My name is Lamin newbie here just found out I am at high risk of getting diabetes only just turn 40 and I do not have any idea how to prevent not getting diabetes I am currently reading loads of stuffs from nhs website, google and YouTube. I join here for a more hand on advice and guidance with regards to life changing decisions on life style and healthy eating habits, what to eat what not to eat etc. Thanks in advance to everyone willing and ready to extend helpful hand to assist me navigating through.
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Newbie here
- Thread starter LangK
- Start date
- Status
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @LangK
Sorry to hear you've been told you are at risk of diabetes. Were you given the result of your HbA1c check? This is likely to be a number between 42 and 47mmol/mol, and can help you understand how close to the edge of diabetes territory you may currently be cruising.
Try not to be too hard on yourself, news like this can come as a bit of a shock, and society and the media paints a simplistic (and often very negative and stigmatising) view of how people get to develop type 2 diabetes which can be very unhelpful.
What matters more is how you respond to the news, and take on the challenge, making sustainable changes towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.
In general it is going to be the total carbohydrate content (not just 'of which sugars') of your meals that you will need to be mindful of. While there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.
That doesn't mean you have to avoid those things entirely - but making reductions to portion sizes and looking for swaps and alternatives can be really helpful.
As an example, breakfast time is often one of the trickiest times of day BG-wise, so rather than a whole bowl of cereal, some members here switch to a creamy Greek yoghurt with some berries (fresh or frozen - berries are often the kindest fruits as far as blood glucose is concerned) and then a sprinkle of granola for crunch and texture. It's satisfying and easy to put together in a busy morning, but has only a fraction of the total carb load of a regular cereal breakfast.
There are lots of meal suggestions in the Food and Carb Queries section of the forum where members share their ideas.
This thread is an example:
Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
Sorry to hear you've been told you are at risk of diabetes. Were you given the result of your HbA1c check? This is likely to be a number between 42 and 47mmol/mol, and can help you understand how close to the edge of diabetes territory you may currently be cruising.
Try not to be too hard on yourself, news like this can come as a bit of a shock, and society and the media paints a simplistic (and often very negative and stigmatising) view of how people get to develop type 2 diabetes which can be very unhelpful.
What matters more is how you respond to the news, and take on the challenge, making sustainable changes towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.
In general it is going to be the total carbohydrate content (not just 'of which sugars') of your meals that you will need to be mindful of. While there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.
That doesn't mean you have to avoid those things entirely - but making reductions to portion sizes and looking for swaps and alternatives can be really helpful.
As an example, breakfast time is often one of the trickiest times of day BG-wise, so rather than a whole bowl of cereal, some members here switch to a creamy Greek yoghurt with some berries (fresh or frozen - berries are often the kindest fruits as far as blood glucose is concerned) and then a sprinkle of granola for crunch and texture. It's satisfying and easy to put together in a busy morning, but has only a fraction of the total carb load of a regular cereal breakfast.
There are lots of meal suggestions in the Food and Carb Queries section of the forum where members share their ideas.
This thread is an example:
Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Just to add to the brilliant advice above but if you need to lose weight or even if you don't then this link might give you some ideas as well. It is a low carb approach which many have found successful. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Ciara DUK
Supporter Care Advisor
Hi @LangK , and welcome to the forum 🙂
Sorry you've had to join us, how are you getting on today? As other replies have said, this is a really welcoming and understanding community, so we hope you find some information here that helps you out.
The linked thread from @everydayupsanddowns is where I would've suggested taking a look too, and forum has lots of other threads to explore at your own pace.
It's completely natural to be feeling a bit overwhelmed, please feel free to say more about how you're feeling should you find it helps.
Just checking in to say we're here for any questions you may have 🙂
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