Diagnosed pre- diabetic

I was diagnosed pre-diabetic 2 years ago. I think this stemmed from relying on ready meals and ‘comfort food’ when I had back problems and couldn’t cook nor exercise. Michael Mosley’s written The 8-week Blood Sugar Diet which you should be able to get from the library. Although I don’t need to lose weight, I found the information helpful and used some of the recipes.
Has your GP recommended a diabetes prevention course? I know the NHS runs these in a lot of areas. You can find links to courses on the NHS website
I now try to avoid foods with sugar and read all the labels. It’s frightening how many pre-packaged meals contain sugar, the stuff seems to get into everything.
My brother was also told he was pre-diabetic and finds exercise helps, he prefers walking to the gym.
Good luck and fingers crossed it’s just a temporary problem

I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic about 3 months ago so have been following a diet since then to avoid raising my blood sugar levels, though I won't really know until I'm re-tested which will be Jan next year. I've cut out all added sugar (and looking back I think I was having far more chocolate and cakes than I thought I was!) and reduced carbs, increased veg and been careful about any alcohol. I've found the Facebook site UK Prediabetes Support Group very helpful, with a clear steer from a dietician who started it, but also interesting discussions. The first 4 weeks of changing your diet are the worst ones, so stick with it! I'm also supposed to be on the NHS Diabetes Prevention Course but that has been postponed several times and has taken a long time to get going, though I have heard they are very good.

I'm highly motivated to do everything I can so that I'm not going to be diabetic and I've found if I keep reminding myself about that, it's all a lot easier than diets in the past which have been for weight loss. Vodka and tonic also helps you feel less badly done by...

It shocked me when I had this diagnosis too. Although I totally deserved it considering my sweet tooth.
So I went all out to quit sugar, cold turkey….no sweets, cakes, biscuits, or anything processed with a carbohydrate reading of sugars more than 10gs per 100gs. I also avoided all underground vegetables in favour of overground ones. ( less carbs). I still ate some fruit. It worked.
I now use cinnamon a lot as it’s supposed to help reduce blood sugars and it’s always on my mind as I’m finding myself slipping back in my sugar ways which I really don’t need.

Blood tests about 6 years ago revealed I was pre diabetic but I only found out about it following blood tests a year later when I was told my glucose levels had gone down and I was no longer pre diabetic. I don't have a sweet tooth and don't eat a lot of sweet things apart from an occasional craving for chocolate ('intuitive eating'?!). I had made 2 changes to my diet in the intervening year - giving up dairy and changing to porridge for breakfast. Perhaps these changes made a difference but who knows?

I've been up and down for years with my blood sugar , finally got it under control now . Ŕefined carbs are a no no for me , so no white bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries , sausage rolls etc. I have porridge with blue berries or raspberries for breakfast, wholemeal bread with cold meats and salad for lunch. Chicken or fish for dinner with veggies

Dh was diagnosed pre diabetic after drinking Irn Bru over a period of weeks and then my kindly neighbour made him a junket but saturated it with sugar! Not surprising his blood sugar went through the roof. Since then he had major heart surgery and refuses to accept he is diabetic and won’t go back to the GP so what can you do? He has no symptoms and takes no sugar and I’ve cut back his carbs.

Cutting out certain foods seems to me both unnecessary and possibly harmful to both physical health and mental well-being. The key is moderation - even the Diabetes UK website says you can eat “anything”. The truth is that many of us eat too many processed foods, refined carbohydrates and not a healthy varied diet and are also not active enough.

There are many websites which provide low-carb recipes so you don't have to give up “treats” such as cakes and desserts, just need to make them with different ingredients.

Reduce your carb intake. The Diabetes UK site is full of information and should be able to help you.

I'm afraid that going 'cold turkey' is my only way with sugary things. I agree that nothing is off limits and no food is 'bad' but it depends how you do things and personally I'm better off cultivating a taste for garlic, cheese, chilli and herbs etc, rather than finding ways to appease my sweet tooth.

If you can manage it intermittent fasting has a good effect on blood sugar. There are numerous plans. 5/2. Eat.
Low calorie 2 days a week. Or I do 16:8. I eat in an 8 hour slot and fast the rest. As most of this is when I am asleep, it is very easy.
I should add that I have never been hungry and my blood sugar has remained below diabetic level now, for the past eight years

I agree with you Sarnia regarding the carbs.

Until I had a pre diabetic diagnosis 18 months ago I was unaware of the carbs that are in milk. If you have several cups of tea/coffee a day they will mount up. I changed my coffee shop lattes and cappuccinos to an Americano and tightened up my diet where too many snacks had crept in. 6 months later after having a blood test for another health issue my levels had come down significantly and my GP said keep doing what you’re doing.

I didn’t find the help offered a lot of use. I had asked for some advice regarding hidden sugars in foods etc. I waited about 3 months for an telephone consultation with a NHS dietitian who told me they can’t tell people what and what not to eat. The only thing she advised was not to eat bananas that were overripe as they contained more sugar. Well I never 😬

muckandnettles

I'm afraid that going 'cold turkey' is my only way with sugary things. I agree that nothing is off limits and no food is 'bad' but it depends how you do things and personally I'm better off cultivating a taste for garlic, cheese, chilli and herbs etc, rather than finding ways to appease my sweet tooth.

