Pre-Diabetic

JW72085sbw · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 01:24 PM

Hi All,

I have just been diagnosed as pre-diabetic.

I need to, and want to, make drastic changes. However, I was told that diabetics lose weight slower and that drastic changes in diet can cause hair lose. (I'm a girl who primps, so I can't lose my hair. Plus, my head is literally too big for very short or no hair.

) I was not provided with a specific diet from my doctor. I must admit that this is pretty frightening and immoblizing. I don't know where to start.

So, any suggestions or comments, pro/con, would be greatly appreciated.

princesslinda · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 01:35 PM

Welcome JW, glad you found the forums! You've had a wake-up call, use to it become healthier.

It is true that crash dieting can result in hair loss, but with sensible dieting, you should be fine.

Many here find that watching carbs, esp. "white" foods like potatoes, pasta, rice, bread, helps keep numbers stable.

If you want to lose weight, eat lots of salads, green veggies, lean proteins, sea food and start getting regular exercise. Find something you enjoy doing, so it won't be a chore.

If you have a meter, test 2 hrs after your first bite of food to learn which foods cause you problems...you'll make smarter food choices this way.

I don't know for a fact that diabetics lose weight slower....but if you decrease your calories and increase your exercise, you should see weight loss. I haven't been exercising as I should, and I can really tell a difference, both in how I feel and in my blood sugar readings....exercise is that important.

JW72085sbw · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 02:04 PM

PrincessLinda,

Thank you for your helpful suggestions. However, I do not have a meter. And I hope to get this under control before I need to get one.

princesslinda · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 02:15 PM

JW, you were diagnosed as pre-D because your blood sugar readings were higher than normal. A meter will allow you to f/u on it to make sure it is staying at the appropriate levels. I'd suggest asking your doc for one as well as a script for strips, as most physicians will have them on hand to give to their patients.

Blood sugar rises and falls in response to food. We're all different, and we will respond differently to the food we eat. If you don't test, you won't know how things are going.

Gretchen Becker has a book on Pre-Diabetes. I've not read it, but her book "The First Year, Type 2 Diabetes" was very helpful to me. One of these may be of interest to you.

Pre-D could also be considered very early T2, as without making changes in your lifestyle (diet/exercise), it will advance to T2 pretty quickly.

moereiss · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 09:42 AM

DX on 4/3/09 with pre-diabetes. I've been recording what I eat and limiting carbs to 30 per meal. Today was the first day since I began that I got my first FBG of 100! They had been as high as 150. Yesterday, for the first time, I lowered my carbs to less than 40 for the day and omitted 1/2 cup whole grain oatmeal

hanks to advise on this forum! Is this improved BG result of last 24 hours or cumulative since 4/3/09?

sumi · #6 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 11:39 AM

"Is this improved BG result of last 24 hours or cumulative since 4/3/09?"
Yes, it is the immediate result of cutting those carbs. It really is that easy.

Ronin · #7 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 04:45 PM

Hi JW!

Welcome to the club you never wanted to join. Take the advice from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" -- "DON'T PANIC!" This diagnosis is only a warning, not a death sentance.

What you need to do is adopt a healthier life-style. While there is some truth to the tale that a dramatic diet can cause hair loss -- that's now what anyone is expecting. A sensible diet, along with adding regular daily aerobic exercise (yeah, the kind that makes you sweat) will lead to weight loss, better muscle tone and, most likely, an elimination of the symptoms.

However, this is a life change, not a temporary fix. The changes you start now will be with you for the rest of your life. I know that sounds daunting, and impossible, but many of us Pre-D's are doing it already.

FWIW: It will help all of us to help you if you fill in your Public Profile as that is the place to provide some details so that we will know more about you and give us a better idea of how to help you. Oh yes, for a "girl who primps" you should know that you are currently listed on the defalut setting of "male." Somehow I think that is not correct.

tiny · #8 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 02:31 AM

Hi all, I was diagnosed pre diabetic about 3 years ago. I have been following the low glycemic index as best as I can and I have not had an episode in 2.5 years or so. I have dropped weight and felt better. I still get shakes when I need to eat, but not very often because I typically eat every 2-3 hours. I don't miss big meals and overeating, but I do miss not worring about meal planning everyday. BTW I am in my early 20's I never meal planned before this. But the low glycemic index seems to work and gives me variety.