New member

[starfish212]

I’m prediabetic and need to know what to expect and how to recognise problems. Any help would be gratefully accepted.

 

[Drummer]

@starfish212 If you reduce your blood glucose levels then you can hope for, or even expect a long, active and healthy life.

 

[starfish212]

I like my bread that’s the problem, whole grain I buy. Boiled egg for a snack, but not too many because of cholesterol. I eat Scotts porridge oats, but I’ve just read on here that granola is better, I suppose it’s what suits the individual. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Drummer]

@starfish212 Oh - you will not get raised cholesterol by eating eggs - someone checked rather than accept the accepted dogma.
I don't eat porridge or granola - not the high carb ordinary versions anyway. I have tried low carb versions, but I only made up one batch, tested and decided to go back to my usual meat and fish menu.

 

[starfish212]

I’ve lost 2 stones. I don’t really need to be so strict with my diet, because my gp said to cut out, desserts, biscuits, chocolate, cake, ice cream etc, but I think maybe to start as I mean to go on, and reduce my sugar intake right down. You seem very knowledgable about die.

 

[starfish212]

Diet ( I’m sorry)

 

[Leadinglights]

I’ve lost 2 stones. I don’t really need to be so strict with my diet, because my gp said to cut out, desserts, biscuits, chocolate, cake, ice cream etc, but I think maybe to start as I mean to go on, and reduce my sugar intake right down. You seem very knowledgable about die.

It is a misconception that it is only the things you mention which are the problem for Type 2 diabetics whereas it is ALL carbohydrates. However as you are 'at risk' then some tweaks with your diet should be sufficient to bring your levels down.
Bread, pasta, rice and cereals tend to be the main culprits so reducing the amount of those you have but increase protein and healthy fats as well as low carb veg.
Things that are regarded as 'healthy foods' are not necessarily so for Type 2 diabetics.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I don’t really need to be so strict with my diet, because my gp said to cut out, desserts, biscuits, chocolate, cake, ice cream etc, but I think maybe to start as I mean to go on, and reduce my sugar intake right down.

Well done on the amazing weight loss!

I suspect you may well be right. Were you given a result of your HbA1c when you were told you were at risk of diabetes? It’s most likely a number between 42 and 47, with 48 being the cut-off for a diabetes diagnosis.

Yes cutting back on your sweet things is going to be really helpful.

And you are right, it’s very much about what suits the individual. We have a variety of members here who have quite different tolerances of carbohydrates (some have to be much more strict than others). Additionally different people’s metabolisms and gut biomes can give rise to different reactions to foods which have a ‘slow release’ reputation. So it’s often a question of working things out as you go along.

A BG meter can be very helpful to optimise your carb choices and portion sizes. Members here often check immediately before a meal, and again 2hrs later, looking for a rise of no more than 2-3mmol/L by the 2hr mark - and ideally less than 8.5.

 

[starfish212]

I had a regular blood test, mostly for thyroid (underactive), but they must of tested blood sugar too, back in May this year, but I could only have a telephone consultation with my GP due to the pandemic at the time.

 

[starfish212]

It is a misconception that it is only the things you mention which are the problem for Type 2 diabetics whereas it is ALL carbohydrates. However as you are 'at risk' then some tweaks with your diet should be sufficient to bring your levels down.
Bread, pasta, rice and cereals tend to be the main culprits so reducing the amount of those you have but increase protein and healthy fats as well as low carb veg.
Things that are regarded as 'healthy foods' are not necessarily so for Type 2 diabetics.

Thank you Leadinlights, I count every gram of sugar in the carbohydrates.

 

[trophywench]

Yeah, but you're sposed to count ALL the carbohydrate, not just those from sugar!

 

[janw]

Hi @starfish212 and welcome.
Carbs = sugar and are in most everything we eat, even lettuce, but some are higher than others, and how we react to it is often different. The highest carbs are found in bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, most vegetables that grow beneath the ground, most fruits except berries, oats, cakes, pastries etc etc. Eggs are 0 carbs, butter is 0 carbs, meat and fish are 0 carbs. We try and find alternatives to the highest carbs, there are many hints and tips about.
Most of us use the BG meter to test our level before and after meals, that helps us see what is okay for us, what we might need to eat less of or stop eating - keeping a food diary (many online ones have free versions that are good) - these help us type 2s to see how we are doing and keep within our personal daily limits. It is trial and error to begin with.
If you look up low-carb or keto recipes they will give you a better idea of what we can eat and some alternatives - and check out the "what did you eat yesterday" thread to get an idea of what type 2s have.
If you have any questions, just fire away - I'm still learning, but I've learned a lot on my journey so far.

 

[starfish212]

Thank you all, I understand now, food too high in carbohydrate regardless of low sugar isn’t any good to me, so what about a healthy crisp bread instead of whole grain bread. I will look up the what did you eat yesterday thread, that should give me an insight.