Newbie

[dianescott111157_47]

Hello I have just been told by my GP I am borderline for diabetes and need lifestyle changes, I am in need of recipes and inspiration,

 

[Drummer]

The most effective course of action should be to reduce the amount of carbohydrate you eat. That should reduce your Hba1c and help your metabolism recover. Basically, assess what you are eating in terms of carbohydrate content and cut down the ones with the most starch and sugar. Foods such as bread, potato and other underground vegetables, rice and other grains and tropical fruits all push up blood glucose, but as you are not yet a fully fledged diabetic reduction should have the desired effect.

 

[trophywench]

Lifestyle changes includes both moving more (aka exercise) and eating less carbohydrate in the diet generally. Do you need recipes and inspiration to eat less sugar, spuds, rice, anything with flour in it, very sweet fruit and increase the amount of green veg whilst keeping the protein element of any meal no bigger than about a packet of 20 cigarettes? (they always used to tell people that size cos most of us used to be able to relate to the size of a fag packet - if you can't visualise one at your age, I'd be surprised)

Exercise doesn't need gym membership either - vacuum the floor more energetically, get that furniture moved and vac the skirting boards, clean the bathroom, clean the window(s), do a bit of gardening, go for a walk 2 bus stops and back, walk up and down stairs a few times .... regularly!

 

[Toucan]

Hello @dianescott111157_47 and welcome to the forum.

If you cut back on sweet things, reduce your starchy carb intake, eat more leafy and low carb veggies, opt for berries rather than high carb fruits, increase your levels of activity, you should do great, and have every chance of a future free of Diabetes.

There are some recipes available on

Food/carb queries + recipes

Coming to terms with diabetes and food can be very difficult - this forum is for all your food and carbohydrate queries and a place to post your favourite recipes!

forum.diabetes.org.uk

and many other ideas in the threads in this section as well.

The 'Leaning Zone' tab at the top of this page may also be worth a look.

 

[ColinUK]

As the others have said cutting carbs is the biggie. Be ruthless with them and you should see your weight lessen and your HbA1C fall too.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @dianescott111157_47

Sorry to hear you’ve been told you are at increased risk of diabetes

Hopefully with the support of your GP and suggestions and encouragement from the forum you can make some positive and sustainable changes to help you turn this around 🙂

As others have said, the part of your diet that will be raising your BG is the carbohydrates (not just the sugars). While there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will be wanting to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

It can be a very helpful first step to keep a food diary for a week or two. Be painfully honest, and keep a note of everything you eat and drink, along with a count (or reasonable estimate) of how much carbohydrate it involves.

This can begin to highlight the meals and combinations which have the highest carb load. Working out the carb estimates can feel like a bit of a faff, but a major benefit is that you will begin to notice where carbs lurk, and which foods can be eaten relatively freely 🙂

 

[dianescott111157_47]

Thank you for all the advice, information and support , i have found it reassuring and positive.