What Is Glucose — And Where Does It Come From?

Okay, so glucose — what even is it?
It’s basically sugar, but the kind your body actually needs.
It’s the fuel that powers your brain, your muscles, every single cell in your body.

When you eat — especially carbs — your body breaks that food down into glucose, which then floats around in your blood, ready to give you energy.

But here’s the thing — when there’s too much glucose hanging out in your blood too often (like with prediabetes), it can start messing with your energy, your weight, and your long-term health.

Not because glucose is bad. It’s just your body’s having a hard time handling it properly.

Where do we get glucose from? Pretty much from all the usual foods, especially carbs.

• Bread, pasta, rice, cereal, crackers, all the comforting carbs

• Potatoes, kumara, and other starchy veggies

• Fruits — especially bananas, apples, grapes, and those sneaky dried fruits and juices

• Dairy — milk, yoghurt, ice cream (yum!)

• And yeah, the sugary stuff — soft drinks, lollies, cakes, all the ultra-processed treats that make your blood sugar bounce around

So — is glucose bad? Nope. Not at all.
Your body needs it to function. But balance is key.

When glucose hits your bloodstream too fast or too often — especially from processed or sugary foods — your body struggles to keep up. That’s when you get those cravings, energy slumps, and that frustrating cycle of feeling hungry but tired.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to cut out everything you love or go on some crazy diet.

It’s all about adding in the good stuff that helps your body manage blood sugar better — the foods that actually nourish and support you.

• Load up on leafy greens, colourful veggies, and legumes

• Include proteins like eggs, tofu, chicken, or fish

• Swap in whole grains — brown rice, oats, quinoa

• Don’t forget the healthy fats like avocado, nuts, and olive oil

When you focus on adding in these nourishing foods, you naturally start eating less of the processed stuff that spikes your blood sugar.

And it’s way easier to stick to — no restrictions, no guilt, just slow, steady changes that help your energy, mood, and blood sugar balance for the long haul.

Nourish your body, listen to it, and build habits that feel good — not ones that stress you out.

You’ve got this.