welcome!
Hi! I'm Joanie
Lifelong food lover, recipe developer, Certified Health Coach, and MS in Counseling, helping you enjoy delicious food while supporting steady energy and balanced blood sugar.
The Glucose Gourmet is my virtual kitchen where I share recipes designed to support steady energy and balanced blood sugar without sacrificing flavor. From nourishing main dishes and soups to indulgent sourdough bakes, every recipe is created with real life in mind. Food should fuel us and bring joy to the table.
My Approach to Food
Meals built with protein, fiber, healthy fats, and whole ingredients can help support metabolic health while still feeling satisfying and abundant. I believe balanced eating should feel sustainable, practical, and deeply enjoyable.
Alongside my work in food and nutrition, I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling, which shapes how I think about wellness and food habits. Nutrition is not just about knowing what to eat. It is also about building routines, shaping our environment, and creating a healthy relationship with food that supports long-term wellbeing.
Food Philosophy: Balance without Restriction
I don’t believe in cutting out food groups unless health requires it. My family includes loved ones with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, celiac disease, and soy allergies. Over the years, I’ve learned how to create recipes that are inclusive, nourishing, and full of flavor.
That means you'll find:
- Blood sugar–friendly dinners packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats
- Sourdough breads and desserts that can be enjoyed in balance
- Allergy-aware recipes that still feel like comfort food
- Quick, everyday staples for busy family life
Whether it’s a cottage cheese bagel, a sourdough garlic knot, or a protein-packed slow cooker meal, the goal is: real food that works in real life.
Our Family's Blood Sugar Journey
In 2024, I hit a turning point in my health.
I was struggling with brain fog, poor sleep, painful cycles, and stubborn weight gain. I started using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) through the Levels Health app because I wanted to see whether food and lifestyle changes could improve my symptoms before turning to medication.
By focusing on meals that combined protein, healthy fats, and fiber, I began to see real changes. My energy improved, inflammation decreased, and the weight started to move without counting calories, dieting, or deprivation.
I still enjoy ice cream pie for birthdays and cinnamon rolls at Christmas. For me, it's all about nourishing my body most of the time and celebrating food all of the time.
Not long after, my husband Ryan decided to test one of my CGM devices just out of curiosity.
He’s always been active, and symptom-free. His job as a handyman keeps him moving all day, and he eats well.
But a month of data showed his glucose patterns were consistently in the pre-diabetic range, suggesting early insulin resistance.
Since then, we’ve focused on balanced meals at home while still enjoying his favorite foods through pairing, timing, and moderation. Watching his fasting glucose trend in the right direction has been incredibly encouraging.
Where I Fell in Love with Cooking
I’ve been food-obsessed since childhood, thanks to 90s PBS cooking shows. At ten years old, I was attempting homemade pasta and tandoori chicken.
Over the years, my culinary education came from:
- Dining in NYC as a newlywed on a budget (stretching dollars, exploring flavors).
- Working in Phoenix restaurants, learning from chefs and purveyors.
- Competing on Guy’s Grocery Games on Food Network.
- Years as a professional food photographer, capturing recipes for cookbooks and brands.
All of this hands-on experience shapes the recipes I develop today.
What You Can Expect Here
Every recipe on The Glucose Gourmet is:
- Well-tested (so it works in your kitchen).
- Kid-approved (my boys are my toughest critics).
- Inclusive (options for gluten-free, soy-free, and diabetic menus when possible).
Start Cooking with The Glucose Gourmet
If you're new here, a great place to start is with recipes designed to support steady energy and balanced blood sugar.
Some reader favorites include:
• Protein-forward weeknight dinners
• Gut-healthy sourdough recipes enjoyed in balance
• Quick breakfasts that keep you full for hours
Or join my newsletter for new recipes and ideas about cooking for steady energy and metabolic health.
My Approach to Nutrition Information
The recipes and articles on The Glucose Gourmet are designed to support balanced meals and steady energy using whole, nourishing ingredients.
My work draws from research on metabolic health, blood sugar balance, and nutrition science, as well as my personal experience using continuous glucose monitoring. I share recipes and educational content to help readers better understand how food choices can influence energy, satiety, and metabolic wellbeing.
While I am a Certified Health Coach and hold a Master’s degree in Counseling, the information shared here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice or individualized nutrition care. If you have a medical condition or specific dietary needs, it’s always best to consult with your healthcare provider.
Let’s Stay Connected
Thanks so much for stopping by! You can see more of my food in action on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
If you’d like to collaborate, sponsor content, or need food content for your business, email me at joanie@joaniesimonmedia.com.
And if you’re just here to cook, grab a recipe, gather your people, and let’s eat!