- Joann E. Manson, M.D., Dr.P.H., Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Co-Director of Women's Health, Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital

The Glucose Revolution is nutrition science for the 21st century. Clearly written, it gives the scientific rationale for why all carbohydrates are not created equal. It is a practical guide for both professionals and patients. The food suggestions and recipes are exciting and tasty -- Richard N. Podell, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and co-author of The G-Index Diet: The Missing Link That Makes Permanent Weight Loss Possible

The concept of the glycemic index has been distorted and bastardized by popular writers and diet gurus. Here, at last, is a book that explains what we know about the glycemic index and its importance in designing a diet for optimum health. Carbohydrates are not all bad. Read the good news about pasta and even-believe it or not-sugar -- Andrew Weil, M.D., University of Arizona College of Medicine, author of Spontaneous Healing and 8 Weeks to Optimum Health

The glycemic index is a useful tool which may have a broad spectrum of applications, from the maintenance of fuel supply during exercise to the control of blood glucose levels in diabetics. Low glycemic index foods may prove to have beneficial health effects for all of us in the long-term. The Glucose Revolution is a user-friendly, easy-to-read overview of all that you need to know about the glycemic index. This book represents a balanced account of the importance of the glycemic index based on sound scientific evidence -- James Hill, Ph.D., Director, Center for Human Nutrition, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

The majority of the people in the community are totally confused by the mixed messages being widely promoted about the importance of good nutrition, not just in relation to health but in the arena of chronic illness, for example diabetes. The Glucose Revolution brings a clear and positive message that the consumption of slowly digested carbohydrate can not only improve athletic performance but also allows people with diabetes to achieve much better blood sugar control. All of the latest scientific evidence points to this reducing the risks of diabetes related complications and providing general wellbeing. The authors, known internationally in their own right, must be congratulated as the bearers of heartening news to the reader throught their lucid and stimulating explanation of how to apply The Glucose Revolution for a healthy lifestyle and improved well being -- Paul Zimmet, M.D., Ph.D., International Diabetes Institute

We've searched bookstores a long time for a clearly written book leading the way toward a healthier diet-high in whole, unprocessed complex carbohydrates and low in fat and refined foods. The Glucose Revolution is that book. It will transport you along a gentle, steady stream of information onto a sea of knowledge. If you want to see your diabetes and your kitchen in a whole new light, definitely get this book -- John Walsh, P.A., C.D.E., and Ruth Roberts, M.A., authors of Pumping Insulin and STOP the Rollercoaster and The Diabetes Mall

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Marlowe & Company; 1 edition (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569246602
• ISBN-13: 978-1569246603
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #171,242 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

212 of 216 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great companion book for any diet., December 13, 1999

By A Customer

The information contained in this book can give you the will power to stay on your current diet, by eliminating between meal hunger. A great companion book to weight watchers 1-2-3 program or for those who think they are addicted to carbohydrates. After reading this book, you'll find that it isn't carbohydrates that are causing you to over-eat, but rather the type of carbohydrate you are choosing. By choosing foods with a low glycemic instead of those that are high, your blood sugar remains stable. For example, grapes have a G.I. index of 46 where, cantalope has a G.I. index of 65. By eating the grapes instead of the cantalope, you're stomach empties slower... your blood sugar level remains stable... and you last longer without needing food. After adding the information I learned in this book to my weight watchers program, I've lost more weight in the past six months than I did in the prior two years on the program. It feels more natural, I don't feel deprived and I don't struggle between meals. The information in "The Glucose Revolution" virtually eliminated my hunger pains.I highly recommend this book!

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT A DIET BOOK - A WAY OF LIFE, March 22, 2000

By A Customer

In January 2000 I was diagnosed with Diabetes. I had the good fortune(?) of having friends who have experience with diabetes. They told me about this book (1996 edition). The information contained in this book is absolutely brilliant. The scientific research and proof about what your body does with different types of carbohydrates and the dispelling of the old myths is fascinating reading. All foods should come out with a GI factor listed on them now. Recipe books are finally starting to come out with GI listing for meals. One of those NEW books is called the ENJOY COOKBOOK, written by Sally James (ISBN 187662406X) which rates a meal by the GI factor of the ingredients. At least it would take the guess work out of knowing what's good and what isn't. Every home should have The Glucose Revolution : The Authoritative Guide to the Glycemic Index.

80 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One more piece to the puzzle..., January 7, 2000

By	N. Roberts "nanjean" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having dealt with diabetes for years, I learned about the glycemic index and insulin long ago. There is one other condition called Syndrome X which is when someone is insulin resistant. The body makes too much insulin but the person isn't diabetic. The over supply of insulin causes water retention, high blood pressure and heart disease. The one piece to add to this information is that when you DO eat high glycemic food, always ADD some added fat (butter or olive oil) or protein to the meal. That will prevent the sugar spiking which causes insulin levels to also rise. The stomach will empty slower and the sugar level will stay more constant. You'll also feel full longer.