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There seems to be a common misconception in newly diagnosed diabetics and others that diabetes is due to too much sugar consumption. Sugars are simple carbohydrates that our bodies require. Glucose is the most efficient form of energy that our body can access. Different sugars burn at different rates, depending on how easily their molecular bonds can be broken. The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how fast our bodies use a particular type of food to raise blood sugar. It takes into account that carbohydrate is only one component of food. I would refrain from using the glycemic index as a guide to good and bad foods. Sugar is mostly stored in the liver as glycogen. When a cell signals the need for energy, the liver readily releases its stores. Elevated blood sugars signal insulin to be released. Insulin allows the sugar to be transported into the cell.
It makes sense to eat foods like apples, milk, and raisins with low glycemic indexes. The food you eat should not cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin release. A slowly converting food keeps you satiated longer and wards off cravings. I always wonder what the origin of a craving is. We seem to crave things that are sweet or chocolaty, harmful in excess but essential. There may be a genetic basis. Hundreds of years ago, cravings led to food seeking behavior that resulted in procurements of only small amounts of the desired item. Industrialization changed all that so that cravings could be readily met with engorgement behavior.
High glycemic index (GI) foods such as most candy bars, dates and rice cakes transfer their sugar into your blood quickly. Glycemic index of various foods is measured using human volunteers and standard portions. A glycemic index now exists for the majority of foods that we consume. Foods also contain proteins and fats. The GI tells you nothing about this content. Some foods with high GI's have small carbohydrate contents and are in fact preferable. For this reason, we now also talk about the glycemic load. I prefer this value, because it multiplies GI by the proportion of carbohydrate to yield a more standard basis for comparison.
The glycemic index is one small portion of smart nutrition planning. It is possible to learn to eat sensibly but this takes effort and time, both in short supply. Pass the prunes please!!
Living the G.I. Diet
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NutriGenie Glycemic Index Diet for Windows 
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The glycemic index was first developed by Dr. David Jenkins and his team of scientists at the University of Toronto, Canada, in 1981, to help diabetics choose food.
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