I have been diagnosed Pre- Diabetic over a year ago. I have been keeping it under control with diet so far, but, went to the doctor today and seems like I am losing the battle. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions that might help me win the battle. I was drinking margaritas and wine is that a no no? I had been on a low carb diet, but, doc said not to eat red meat.. Does anyone have any diet suggestions? What I should and should not eat.... Please Help.. Thanks!

you need to have a well balanced meal and keeping the carbs low is good to keep your sugar down , but don't stop carbs altogether. look up a gi (Glycemic index) on which carbs push your sugar up fast and which are slow acting, try lots of salads and lots of exercise.
You need to get to know yoou gi and work it.
Drink lots of water :D

There are about as many approaches to pre-diabetes as there are opinions. With pre-diabetes you do have the opportunity to turn it around. Well, some pre-diabetics will be able to turn it around.

Going low carb is necessary to control your blood sugars. You did not mention what they are. If you are not checking them then you should consider it. Everything you eat will have some effect on your blood sugar. Even things without sugar in them can have some effect on you. A full stomach will cause blood sugars to rise. Your body has a mind of its own, so to speak.

There are different approaches to drinking water. I drink a lot because of a kidney stone problem that is always waiting to kick my butt. Others feel the over driving of you kidney is ill advised. The best thing you can do is take the load off your system so you do not get the complications that at your door. The main thing is to take the load off your beta cells so they do not burn out. I am not so sure that a pre-diabetic has the same beta cell burnout as a type 2 does. Pre-diabetics do have a higher risk of heart problems and other problems so you have to proctect yourself just as if you were to be type 2. Research everything you can about the water issue and the diet part. I always suggest google Richard K Bernstein and you will see many places to research further.

Exercise is critical to all type 2 and pre-diabetics. It is not just a good idea. It is part of the program. Some research has shown that proper exercise has been able to give the same effects as some medications. That is considerable considering that you can do that yourself and you control it.

Thanks for the info. I did just have an ablation on my heart, so maybe that caused things to go out of line. What do you all think? I had the ablation on 12/2/05 and went to my regular doctor on 12/6/05. That is where I found out that my ratio went from a 5.9 to a 6.3. I probably should have postponed my regular doctor's visit until I had recovered more from my surgery. My sugar was tested on 12/2/05, before surgery and registered 105. The nurses said that was ok. I thought that was high. I am so confused about what is good and what is bad.

I don't know what you mean by 'ablation on the heart'

When the nurse said that 105 was ok she was speaking in relative terms, most likely. 105 is not bad, it is only a tad above the high normal. These numbers are all relative to what is going on in your life at that moment.

Fox,
First of all, an A1c represents your average blood glucose levels (24/7) over the past 8-12 weeks. While it is somewhat heavily weighted towards the most recent few weeks, the ablation would not have changed your A1c. What it could have done was raised your blood sugar levels for a day or two due to stress, but it wouldn't have made much of a difference on the A1c.

If you must have some alcohol (and frankly, most diabetics should do without), stick to a white wine or a dry red. Margaritas contain a LOT of sugar in the mix, and can raise your blood sugar levels dramatically.

As to what you should or should not eat, you might want to ask your doctor to refer you to a Registered Dietician (RD) who can assist you in determining a food plan that works for you. If the ablation was to clear up fatty deposits, I can see why your doctor may have warned you off red meat, but there are some very lean cuts of red meat that you could have occasionally. An RD can not only work out a food plan for you, he or she can give you tips on meal planning, snacking, etc.

Type 2 diabetes is often a progressive disease. For some people, no matter how motivated they are and how well they stick to their food/exercise plan, there will come a time when they will need the assistance of oral medication or even insulin. However, those steps can often be put off for years with aggressive management.

Your A1c of 6.3 is definitely of concern, and indicates that you may be getting to the point where you will need oral medications. Before you panic, however, I'd see the dietician and work out a meal plan, then have your doctor do a follow up A1c within 3 months. An A1c of 6.3 indicates an average blood glucose of 123, which isn't awful, but it isn't great, either. If it goes up more, you and your doctor definitely might want to consider starting some oral medication. Today's oral meds can really help slow the progression of the illness dramatically.

