CHAPTER 9
World’s Healthiest Foods
Balance Blood Sugar Levels
Keeping Blood Sugar Balanced
Glucose—a type of sugar found in our blood—is a necessary nutrient
for many cells, especially the brain. An essential feature of main-
taining health is to have balanced blood glucose levels. If these levels
are too low, our cells may not be properly nourished. If these levels
are too high, metabolic consequences can occur which can lead to
damage to the kidneys, arteries, and other body systems. High blood
glucose levels also usually reflect that the cells are not being able to
take in the glucose and therefore are not getting the energy they need
for normal function.
When we speak about blood sugar, we are not talking about the
same type of sugar as you find as table sugar. Blood sugar is glucose,
a simple sugar that others can be broken down into.
At every moment of every day, our blood sugar level is shifting
slightly. Eating a meal can shift our blood sugar level dramatically—
depending, of course, on which foods we eat and how thoroughly we
are able to chew and digest them. It’s natural for our blood sugar to
increase after a meal. However, it’s unnatural for it to increase be-
yond certain limits. Similarly, between meals, it is natural for our
blood sugar to drop. But excessive drops are problematic.
If we eat in a way that turns our blood sugar balance into a roller-
coaster ride, we risk several unwanted consequences, including the
possibility of unwanted weight gain. The connection between large
blood sugar swings and potential weight gain is fairly simple. If our
Healthy Weight Loss — Without Dieting