Pre Diabetes

[Bunny]

Hello

I'm a 69-year old female and have had a reading of 44 for a couple of years, but now my doctor has given me a bit of an ultimatum (and probably quite rightly so), that I either lose some weight (2 stone) and eat healthier or else. (I do eat a lot of fruit and veg and don't drink or smoke). However, I will snack. My father and his mother were both extremely obese and both had diabetes from an early age. You would think I would see this coming - and I probably did if truth be told - but I have definitely put my head in thee sand. Joining this group has been a huge step as it means I have acknowledged what is happening and intend to focus now on reducing the reading. My blood pressure is raised as well, probably because of the extra weight. Like many others, the various Lockdowns have not helped as I've been given more chance to eat and I definitely think too much about everything, which leaves me a bit low at times.

All the above sounds a bit dreary doesn't it; but I am normally very positive and love to walk, garden and read. My partner is very supportive and will help me 100% with any endeavour I undertake.

 

[Leadinglights]

This was pretty well my situation, 69 prediabetic for several years but when I retired I was not doing the amount of exercise as my job was very active and being at home the piece of cake with the afternoon cuppa was my downfall and was pushed into the diabetic zone but just at 50mmol/mol last June and a lot more weight to lose than you. I immediately adopted a low carbohydrate diet cutting out potatoes, pasta, rice and reduced the bread and cereals as well as tropical fruits and obviously cakes and biscuits and crisps. Making lower carb substitutes and basing meals on meat ,fish, eggs, cheese and veg and salad. Walking daily 3-4 miles has become routine. I lost 10kg fairly quickly but am struggling with the rest but HbA1C is now 36mmol/mol
There is no need for your meals to be boring, I do not feel deprived at all. Have a look at the thread What did you eat yesterday for ideas of what people with Type 2 have. Baring in mind you are only prediabetic you may only need to reduce your portion size of the higher carb foods.
The Book Carbs and Cals (or app) is excellent for guidance on the carb value of a whole range of foods and will help you make some better choices.
Keeping a food diary really help you to track just what you are having food and drink wise and see where you can make some savings. Fats and protein are not a problem in that they don't increase your blood glucose so as long as you reduce the carbohydrates then increasing your fat will help to stop feeling hungry, also low fat products tend to have higher carbs.
But just take it day by day and making some small tweaks will hopefully be enough.
Welcome to the forum by the way, there are some super helpful people on here who will point you to some links but do look at the learning zone for info as well.

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place. 🙂

 

[Bunny]

This was pretty well my situation, 69 prediabetic for several years but when I retired I was not doing the amount of exercise as my job was very active and being at home the piece of cake with the afternoon cuppa was my downfall and was pushed into the diabetic zone but just at 50mmol/mol last June and a lot more weight to lose than you. I immediately adopted a low carbohydrate diet cutting out potatoes, pasta, rice and reduced the bread and cereals as well as tropical fruits and obviously cakes and biscuits and crisps. Making lower carb substitutes and basing meals on meat ,fish, eggs, cheese and veg and salad. Walking daily 3-4 miles has become routine. I lost 10kg fairly quickly but am struggling with the rest but HbA1C is now 36mmol/mol
There is no need for your meals to be boring, I do not feel deprived at all. Have a look at the thread What did you eat yesterday for ideas of what people with Type 2 have. Baring in mind you are only prediabetic you may only need to reduce your portion size of the higher carb foods.
The Book Carbs and Cals (or app) is excellent for guidance on the carb value of a whole range of foods and will help you make some better choices.
Keeping a food diary really help you to track just what you are having food and drink wise and see where you can make some savings. Fats and protein are not a problem in that they don't increase your blood glucose so as long as you reduce the carbohydrates then increasing your fat will help to stop feeling hungry, also low fat products tend to have higher carbs.
But just take it day by day and making some small tweaks will hopefully be enough.
Welcome to the forum by the way, there are some super helpful people on here who will point you to some links but do look at the learning zone for info as well.

This is such a positive reply! Thank you very much for all the useful tips. Yes, I've definitely been eating too much bread, so will have to tweak that. I'll have a look at the 'what did you eat yesterday' blog next and 'The Book Carbs and Cals' looks useful. Good luck with your journey.

 

[Bunny]

Hello and welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place. 🙂

Thank you Birdy! Yes, I'm very happy to have joined the forum.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Bunny 🙂

Glad you have joined us! Feel free to ask away with any questions you have, we have lots of friendly folks here with all sorts of amounts of diabetes mileage under their belts, and no question will be thought of as too obvious or ‘silly’.

As @Leadinglights has said, the ‘what did you eat yesterday’ thread is full of ideas of meals that others are choosing, with all sorts of different levels of carbohydrate.

You might also find the ‘useful links’ thread full of very handy links and information:

Useful links for people new to diabetes

These links provide useful information, particularly to those newly-diagnosed. You can also browse the Recommended Books and Links sections for further information :) Contents: Type 1 Section Insulin Pumps Section Type 2 Section General Help and Information Section Complications and screening...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Bunny]

Welcome to the forum @Bunny 🙂

Glad you have joined us! Feel free to ask away with any questions you have, we have lots of friendly folks here with all sorts of amounts of diabetes mileage under their belts, and no question will be thought of as too obvious or ‘silly’.

As @Leadinglights has said, the ‘what did you eat yesterday’ thread is full of ideas of meals that others are choosing, with all sorts of different levels of carbohydrate.

You might also find the ‘useful links’ thread full of very handy links and information:

Useful links for people new to diabetes

These links provide useful information, particularly to those newly-diagnosed. You can also browse the Recommended Books and Links sections for further information :) Contents: Type 1 Section Insulin Pumps Section Type 2 Section General Help and Information Section Complications and screening...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

Thank you for your positive note! Much appreciated.