Ruth

Thanks for the info SamQKitty and desertdiabetic. I am going to stay away from the Margaritas and stick to White Zinfadel (not sure on spelling) if I need something to drink. Margaritas are something that I added in the past few months so I really think that it was the culprit. I was drinking alot and often. I did have an IV in for my heart ablation as well, I wonder if that could have added to my sugar???? It was some kind of clear liquid. I forget the name of it. I am scheduled to have another blood test in 3 months. I know I can eat vegetables, fish, chicken, turkey. I guess I will try and stick to that. No, the ablation was not to clear up fatty acids. An ablation was done to control an electrical problem that I had with my heart. My heart would kick into rapid heart beat called SVT. That problem has been corrected. Again, thanks for the info you both sound very knowledgeable. Take care and Happy Holidays!

I have been diagnosed Pre- Diabetic over a year ago. I have been keeping it under control with diet so far, but, went to the doctor today and seems like I am losing the battle. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions that might help me win the battle. I was drinking margaritas and wine is that a no no? I had been on a low carb diet, but,( doc said not to eat red meat..) Does anyone have any diet suggestions? What I should and should not eat.... Please Help.. Thanks!
Why not have Chicken, Alaskan Salmon and /or Egg Whites instead of Red Meat !! later!!

Fox,
I should have realized the ablation was for electrical...my cousin had that done a few years back. I thought they did those more for atrial fibs, though, than for SVT. I've had a couple of episodes of SVT myself, but IV cardizem stopped them, and since they were years apart, nothing to worry about, I guess.

As for the drinking, though...regardless of what you drink, "a lot and often" isn't good for a diabetic. An occasional glass of white zin is fine, but "occasional" is the operative word here.

Also, do see a dietician...I think you'll find it very helpful.

Ruth

Thanks Ruth! I have completely stopped my drinking. Where can I find a dietician and what would they do differently than a regular doctor? Do they set up meal plans for you?

I just had another surgery done, which was totally unexpected. I had them test my sugar before hand. They told me it was 126. I about hit the floor! I could not believe it was so high!! It has never been that high that I know of!!! I am told that stress can raise your sugar. I hope that is true! I was really stressed about this surgery! Much more than the one I had on 12/2/05. Does anyone know when and if your sugar goes back down after surgery and how long it takes??? That really scared me!!!!!

A couple of fasting bg's at 126 would be enough to say that you are diabetic, so I would get some follow-up fasting bg's done. Sure, stress could have brought it up, but here's the thing, Fox...if everytime you're stressed your bg is going up, then you absolutely HAVE to deal with the elevated blood sugars.

Your doctor (primary care or endocrinologist, if you have one) can refer you to a registered dietician and yes, an RD will definitely be able to help you with meal plans.

Another thing you should know is that Type 2 diabetes is often a progressive illness. Usually it starts with insulin resistance. For a while (sometimes even years) your pancreas can produce enough extra insulin to compensate for the insulin resistance but eventually, the beta cells in the pancreas start wearing out. Some of them will die altogether. At that point, your body is no longer producing enough insulin.

The newer medications such as Avandia and Metformin work by reducing your body's insulin resistance. They are not only excellent for getting your blood sugars under control, but they actually help slow the progression of the illness by reducing your insulin needs, thus sparing the beta cells in the pancreas. If diet and exercise no longer work for you, please do not consider yourself a "failure", but rather do the sensible thing and get some help via oral medications.

Of course, you could still try diet and, if you're able to with your other physical problems, exercise for a few more months, especially after some consultation with an RD, but don't just keep delaying medications for too long because it may actually cause you to need insulin sooner, rather than later.

Ruth

Thanks Ruth! I will check into it. Take care and thanks for all your help!

Good luck Fox, and come back and let us know how you're doing.

Ruth

...I'm one of the ones who has insulin resistance, and a diet based on the glycemic index has helped me tremendously. It has also helped a friend of mine who has type 2 diabetes. His Dr has been able to reduce his metformin dosage in half since he's been on the diet.

...It's not a low carb diet but a diet where you choos your carbs based on how they effect your metabolism. A high index number means it will spike your insulin/blood sugar greatly and the lower the number the less effect it will have. An index of 100 represents the effect that eating pure glucose would have.

