New and fearful

[Sjane]

Hello everybody I'm new here I got a text from my doctor saying I'm prediabetes I'm 72 with rheumatoid arthritis and do not cook a lot I've been having ready meals and noticed they are high in cards and sugar at present am frightened to eat
I would so appreciate any advice you can give me thank you

 

[Lakeslover]

Hi, and welcome,

firstly and most importantly don’t panic! Pre diabetes can be managed and even reversed, and it sounds as if you have room to change your diet to help reduce your sugar levels. Did your doctor give you your actual test results? The important one is something called HbA1c. Knowing the level of that would tell you how far above normal you are, and help you decide what changes would be useful.

you are absolutely right that ready meals are full of carbs and added sugar so I suggest the first step is to cut them out if possible. Simple home cooked meals with fewer carbs would be better if you can. It’s possible to batch cook on a day you have time, freeze portions, and then you have delicious home cooked “ready” meals in the freezer. What kind of meals do you like to eat, and cook? Maybe we can help with some suggestions?

ask lots of questions here, there is always someone to help.

 

[Deleted member 475901]

On the days I don't feel well enough to cook I either have ready made curries (several are low carb enough) with cauliflower rice (frozen packs if needed), or I just put salmon or chicken pieces on to roast wrapped in foil so no washing up. I have these with packs of green veg I can just put in the microwave.
I buy roasted chicken and cheese to snack on.
On my better days I mix up a week's worth of greek yogurt with fresh raspberries.

And my home help will help me make an occasional low carb cake made with erythritol and ground almonds, she also chops up veg for me.

 

[Resurgam]

I bought one of those Halogen ovens advertised on TV - the ones with the hinged lid, they have a timer and a temperature control - though I think they are all digital now. Mine has simple dials to turn. I can do small things or large things - a chicken cooked half the time one way up, turn over and finish cooking - always juicy as it is cooked in a fairly enclosed space, but there is room for a dish of veges to roast or simmer in a dish underneath.
I do have a fair few kitchen 'toys' - a Tefal Actifry, a slow cooker, the Bamix is useful for pulverizing and blending, beating, etc. plus several different sizes of wok. Low carb cooking is not really fiddly - I get different stir fry options from Lidl and always have nixed vegetables in the freezer sometimes just toss a pack of prepared veges into a pan with some cubed meat and add stock and a little thickener, sometimes a dash of herbs or something spicy at the end to give it a bit of zing. I can keep my carbs to less than 40 gm a day but don't feel at all deprived.

 

[Sjane]

Hi, and welcome,

firstly and most importantly don’t panic! Pre diabetes can be managed and even reversed, and it sounds as if you have room to change your diet to help reduce your sugar levels. Did your doctor give you your actual test results? The important one is something called HbA1c. Knowing the level of that would tell you how far above normal you are, and help you decide what changes would be useful.

you are absolutely right that ready meals are full of carbs and added sugar so I suggest the first step is to cut them out if possible. Simple home cooked meals with fewer carbs would be better if you can. It’s possible to batch cook on a day you have time, freeze portions, and then you have delicious home cooked “ready” meals in the freezer. What kind of meals do you like to eat, and cook? Maybe we can help with some suggestions?

ask lots of questions here, there is always someone to help.

Thank you so much for replying. My gp only sent a message my last rheumatoid blood test apparently showed I'm pre diabetes.

 

[Sjane]

On the days I don't feel well enough to cook I either have ready made curries (several are low carb enough) with cauliflower rice (frozen packs if needed), or I just put salmon or chicken pieces on to roast wrapped in foil so no washing up. I have these with packs of green veg I can just put in the microwave.
I buy roasted chicken and cheese to snack on.
On my better days I mix up a week's worth of greek yogurt with fresh raspberries.

And my home help will help me make an occasional low carb cake made with erythritol and ground almonds, she also chops up veg for me.

