New to this and this is my first post.

[Sheryl3F]

Good morning, I have been told my HbA1c levels are high and I am at the risk of having diabetes. I have another blood test being carried out in 4 weeks time and would love some advice and tips from you lovely people on how I can make my levels better.

 

[Leadinglights]

At risk is a wake up call that you should make some life style changes that will reduce your blood glucose level. It is a good idea to find out what actual HbA1C level you are as that will indicate how much you need to do, the range is between 42 and 47mmol/mol, over that will give you a diabetes diagnosis. A second blood test is often done if you are on the cusp.
The main thing you can do is reduce your intake of the foods that are the highest carbohydrate by cutting out cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks including fruit juice and reducing portion size of starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and breakfast cereals and some fruits like tropical ones.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, dairy with vegetables and fruits like berries with small portions of any high carb foods.
This link may help you with some ideas for meals and food substitutes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Some modest changes are probably all that is needed but it is better to do that gradually especially if your diet has been very carb heavy as it will minimise the risk of issues with your eyes and nerves as your body adapts.
If you are going to go down a low carb route than it is suggested that no more than 130g per day TOTAL carbs not just sugar is a good starting point. It does not mean NO carbs.
Losing weight if you need to and increasing exercise if you can all helps.
Welcome to the forum I forgot to say.

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome. 🙂

 

[Sheryl3F]

At risk is a wake up call that you should make some life style changes that will reduce your blood glucose level. It is a good idea to find out what actual HbA1C level you are as that will indicate how much you need to do, the range is between 42 and 47mmol/mol, over that will give you a diabetes diagnosis. A second blood test is often done if you are on the cusp.
The main thing you can do is reduce your intake of the foods that are the highest carbohydrate by cutting out cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks including fruit juice and reducing portion size of starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and breakfast cereals and some fruits like tropical ones.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, dairy with vegetables and fruits like berries with small portions of any high carb foods.
This link may help you with some ideas for meals and food substitutes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Some modest changes are probably all that is needed but it is better to do that gradually especially if your diet has been very carb heavy as it will minimise the risk of issues with your eyes and nerves as your body adapts.
If you are going to go down a low carb route than it is suggested that no more than 130g per day TOTAL carbs not just sugar is a good starting point. It does not mean NO carbs.
Losing weight if you need to and increasing exercise if you can all helps.
Welcome to the forum I forgot to say.

Thank you for your reply and the link, I will take time to have a good look at that. My HbA1C is 61 so from today changes will be made in the hope I can reduce that number.

 

[bulkbiker]

If you are going to go down a low carb route than it is suggested that no more than 130g per day TOTAL carbs not just sugar is a good starting point. It does not mean NO carbs.

Although it could of course be zero carb.. for some zero carb is the best solution.

There are no 'essential' carbs.

 

[Leadinglights]

Although it could of course be zero carb.. for some zero carb is the best solution.

There are no 'essential' carbs.

Yes but zero carbs would be so hard for many people they would just give up. But it is up to them what they choose, I have heard of people becoming unwell because they both reduced carbs to pretty well zero but didn't compensate by having protein and healthy fats.
It is easy for people to get the wrong end of the stick.

 

[bulkbiker]

reduced carbs to pretty well zero but didn't compensate by having protein and healthy fats.

They'd have to be starving though were that the case?

I just think that we should be more open about the many people who have been helped by "zero carb" eating.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Sheryl3F, welcome to forum.

With a HbA1C of 61 you would be classed as a diabetic so it's good that you've joined for some support.

There are many ways to manage diabetes, much which depends on your lifestyle and current site of health.

Reducing carbs is one of the main ways to get your numbers down, The most important thing is to be able to maintain it.

We've got some general info on managing your levels which you can have a look at, it includes some info on what to eat.

It may be worth keeping a food diary for a week or two and seeing if there are any swaps you can make to reduce the carbs in your diet. Do have a look at the food section of the forum and let us know if you have any questions.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is high blood sugar levels due to your body not making enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes not working properly, known as insulin resistance. High blood sugar levels over time can cause other health problems like heart attacks and strokes, as well as...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Sheryl3F]

Hi Sheryl3F, welcome to forum.

With a HbA1C of 61 you would be classed as a diabetic so it's good that you've joined for some support.

There are many ways to manage diabetes, much which depends on your lifestyle and current site of health.

Reducing carbs is one of the main ways to get your numbers down, The most important thing is to be able to maintain it.

We've got some general info on managing your levels which you can have a look at, it includes some info on what to eat.

It may be worth keeping a food diary for a week or two and seeing if there are any swaps you can make to reduce the carbs in your diet. Do have a look at the food section of the forum and let us know if you have any questions.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is high blood sugar levels due to your body not making enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes not working properly, known as insulin resistance. High blood sugar levels over time can cause other health problems like heart attacks and strokes, as well as...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Thank you for your information, I agree a good diary would be a good thing

 

[March]

Thank you for your information, I agree a good diary would be a good thing

 

[March]

Apps like fitness first help you log food
Keep track on what you’ve eaten and see carb intake for the day.
Can be confusing at start but worthwhile persevering

 

[Sheryl3F]

Apps like fitness first help you log food
Keep track on what you’ve eaten and see carb intake for the day.
Can be confusing at start but worthwhile persevering

Thank you, I will have a look at the App

 

[Saundra]

At risk is a wake up call that you should make some life style changes that will reduce your blood glucose level. It is a good idea to find out what actual HbA1C level you are as that will indicate how much you need to do, the range is between 42 and 47mmol/mol, over that will give you a diabetes diagnosis. A second blood test is often done if you are on the cusp.
The main thing you can do is reduce your intake of the foods that are the highest carbohydrate by cutting out cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks including fruit juice and reducing portion size of starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and breakfast cereals and some fruits like tropical ones.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, dairy with vegetables and fruits like berries with small portions of any high carb foods.
This link may help you with some ideas for meals and food substitutes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Some modest changes are probably all that is needed but it is better to do that gradually especially if your diet has been very carb heavy as it will minimise the risk of issues with your eyes and nerves as your body adapts.
If you are going to go down a low carb route than it is suggested that no more than 130g per day TOTAL carbs not just sugar is a good starting point. It does not mean NO carbs.
Losing weight if you need to and increasing exercise if you can all helps.
Welcome to the forum I forgot to say.

At risk is a wake up call that you should make some life style changes that will reduce your blood glucose level. It is a good idea to find out what actual HbA1C level you are as that will indicate how much you need to do, the range is between 42 and 47mmol/mol, over that will give you a diabetes diagnosis. A second blood test is often done if you are on the cusp.
The main thing you can do is reduce your intake of the foods that are the highest carbohydrate by cutting out cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks including fruit juice and reducing portion size of starchy foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and breakfast cereals and some fruits like tropical ones.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, dairy with vegetables and fruits like berries with small portions of any high carb foods.
This link may help you with some ideas for meals and food substitutes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Some modest changes are probably all that is needed but it is better to do that gradually especially if your diet has been very carb heavy as it will minimise the risk of issues with your eyes and nerves as your body adapts.
If you are going to go down a low carb route than it is suggested that no more than 130g per day TOTAL carbs not just sugar is a good starting point. It does not mean NO carbs.
Losing weight if you need to and increasing exercise if you can all helps.
Welcome to the forum I forgot to say.

Hi, I have only joined today and thanks to your post I already have an idea of what to and what not to eat, explained in simple terms, and have ordered the book from the link, it’s my husband who is pre diabetic and we both need to lose some weight!