...White starches can have a bigger impact on blood sugar and insulin responses than table sugar, which is why the index was developed.
Rick

I'm pre-diabetic, more or less, and here's my contribution: Extreme stress can push your blood sugar up a lot: I'm not sure that's important. But a normal fasting blood sugar is not enough; you need to know how much eating pushes your number up. A low-carb diet (meaning very little white food--sugar, flour, rice, potatoes) can keep your blood sugar very level and normal, if you also avoid really big meals. Eat your veggies and don't overdo the red meat--the occasional steak doesn't make much difference. Oranges and bannanas have to go. A little wine helps, a lot of liquor really hurts. Exercise and esp. weight loss (the gut in particular) help. I'm convinced that for most people carbs, esp. refined carbs, are the culprit, and you have to cut them way back to have a chance to beat this thing.

Thanks Pal7778, I have completely stopped drinking except for a glass of wine now and then. I think that (drinking margaritas) plus the stress of surgery gave my last blood reading a bad report. At the beginning of my pre-diabetic diagnosis I had a 5.7 then six months later a 5.9 and last on 12/6/05, four days after surgery, I was 6.3. Pal7778, what do you eat for breakfast? I have been eating a boiled egg every morning for over a year. I don't know what else to eat without being high in carbs. I did get some of those SB diet cereal bars. Do you have any suggestions? I do eat a lot of Salad... No fruit at all and green beans when I eat vegetables. I have been eating more chicken than red meat. I have had potatoes now and then. French Fries or mashed usually, but, not a lot. I will cut them out completely.
Would you please define refined carbs. I take that to mean pretty much anything in a box right? Any menu suggestions would be appreciated, especially if you are beating it! Thanks for your help!!

Let the potatoes go. Refined carbs means anything made with white flour or white sugar, and especially with both. For breakfast, an egg is a good idea. Another is to
eat something whole grain by itself, like oatmeal or a (real) whole grain bagel. For the
record, eggs and bacon are fine for our purposes. Get tough on this, I loss sixty pounds while eating more than I've ever eaten in my life. If you skip the veggies you can lose more quickly, but that's pretty risky. You pretty much have to eat meat to make this work, so don't be afraid to do so. Bring some fish in too. On the fruit front,
strawberries and similar fruit are ok, they're low carb, low glycemic...; an occasional apple is not terrible. Forget about those diet bars and processed stuff like that in general. Well, that's all the advice I have. I really think this low carb approach works.

Thanks for the info Pal7778! What do you mean by a (real) whole grain bagel? I would love to add bagels to my menu, but thought they were off limits. What kind of Oatmeal? I have looked at instant and found instant Oatmeal to be very high in carbs because of the sugar.

Oatmeal: Real Quaker oats, not instant. Real whole grain bagel means one that contains no refined (white) flour at all. Unrefined carbs eaten by themselves are ok,
they're low glycemic and contain lots of fiber. Let me repeat: Don't eat fat or sugar
with them. No cream cheese etc. The carbs activate the fat, as it were. For maximum weight loss, no carbs at all. Eat bacon and eggs or leftovers for breakfast.
For pre-diabetic blood sugar control, some carbs (whole grains, veggies, strawberries) are ok, avoid the starches and refined carbs ("white food") completely. Good bakeries--including good chains (like Panera bread in the South, Einstein bagels etc.) have whole grain bagels. Do not eat the so-called "reduced carb" bagels if they are made of white flour. Other unsolicited advice: Don't even begin to starve or even deprive yourself. Eat lots of relatively small meals to level out your blood sugar. And finally,
there's considerable evidence that caffeine fends off diabetes--say four cups of coffee spaced out throughout the day.

You are pretty much talking Atkins when you say "No carbs at all" aren't you? I have lost about 50 pounds since I started this over a year ago. But, my weight loss has slowed down to nothing in the past 6 months. If the key to beating this is losing weight, then that might be why I didn't have a good report last time I was at the Doc's office. I just recently have been able to start consuming caffeine again. So, I am experimenting with some teas (green tea) and coffees. I will try and consume at least four cups a day like you suggested. The bagel I am confused about. I thought they were really high in carbs no matter what kind you got. For the oatmeal, do you add artificial sweetners then? I have heard bad press about them even tho I do consume it. Heck if you do and heck if you don't I guess. Thanks for the advise. If you have any more suggestions for menus, I would appreciate it.

You know, it comes down to what kind of control you want to maintain. Or what range of "normal" you accept. Or, it matters if you think that normal for a diabetic is the same as normal for non-diabetics. The medical profession seems to think that there is a different normal for us and "normal" folks. Sometimes I think they are just being practical about it and giving us goals that they think we can achieve, not what we should achieve. Doctors have had little to say about what their patients eat, for the most part, for ever. Medical schools don't teach the information that they need to know to treat with diet. That part of the treatment program is left up to the patient(us). Ad to that we have a food industry that says anything on the label that will attract customers and put in whatever they want anyway. Glucerna says right on the front of the package, "Safe for diabetics" and then lists 13 grams of sugar.

