BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Diabetes Pre-Diabetes-any tips?

Hi,

My husband was recently told by his doctor that is blood sugar is elevated but he doesn't have diabetes (yet). Does anyone have suggestions on good recipe websites to help with this and lifestyle tips?

We eat very well now but he doesn't get enough exercise and is about 15 lbs over weight. He isn't always consciencious about not using sugar in his coffee, etc.

He is going to switch over to Stevia as a sweetener but I thought those experienced in living with diabetes might have some tips on what he could do that would make the most difference.

Joan,
Sounds like you are doing the right thing. Losing weight and staying fit should keep his prediabetes at bay. Make sure he takes the stairs and parks far away from where he goes. Every little bit of exercise helps. Also a protein, low card diet may help. I'm eat a protein and low carb using mainly fruits and vegetables and very little starches. Also, a good rule is if it's white don't eat it.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi Cindy,

thanks for the ideas. My husband's doctor recommended the South Beach diet but I suspect he didn't mean for my husband to follow the strict 2 week introduction with cutting all carbs and sugars. My husband had some sugar issues from going at it so drastically.

We decided he should go to phase II where some carbs and things like fruit and brown rice are added back. Being aware of the glycemic index has been a big help to him.

I've found that men don't really like to sacrifice when it comes to food, at least not my husband. I think women are more used to watching what they eat and are willing to choose low-fat, low cal versions of foods and not mind it.

Since I'm the cook in the house tho, he'll have to make some of these changes-lol

Do you eat all whole grains? Get rid of all the white sugars and flours.

Try going to raw sugar, not processed. Like everyone else if it's white don't try it. I am pre-diabetic myself and found that when I went raw sugar I used less and less then lost the desire for sweetness in my tea and other places where I added it. Try mixing the browns with white gradually until your husband gets used to it. I think that might help too.
Best of luck.
katie

thanks for the ideas. Actually, we've been using the raw sugar exclusively for several years because we were trying to get rid of processed foods. I love it for cooking, etc.

I've been using Stevia which is a plant and no calories but my husband says it leaves an aftertaste.

The South Beach Diet is an excellent choice for diabetics, pre-diabetics, and all people.

Not only do you cut out the white stuff (processed flour, sugar, white rice, potatoes), but the carbs you eat are more whole-grained, which is healthier for the pancreas. You avoid over-taxing the pancreas with a "sugar-blast" which is what you get from most of the carbs you eat.

The Diet also recommends Splenda for your sweetener. I use it and it doesn't have too much of an aftertaste, which I'm pretty sensitive to.

It's hard to cut down on carbs in your diet (for me, it was my main staple), but it's even harder to be a diabetic.

My husband and I were both diagnosed pre-diabetic, so we bought the book "Dr Atkins new diet revolution" and started the diet, we never looked back, not only is our sugar way down low we lost weight and I came off my cholesterol medication as well as the 2 blood pressure pills I was taking! I will NEVER EAT AS BEFORE again, I love the food I am eating and know that I will NEVER get diabetes, its the only option, cut out those carbs and be vibrantly healthy. I recommend that you visit their site.
www.atkins.com good luck.
Sylvana

I endorse the south beach diet for learning to control blood sugar. It was my fear of diabetes that turned me against processed flour and sugar. People really under-estimate the dangers of keeping your blood sugar elevated all day.

When you see so many people with limbs missing, how can you not fear this disease?

Some medications can cause elevated blood glucose levels. Steriods are one of them. Prednisone, a steroid, is a commonly prescribed drug. If you are taking a med that can raise your bg dont assume that your dr. will link the two together. Mine didnt for more than six yrs. Many over the counter meds will do the same.