Thank you for advice so much appreciated

 

[Sjane]

I bought one of those Halogen ovens advertised on TV - the ones with the hinged lid, they have a timer and a temperature control - though I think they are all digital now. Mine has simple dials to turn. I can do small things or large things - a chicken cooked half the time one way up, turn over and finish cooking - always juicy as it is cooked in a fairly enclosed space, but there is room for a dish of veges to roast or simmer in a dish underneath.
I do have a fair few kitchen 'toys' - a Tefal Actifry, a slow cooker, the Bamix is useful for pulverizing and blending, beating, etc. plus several different sizes of wok. Low carb cooking is not really fiddly - I get different stir fry options from Lidl and always have nixed vegetables in the freezer sometimes just toss a pack of prepared veges into a pan with some cubed meat and add stock and a little thickener, sometimes a dash of herbs or something spicy at the end to give it a bit of zing. I can keep my carbs to less than 40 gm a day but don't feel at all deprived.

You have given me some ideas thank you so much

 

[Sjane]

Hi, and welcome,

firstly and most importantly don’t panic! Pre diabetes can be managed and even reversed, and it sounds as if you have room to change your diet to help reduce your sugar levels. Did your doctor give you your actual test results? The important one is something called HbA1c. Knowing the level of that would tell you how far above normal you are, and help you decide what changes would be useful.

you are absolutely right that ready meals are full of carbs and added sugar so I suggest the first step is to cut them out if possible. Simple home cooked meals with fewer carbs would be better if you can. It’s possible to batch cook on a day you have time, freeze portions, and then you have delicious home cooked “ready” meals in the freezer. What kind of meals do you like to eat, and cook? Maybe we can help with some suggestions?

ask lots of questions here, there is always someone to help.

Your reply has so helped me not to be so frightened thank you so much

 

[mouseee]

If you're in the UK it could be worth looking at some of the prepared meals aimed at older people (not suggesting you're 'old', age is just a number!!) We looked at some for my t2 mum and they were pretty good as they were more 'freshly prepared' than shop bought ones.

 

[Sjane]

Hi, and welcome,

firstly and most importantly don’t panic! Pre diabetes can be managed and even reversed, and it sounds as if you have room to change your diet to help reduce your sugar levels. Did your doctor give you your actual test results? The important one is something called HbA1c. Knowing the level of that would tell you how far above normal you are, and help you decide what changes would be useful.

you are absolutely right that ready meals are full of carbs and added sugar so I suggest the first step is to cut them out if possible. Simple home cooked meals with fewer carbs would be better if you can. It’s possible to batch cook on a day you have time, freeze portions, and then you have delicious home cooked “ready” meals in the freezer. What kind of meals do you like to eat, and cook? Maybe we can help with some suggestions?

ask lots of questions here, there is always someone to help.

Thank you so much you have helped me more than you know take care keep safe X X x

 

[Sjane]

If you're in the UK it could be worth looking at some of the prepared meals aimed at older people (not suggesting you're 'old', age is just a number!!) We looked at some for my t2 mum and they were pretty good as they were more 'freshly prepared' than shop bought ones.

You made me smile thank you I've been low and your post has lifted me up thank you X X x

 

[Wilber123]

Hi there.
I was diagnosed pre diabetic 5/6 years ago. I now am 71.
It’s daunting, so I understand your worries.
I eat protein and salad veg and cooked veg.
Full fat yogurt and berries.
Fish without breadcrumbs or batter. There is a great deal you’ll be able to eat, The Diet Doctor online is very helpful.
I was told not to test but I purchased a meter and strips and I’m glad I did as it show how different food affect your blood sugars.
Good luck.

 

[SonjaJankowski]

Hello everybody I'm new here I got a text from my doctor saying I'm prediabetes I'm 72 with rheumatoid arthritis and do not cook a lot I've been having ready meals and noticed they are high in cards and sugar at present am frightened to eat
I would so appreciate any advice you can give me thank you

Glad to see you here. Welcome to the community. Enjoy!

 

[Geordie_P]

Just trim your carbs and you'll be alright: don't worry too much. You absolutely don't need to be frightened: I'm attaching a link from a very knowledgeable diabetes forum poster- her information will see you right!

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog/jokalsbeek.401801/