You have to find the diet that fits your way of thinking. People call low carb "Atkins" where it really is just what it says low carb. The first known low carb book was published back in something like 1860. Atkins just has media on his side. He may approach diet differently than other people who talk low carb, but he is not the only only nor the first.

Personally, I(isn't all 'I' personally?) believe in very low carb becuase I want to control at the normal range(65-99 before meals - more like 90) with a rise of not more than perhaps 20 to 25. Not an easy task and still not done everyday yet. But still a goal that requires low carb and less of ..... well, less.

OK my friend you have asked and you are getting it. Hope my spelling is up for the task.

My husband was 4 points from being a diabetic in July of this year. Received the information in the mail and called the Internal Medicine Doctor. Wanted him in immediately. She said wait until he goes over the number and then they would treat him for diabetes. I was livid. I could not believe what was being told me. I said I want this under control and she said probably could not but to watch his diet. I still was furious and made an appointment for him with the Nutrition Expert for August 4th. Went with him. There our new life began: I say this as it was at this time I joined him as a diabetic and will for the rest of my life. I adore him and he would do the same for me. First his weight was too high. He weighed in at 267. He should be 200 as he is 5 ' 10" tall and that is far as he would ever go down again, he says. She agreed. Then it was my turn. Well my weight is just fine as long as I am playing Center for the Green Bay Packers in full uniform with pads. So I, too, joined the diet list.

She put "us" on a 230 carbohydrate diet. That is what I use and have used as my guideline. I have lists and lists. I keep scores of tablets full of what we eat each day. I have gone to equal instead of sugar. Love the stuff. I allow about 5 servings of vegetable a day and 3 to 4 fruit. Now mind you a small apple is a serving and a cup of lettuce is a serving. Many vegetables like corn, beans, cauliflower are not allowed for the carbo's are high and you use them fast. We both are allowed possibly two lean meat or fish meals per day. I am supposed to use a deck of cards as a ruler. I have let that go higher now as he has done so well. Catsup is bad, you must live by a carb book. No substitutes. No cheating. You are playing for a Packed Deck. YOUR LIFE. You are only screwing yourself. We are so religious about this. The first day he said he would not give up his Panara Bagel and Peanut Butter in the morning. She told him no problem. Just count your carbs. He said he would. Now I have seen how he can take a bagel and cut it in half and frost it on each side like a cake but figured that you could not tell God one thing so go to it baby. What you take I am measuring out and we will then see what happens. So I turned him lose. Learn your own way my love. He did. After he finished it and I had counted the calories for the bagel and Jiff that he had he left himself with 46 carbs the rest of the day. NOW IF YOU DO NOT THINK THAT WAS FUNNY. But he learned. Threw 15 wonderful bagels out and we headed to get some cereal. Ended with Cheerios and Wheaties but I measure out each night what he can have and he can have his fat free milk and cereal in the morning.

At lunch I give him a slice a bread as each carbo is counted. You have to do this. Mayo has few carbos but some things do. You have to learn the book and stick with it. We allow for a beer now and then as we have both done so good. There is a lot of things you can not eat and a lot that you can. It is a way of life and for us the only way of life.

He had his blood sugar checked three weeks ago when we went to see her again. We go every month. His blood sugar is now 8 points from normal. I have turned him around this much. Now for the weight. Since we went in to see her on August 4th his weight has gone down to 210. Proud. You have no idea. Me, I have lost too but not as much. Only 37 pounds but what that weight has done for the two of us you have no idea. (I had lost 14 earlier so had a head start). NO IDEA.

We will stick on this for the rest of our life. I am so proud of him as he looks so great and what he has gained in youth plus everything that goes with it is totally amazing. He looks great and feels great. We are just two so very happy people. Oh and he will be 70 in March. I am his child bride and will be 69 in May. Oh and I forgot I do not play for the Packers anymore. Just cannot make the weight. Life is good...........

Weight loss: very few carbs=Atkins. May be the main trick for overweight pre-diabetics.

When there's no need to lose lots of weight: Low carb, with veggies and fiber, which can include a whole grain bread/bagel serving or so.