I agree with you. I've had T2 diabetes for half my life, but it's always been well-controlled. I avoid all obviously sweet things like the plague and my diet is low carb (ie carbs not just sugar).

I don't even try to find alternatives - I just avoid them and have developed low carb eating habits. There's no point having half a low sugar biscuit because I actually want the whole packet, so I don't want to be tempted.

A few times a year, I indulge and eat something really bad for me, like an enormous piece of chocolate cake.

Grandmadinosaur

I agree with you Sarnia regarding the carbs.

Until I had a pre diabetic diagnosis 18 months ago I was unaware of the carbs that are in milk. If you have several cups of tea/coffee a day they will mount up. I changed my coffee shop lattes and cappuccinos to an Americano and tightened up my diet where too many snacks had crept in. 6 months later after having a blood test for another health issue my levels had come down significantly and my GP said keep doing what you’re doing.

I didn’t find the help offered a lot of use. I had asked for some advice regarding hidden sugars in foods etc. I waited about 3 months for an telephone consultation with a NHS dietitian who told me they can’t tell people what and what not to eat. The only thing she advised was not to eat bananas that were overripe as they contained more sugar. Well I never 😬

The worst thing NHS dieticians do is tell people to fill up on starchy carbs.

Bananas are one of the most sugary fruits - berries and apples or pears are better. However, if the choice is between a banana and chocolate brownie, go for the banana.

growstuff I do eat a lot of berries and pears. The other fruits which are high sugar wise are tropical ones like melon, pineapple etc which I love.

I've been pre diabetic for years.
I was keen to reduce my sugar levels at first and kept a journal recording before and after sugar levels for the different meals I ate.
I still don't eat or occasionally eat certain foods which did raise the levels but to be honest I'm still prediabetic.
I don't think it's possible for me to have a normal reading no matter what I eat.
I have my bloods taken once a year and it always comes back as expected pre-diabetic.

You could always get yourself a blood glucose monitor to help identify the foods that spike your levels.

Continuation
I forgot to add, I have thought that perhaps my insulin levels in my 70s may have caused the prediabetic state. At almost 80 now I reckon it is another part of getting older. I may be wrong on this but our bodies do not work so well in old age. I have lots of things wrong with me now that I didn't have 10 years ago.

Grandmadinosaur

growstuff I do eat a lot of berries and pears. The other fruits which are high sugar wise are tropical ones like melon, pineapple etc which I love.

Just have them occasionally and only in small portions.

I love them too, but usually avoid them.

jeanie99

Continuation
I forgot to add, I have thought that perhaps my insulin levels in my 70s may have caused the prediabetic state. At almost 80 now I reckon it is another part of getting older. I may be wrong on this but our bodies do not work so well in old age. I have lots of things wrong with me now that I didn't have 10 years ago.

Have you had it confirmed that your insulin levels are high?

What usually happens is that you develop insulin resistance when the body can't access the glucose in your blood. The pancreas produces more insulin to help the process, but unless the insulin resistance improves, the pancreas just keeps on producing insulin until it wears out.

One thing you could do is move more. Even if you can't exercise, there are chair exercises you can do.

I was told about five years ago I was just pre diabetic as an X dietitian I was a bit indignant as thought I ate pretty well
I think there is a bit more too it
Easy I said to myself cut the odd bit of chocolate and biscuit. Dropped the two kilo I had put on over the years Back down to BMI of 20.5 I have always been fairly fit but started doing an extra 2 - 3 mile Brisk walk most days. After 6 months I waited keenly for my blood results Hadn’t budged at all

Move on a bit hips packed up developed vasculitis put on steroids. Had dissected aorta repair. Inactive and dependent on crutches till got new hips. What I ate was not always my priority
Again bloods remained stubbornly the same
Back fit and healthy and still no change.
So what is the answer. I wish I knew

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Gwyllt

I was told about five years ago I was just pre diabetic as an X dietitian I was a bit indignant as thought I ate pretty well
I think there is a bit more too it
Easy I said to myself cut the odd bit of chocolate and biscuit. Dropped the two kilo I had put on over the years Back down to BMI of 20.5 I have always been fairly fit but started doing an extra 2 - 3 mile Brisk walk most days. After 6 months I waited keenly for my blood results Hadn’t budged at all

Move on a bit hips packed up developed vasculitis put on steroids. Had dissected aorta repair. Inactive and dependent on crutches till got new hips. What I ate was not always my priority
Again bloods remained stubbornly the same
Back fit and healthy and still no change.
So what is the answer. I wish I knew

Invent a time machine!

Your body functions less well as you age. You can slow down the process, but you can't stop it. Imagine what your HbA1c would be now, if you didn't eat well.

My husband has to watch what he eats and drinks, he’s not been diagnosed Type 2 but has most of the symptoms. He exercises more, goes to the gym 3 days a week, has smaller meals, restricted alcohol. I eat a low carb diet myself so it fits in well and I don’t have to nag him, for a man he's pretty good about health issues.