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The Best Diets for Prediabetics

Prediabetes is a condition that occurs when there are high levels of glucose in the blood. This high level of glucose is not high enough for a diagnosis of type II diabetes. This condition is usually a precursor to diabetes, but you can turn it around with a healthier lifestyle. Losing weight is the first step to lowering glucose levels and managing your condition.

  1. Healthy Diet

    • There are many diets on the market that are designed for weight loss, but a healthy meal plan that has a variety of fruits and vegetables is the best approach to managing prediabetes. Choose lean sources of protein and complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables. High fiber foods and whole grains are good choices for a prediabetes diet.

      Counting carbohydrates may not be necessary for this condition, but awareness of the amount and type of calories that you are eating will ensure that your diet is healthy. Half of your daily caloric intake should be from carbohydrates. A 2,000 calorie a day diet should contain approximately 250 grams of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates should come from whole grains and green leafy vegetables for a healthy prediabetes diet.

    Planning Meals

    • Changing from an unhealthy diet to a healthier one can be a difficult challenge. Meal planning can help transition the dieter from choosing unhealthy foods to planning healthy and delicious meals for the whole family.

      Many people eat unhealthy meals because they do not have the time to prepare something healthier. Planning the meals and even cooking in advance combats this problem head on. Planning meals a week in advance gives the dieter the opportunity to schedule meals and plan for healthy snacking, which will eliminate grabbing meals on the go.

    Weight Loss

    • Prediabetes is a condition that can be turned around with hard work and healthier choices. Losing only 5 to 10 percent of your weight if you are overweight can turn around high glucose levels. A weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds is sufficient to start the turnaround from prediabetes to normal glucose levels. A healthy diet is the best way to lose weight permanently. Aim to lose one or two pounds per week for a healthy rate of weight loss.

      Medications are given for the condition if it is worsening or you are at a severe risk of developing diabetes. Carefully monitoring the foods that you eat may be enough to avoid medications and type II diabetes.

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