So, am I understanding everyone right? To beat diabetes, going on a low carb diet is the way to go? I am still overweight, I need to lose another 50 pounds or so. I am a 5' 2" female and weigh 173. How many carbs are the rest of you allowed per day and does this vary per person? The doc told me about 100 carbs a day. Do you all watch the fat or just the carbs? Are you allowed any sugar at all as long as you keep your total carb count under control? I try and keep my carb count close, but, I do not keep track of it on paper. I keep it in my head. It is not absolute, but, approximate. Has anyone heard of any vitamins or herbs that help? I read an artical in a GNC magazine that Alpha Lipoic Acid is a good vitamin to help fight diabetes. Anyone heard of it? Thanks everyone for your suggestions and thoughts, it has helped me alot, but there is still alot I do not understand.

I don't want to get into the carb discussion - I contol(sometimes I do) far below 100/day.

ALA used with Evening Primrose Oil has shown to help insulin resistance without raising your bg's. I don't know the amounts to take. It is also recommended to take Biotin because it is depleted when you take these two items. Well, one of them depletes it, I just cannot remember which one right this moment.

I believe the low fat approach was only a myth. Fat is essential to our body. I use the high fat approach(good fats only) and I maintain my weight very well. I am right in the range for my height. I lost 70 pounds in 9 months this way. Just my opinion though.

I was diagnosed with high insulin resistance, is this the same thing as pre-diabetic?

Is it possible to be pre-diabetic for Type 1?

My friend said that her doctor told her that she is...

100 carbs a day is too much.

To repeat NO STARCHES, NO REFINED FLOUR OR SUGAR.

Maybe one serving of WHOLE GRAIN... Such as a couple of pieces of whole grain bread, a small bowl of oatmeal flavored with splenda or cinnamon. (No butter--when you eat the whole grain serving eat it without any fat.) If you want to lose weight pretty consistently, skip this.

Eat your veggies and don't worry about the carbs as long as you don't consume mass quantities....The green veggies such as spinach etc. are the best. Look for the color deep green, but also red and yellow peppers. Eggplant is really great here, and may help lower your blood pressure.

For flavoring, you can have a little tomato sauce, which is very good for you in terms of antioxidants and all that. Here read the label, look for the carb count, which will reflect how much or if any sugar is in the sauce. Go for no sugar and 8 carbs or less
per serving.

Basically cut out the fruit, except for the occasional serving of strawberries or rasberries...

When it comes to meat and cheese, don't stuff yourself but don't worry about the fat either, at least too much. Eat lots of fish.

A great treat: A bowl of real whipped cream--flavored with just a bit of splenda or a couple of strawberries. It has no carbs.

Again, low carb ain't Atkins, it's just anti-diabetic. No need to count carbs if you follow my rules, you'll always come in well under 100.

I really think that people who consistently follow this diet are at very little risk for diabetes, and can control it in many cases even if they already have it.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate everyone's suggestions.

Insulin resistance and pre-diabetic are the same thing.

Low fat is a very hard way to lose weight and even more useless as a way of controlling blood sugar. Eat a reasonable amount of fat, but not with lots of carbs.

pal7778

I agree with you about low fat and weight loss. It is a myth that fat cause you to be fat.

I don't agree that pre-diabetic and insulin resistance are the same thing. You are talking apples and oranges. Insulin resistance is one of the 'conditions' type 2 diabetics have along with reduced insulin production(sometimes) Pre-diabetic is just a place on the scale between normal and diabetic with some of the same problems of a diabetic. Pre-diabetes does not have to progress to type 2 if untreated though it seems to be the situation.

I was thought that pre-diabetic meant a certain amount of insulin resistance, but not so much that it shot your blood sugar into the diabetic range. People with syndrome X--with the pronounced gut etc. (like I used to have had)--I thought already had some i.r. But your certainly right that type 2 diabetics have a lot of insulin resistance, but I didn't the phrase was used for them.

Insulin resistance is also something you can have without being diabetic. Maybe just not as resistant?

I think that's right. Mild insulin resistance means you're on the road to diabetes,
but can stop with aggressive dietary change. At a certain point stopping is impossible, although even with diabetes the low carb diet can stall further "progress"
for quite a while. As far as I can tell, most men with big guts but otherwise not so fat are insulin resistant in some degree, even if there's no evidence in the fasting blood sugar test.