Forget the high-carb, low-carb debate. The glycemic index (GI)--a measure of carbohydrate quality based on how quickly a food raises blood-glucose (blood sugar) levels--is the dietary key to health, say the authors. Contrary to other diets that treat carbohydrates as all alike,
The New Glucose Revolution divides carbos according to their GI into two categories. One is high GI (less desirable): carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion, leading to fast and high blood-glucose response. Examples are baked potatoes, sports bars, instant rice, corn flakes cereal, and baguettes. The other is low GI (more desirable): carbohydrates that break down slowly during digestion, leading to a gradual glucose release. Examples here are pasta, whole grains, fruit, legumes, and yams.
A low-GI diet is especially recommended for people with diabetes, abdominal overweight, and Syndrome X, say the authors, who have strong medical, nutritional-science, and diabetes education credentials. They explain the importance of understanding GI values, how GI is determined, health applications, and how to choose low-GI foods and balance the overall GI load. They give cooking tips, menu ideas, and 47 recipes. A 68-page table gives the GI values of many foods, including brand names. The New Glucose Revolution is recommended for health-conscious readers who want to understand the glycemic index and how to incorporate it into their diet. --Joan Price
