New to Diabetes and bad cravings

[coreen62]

I am pre diabetic and have been told with family history and having diabetes when I was pregnant that is almost a certainty of getting type 2. However it can be slowed down and I should cut out nearly all sugar. I'm having a real problem with this, most times I'm ok but over the past few days I have craved for chocolate or sweets, can someone help because I'm so depressed about this.

 

[Royston46]

Hi Coreen62,

My advice would be do not deprive yourself, if you crave chocolate or sweets have some but only a few its all about moderation. Good luck.

 

[novorapidboi26]

As royston said, moderation is the key..........i am not too familiar with pre diabetes and what the best course of action would be but giving your pancreas as little work/stress as possible is a good idea, so eating things that release there energy slowly would be a good choice (Low GI)

 

[Mark T]

Cut out all the sugar and eat lots of healthy carbohydrates no doubt 🙄

Diet wise you could treat your pre type 2 similarly to type 2. You don't have to completely give up chocolate - but you do want to moderate it. Giving up starches (bread, potatoes, etc) might actually be more beneficial.

I let myself have a nice chocolate pudding this weekend because I had been good for the past month.

I tend to get cravings too, but I've found it helpful to have a pot of pre-preppared chopped veg, mixed nuts and other things handy. Celery is almost enjoyable when it has philidelphia on it.

 

[Northerner]

I am pre diabetic and have been told with family history and having diabetes when I was pregnant that is almost a certainty of getting type 2. However it can be slowed down and I should cut out nearly all sugar. I'm having a real problem with this, most times I'm ok but over the past few days I have craved for chocolate or sweets, can someone help because I'm so depressed about this.

Hi Coreen, welcome to the forum 🙂 Probably the best thing you can do is act as though you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and adopt the same dietary and lifestyle changes that you would need to. This isn't as bad as it sounds! In fact, these days it is recognised that a diet suitable for people with diabetes is in fact the type of diet that everyone should be eating! Plus, increasing your activity levels and getting regular exercise will make you feel much better, fitter, and healthier 🙂 At the same time, although your focus is on avoiding diabetes, you will also be hugely reducing the risk of many other illnesses and afflictions, so it really is win-win!

OK, have I convinced you? The other good news is that you are allowed treats - it's dreadful if your quality of life is being badly affected by your cravings of 'forbidden' things. So, what you can do is be 'good' most of the time, and then allow yourself an occasional treat, like a little chocolate, when you feel you have deserved it. You will enjoy it so much more, plus your tastes will change and the cravings will not have the same power over you.

I'd suggest you get hold of a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker. Although you are not diabetic, it will teach you a great deal of how to look after yourself. Foodwise, I'd recommend getting a copy of either The GL Diet for Dummies or The GL Diet Recipe Book and Health Plan. GL (Glycaemic Load) is a flexible food plan that combines foods so that energy release is slow and steady - ideal for everyone, but especially for people who have diabetes, or as in your case, are pre-diabetic with an impaired glucose response.

Hope this helps! Please ask any questions you may have and we'll do our best to help!