Newbie - pre-diabetic

kezza22

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Hi all, just looking for advice/experiences with pre diabetes. Had an Hbac1 of 42 out of the blue in July, went for a second test in October and it's risen to 46. The thing is (other than cutting out Sugar in my tea and coffee) looking at the advice list I was given I don't know what to try to lower it. In not over weight, normal bmi, fairly healthy diet and although I no longer run and cycle like I did I'm fairly active with work and the dog walking! I'm 48, no family history, white British. I've got next test in January.
All advice welcome -TIA
 

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,849
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Basically you can't deal with carbohydrates in your diet - and there is such a lot of pressure to consume carbs these days - because they are considered healthy - but they raise blood glucose and also increase the bodyfat of susceptible individuals.
I will tag @daisy1 for the introductory information which might throw more light on the subject - but just ask if you need clarification.
 
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Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,808
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Welcome to the Forum! You say you eat “a fairly healthy diet” can you elaborate please? Tell us what you might eat and drink in a typical day and you’ll get some advice as to what is causing your rising HbA1c.
 
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kezza22

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Welcome to the Forum! You say you eat “a fairly healthy diet” can you elaborate please? Tell us what you might eat and drink in a typical day and you’ll get some advice as to what is causing your rising HbA1c.
 

kezza22

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Thank you for the replies everyone.
I've been following a slimming world diet for a couple of years basically because it's an "healthy" lifestyle diet, fresh cooked meals, bread and dairy intake are limited and meals to contain at least a 3rd salad or veg. Hardly eat chocolate, sweets or cakes. Looking at it the only thing i can say is you can have as much pasta and potatoes as you like - I have switched to wholemeal now, but I was having pasta a couple of times a week.
Just puzzling as to the why!
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@kezza22

Hello Kezza and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding.
  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
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kezza22

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Basically you can't deal with carbohydrates in your diet - and there is such a lot of pressure to consume carbs these days - because they are considered healthy - but they raise blood glucose and also increase the bodyfat of susceptible individuals.
I will tag @daisy1 for the introductory information which might throw more light on the subject - but just ask if you need clarification.
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,808
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thank you for the replies everyone.
I've been following a slimming world diet for a couple of years basically because it's an "healthy" lifestyle diet, fresh cooked meals, bread and dairy intake are limited and meals to contain at least a 3rd salad or veg. Hardly eat chocolate, sweets or cakes. Looking at it the only thing i can say is you can have as much pasta and potatoes as you like - I have switched to wholemeal now, but I was having pasta a couple of times a week.
Just puzzling as to the why!
In my opinion you could probably benefit from cutting the amount of carbohydrates you eat. Eating the brown varieties doesn’t make much difference I’m afraid. So pasta, rice, cereals, bread are things to reduce and be careful with fruit and vegetables. Underground veggies are high carb compared with those grown over ground and some fruits can be high sugar especially bananas and other tropical fruits. The labelling on packets is brilliant these days and there are various apps you can use too.
 

jwongcsp

Well-Known Member
Messages
62
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
People who are not willing to give up sugar, starches, fizzy drinks, and processed carbohydrates.
How many bottles of beer do you drink ?
 

gardengnome42

Well-Known Member
Messages
212
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
diabetes and dieting
As Rachox said all carbohydrate brown or white is the same in the end, best avoided. Buy a copy of 'The 8 week Blood sugar Diet' by Michael Mosely. I've just bought a copy after finding myself in the same position as you. The science is fascinating, I would thoroughly recommend it.
The practice nurse I saw after a diagnosis of pre-diabetes tried to persuade me to try the NHS Eatwell Plate until I told her not to bother as those carbs were bad for diabetics. She then totally changed tack and suggested I read Michael Mosely.
I find it tragic and incomprehensible that the NHS still recommends the high carb/low fat diet that has contributed so much to obesity and diabetes since the late 1970's. Irresponsible I call it.
 
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kezza22

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
As Rachox said all carbohydrate brown or white is the same in the end, best avoided. Buy a copy of 'The 8 week Blood sugar Diet' by Michael Mosely. I've just bought a copy after finding myself in the same position as you. The science is fascinating, I would thoroughly recommend it.
The practice nurse I saw after a diagnosis of pre-diabetes tried to persuade me to try the NHS Eatwell Plate until I told her not to bother as those carbs were bad for diabetics. She then totally changed tack and suggested I read Michael Mosely.
I find it tragic and incomprehensible that the NHS still recommends the high carb/low fat diet that has contributed so much to obesity and diabetes since the late 1970's. Irresponsible I call it.
Thank you I'll certainly give it a go