Just diagnosed with pre-diabetes-Updated 3/18/16

[iheartnmr's]

Please do not listen to bsblady01. As someone who has lived with someone for over 20 years with diabetes, what she is telling you as fact is blatantly incorrect and could prove harmful to your health.

 

[ahutton]

As an easy and portable snack I like the Triple Zero Greek Yogurt by Oikos/Dannon. The vanilla is my favorite; it's high in fiber and has no artificial sugars and high in protein. It does have some sugar carbs, but it's balanced with high fiber and protein.

Kind bars can be good too - although they do have some sugar, the dark chocolate and sea salt one is high in protein and can be a good substitute treat.

 

[indygirl99]

I wish that posts giving bad medical advice could be reported and removed. I belonged to another forum where you weren't even allowed to post a health-related topic. Between responses about what no to eat, questions about what vitamins to take, what medicines mix together well, diagnosing ailments etc... It just opens a can of worms.

I know we have professionals here, and that OP was just asking for snack tips, but then *certain posters* chime in with stuff that's just plain wrong in some cases or flat out dangerous in others.

Yeah sometimes I just shake my head and wonder what some people are thinking. But other times I have to point out really inaccurate or downright dangerous/stupid information.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

don't buy the sugar free candy it made my dad so sick. There is a good selection of foods that you will find in your super market that you can eat. My dad loves popcorn with nothing on it. there are some great cookbooks that have the serving sizes that you should be eating right in it.

I would not start anything till you talk to your doctor

So he eats popcorn with no salt or anything? Does he air pop, microwave or oil pop?

Sugar free candy doesn't make everyone sick, btw.

 

[Dancind]

OP, first may I give you a hug:

Please think of this as fair warning. You are not far gone, but if you continue on your current path you could get very sick. This gives you a chance to correct your course before bad things happen!

There's nothing wrong with educating yourself before you see your doctor, or a nutritionist. I really hope this is not the case, but you may have a doctor that hands you a prescription and sends you on your way. Or a nutritionist that tells you "everything in moderation, whole grains are good". While every single person's blood sugar responds differently to foods, simple carbs are pretty bad for most. And yes, sugar is the devil

I was in your shoes about six years ago. And I had to go pretty low carb to get it under control and lose weight, pretty much a ketogenic diet. You should be prepared to listen to the expert's advice, but to also take an active role in figuring out what is best for your body.

As far as Veggies, good fats are your friend. Carrots are delicious roasted with some good olive oil and sea salt, broccoli is amazing lightly steamed with some grass fed butter to finish. If someone tries to tell you that eating fat will make you fat, they are not up to date on their nutrition research. In fact, it will help you control your blood sugar. And organic vegetables are highly recommended because they just taste better.

Good luck to you!

 

[Poohforyou]

it's runs in my family and we were told by my dad's doctor he should stay away from carbs and fast food

I thought your dad died on 9/11. Medical advice changes quite often so I would imagine a lot of what was being advised 14+ years ago really isn't valid today.

As for nuts, Emerald makes a 100 calorie pack of lots of different varieties. The smoked almonds have 9g fat, 3g carbs, 2g fiber and 3g protein. That's a good potable snack for anyone.

 

[cabanafrau]

My understanding was that carbs were to be limited, but you should have some at breakfast, lunch and dinner, keeping the amount within a certain guideline and trying to keep it more to things like whole grain breads and pastas, greek yogurts and such instead of white breads or sweet fruit yogurts.

OP, I believe with some dietary and fitness adjustments you can throw the process in reverse, as it were. I know at my doc's office there is a bulletin board about the stats of some patients, and even some of the staff, who were diagnosed type II and now are no longer under that diagnosis. Good luck to you!

 

[roseaster]

OP, seriously. See your doctor, get a referral to an endocrinologist and find a good diabetic education and nutrition class with a nurse or a registered dietitian.
As you can see, there are a lot of people who have a lot of opinions, not all, necessarily, medically sound or advised. There is just way too many theories on the internet that people buy into for different reasons. It is better if any plan you take on is medically supervised.

If you check out the American Diabetes Association website under "foods" they do have a list of good, low carb snacks that you can try in the interim. Also explore different ways to prepare veggies that may be more palatable to you.

Without knowing the OP's entire medical history advising any actual medical plan or diet isn't smart, and could be dangerous.

 

[Dancind]

Agreed. For instance, whole grain bread and white bread have the same glycemic index, 60-70.

 

[tvguy]

It can be confusing. What were your numbers at the outset? Many practitioners like to keep a tight control on things. I do think you're ok with some daily peanuts if you like them. Just a handful, lol. It's a healthy way of eating. Do you get much daily exercise?

