The Glucose Goddess’ number one trick for dessert without the sugar crash

Jessie Inchauspé is making waves in the wellness industry with Glucose Revolution, an insightful guide to improving your health by balancing blood sugar levels. 

In the book, Inchauspé uses her biochemistry background to provide tips for lowering blood glucose levels – no diet required. By exploring the effects of certain food pairings, exercising after eating, and secret ingredients that help balance blood sugar, Glucose Revolution makes learning about health an entertaining endeavour.

More importantly, Glucose Revolution also makes the quest for lower blood glucose levels an achievable one. Inchauspé emphasizes that her message isn’t about restriction – in fact, eating dessert is still on the table. If you do it right, that is.

The Glucose Goddess’ top dessert tip

According to the Glucose Goddess, the number one way to stop a spike is by enjoying sweets after having a full meal.

'The best time to eat something sweet is after you’ve already eaten a meal with fat, protein and fibre,' Inchauspé says. 'When we eat sugar on an empty stomach, we’re throwing our system into a postprandial spin, riding on a big glucose and fructose spike.'

Rather than reaching for a chocolate bar during that mid-afternoon slump, eat it after lunch or save it to enjoy after dinner. By tacking your dessert onto a meal, you can avoid that tired, slumpy feeling so frequently experienced after a cheeky treat.

More ways to prevent a sugar crash

But what if you just can’t wait? What if it’s a colleague’s birthday, or you have a craving that needs immediate attention?

According to Glucose Revolution, 'the recipe is simple, but the impact is strong. A drink consisting of a tablespoon of vinegar in a tall glass of water, drunk a few minutes before eating something sweet, flattens the ensuing glucose and insulin spikes.'

While it might not sound like the most appealing beverage ever, a mixture of water and vinegar can work wonders. 'Cravings are curbed, hunger is tamed and more fat is burned.'

If you can’t stomach the idea of drinking vinegar, some simple movement can also help. 'If we sit on a chair for an hour after eating cake, the glucose will accumulate in our body and cause a spike. If we exercise instead, the glucose will almost immediately be used up by our muscles. It won’t accumulate and cause a spike.'

While it all sounds pretty simple in theory, the proof is in the pudding. Next time you reach for a sweet, remember these three things to help stave off a spike and see how much better you feel.

• If possible, eat the sweet as a dessert following a meal rather than a snack.
• Drink a little bit of vinegar in water before eating a sweet.
• After eating a sweet, try to get in some movement.

By adopting these simple tips, you can enjoy sweets while still looking out for your body.

For a healthy dessert that won’t send your blood glucose skyrocketing, try this recipe for baked rhubarb posset with almonds by the Glucose Goddess herself.