My numbers have been pretty consistent over the last 10 years. At 58, I have found that it is much much harder to lose weight than when I was 40 or younger. I guess I have a very efficient metabolism. I walk 1 mile a day during the work week on my meal break, and swim 50 laps at the gym twice a week. My wife laughs, my arms and legs are very muscular from the gym, my mid-section, no so much.

 

[bsblady01]

I thought your dad died on 9/11. Medical advice changes quite often so I would imagine a lot of what was being advised 14+ years ago really isn't valid today.

As for nuts, Emerald makes a 100 calorie pack of lots of different varieties. The smoked almonds have 9g fat, 3g carbs, 2g fiber and 3g protein. That's a good potable snack for anyone.

my dad is alive and well.

 

[bsblady01]

So he eats popcorn with no salt or anything? Does he air pop, microwave or oil pop?

Sugar free candy doesn't make everyone sick, btw.

they have a popcorn maker and he will eat plain popcorn

 

[Sadie22]

I think the mention of sickness with sugar free is a reference to the fact that the sugar alcohols in some sugar free candy and other products can cause gastrointestinal distress if too much is ingested. Even chewing too much sugar free gum can do this. Moderation in all things. All of us metabolize differently, so what affects one may not have the same effect on another.

 

[jrnunzio3]

OP here. I want to thank everyone who responded and gave me ideas on what I can/should be eating. I know that I have a long road ahead of me and need to change my eating habits a little at a time (as opposed to cold turkey). I now have more knowledge and know what questions I want/need to ask my doctor.

I have learned alot and the weblinks are great resources.

I also want to thank everyone for their support, I am going to need it.

Jen

 

[bsblady01]

OP here. I want to thank everyone who responded and gave me ideas on what I can/should be eating. I know that I have a long road ahead of me and need to change my eating habits a little at a time (as opposed to cold turkey). I now have more knowledge and know what questions I want/need to ask my doctor.

I have learned alot and the weblinks are great resources.

I also want to thank everyone for their support, I am going to need it.

Jen

you will get through this

 

[indygirl99]

OP here. I want to thank everyone who responded and gave me ideas on what I can/should be eating. I know that I have a long road ahead of me and need to change my eating habits a little at a time (as opposed to cold turkey). I now have more knowledge and know what questions I want/need to ask my doctor.

I have learned alot and the weblinks are great resources.

I also want to thank everyone for their support, I am going to need it.

Jen

There are a lot of us on here in the same boat with you who remember what it felt like when we first heard those words "Pre-diabetic".
It scared the bejeses out of us and after almost wetting our pants our next thought was "well now I'm going to die".

Hop in the boat and take a ride with us. We are here to listen to you vent, cry with you and laugh with you. Also remember while we are riding in the same boat each person journey is individual. What works for me may not work for you. Some will always ride in the boat and some (hopefully you) will eventually leave the boat.

Also ignore the "you CAN'T haves (sugar, carbs, treats) and the you MUST eat (veggies, sugar free, liver ). You will learn what you can eat and what of your favorites you need to modify so it doesn't cause problems.

It is scary at first but you will make it through. Write all your questions down because when you are with the doctor or diabetes educator they will all leave your head. Deer in the headlights is pretty normal right about now.

 

[dja14]

OP, seriously. See your doctor, get a referral to an endocrinologist and find a good diabetic education and nutrition class with a nurse or a registered dietitian.
As you can see, there are a lot of people who have a lot of opinions, not all, necessarily, medically sound or advised. There is just way too many theories on the internet that people buy into for different reasons. It is better if any plan you take on is medically supervised.

If you check out the American Diabetes Association website under "foods" they do have a list of good, low carb snacks that you can try in the interim. Also explore different ways to prepare veggies that may be more palatable to you.

Without knowing the OP's entire medical history advising any actual medical plan or diet isn't smart, and could be dangerous.

Yes!

Seeing an endocrinologist and their staff of nurse educators and dietitians is well worth it. Our regular dr gave us a list of foods to not eat and that was it. He meant well but the endo and staff know so much more and can explain the why of things. Learning the why and how is much more important than a list of do and don't's so you can learn to be flexible in your day to day life. With being pre-type 2 you might be able to reverse things, so you want the best information you can get.

 

[threeboysmom]

they have a popcorn maker and he will eat plain popcorn

You falsely claimed that all carbs are bad, but popcorn has carbs, so your dad IS eating carbs. Just wanted to point that out.

 

[jrnunzio3]

Hi Everyone,
OP here. I just wanted to come back and Thank everyone for their support and recommendations.

With your help and support, I have lost 15 pounds (so far) and I am eating much healthier than I ever have. I feel great. I can't wait to buy new clothes as some of mine are now falling off of me. Ha Ha.

I am on my way to Disney next week and once I return, I will have my blood work and weight done again at my doctor's office. Hopefully everything will be normal.

Again, I just wanted to Thank everyone for their support.

I will check back again after my doctor visit.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

^ That's awesome, jrnunzio!