Prediabetic and trying to find the right foods to eat

[Shasta0506]

Hi, I'm a prediabetic and I'm still learning what is ok and not ok to eat. My doctor had me on metformin but I stopped taking it 3 days ago. The last two days that I did take it I became really weak and almost passed out. So that's why I had stopped taking it. I'm hoping to get some helpful tips on the best foods to eat and enjoy.

[INK45]

This is an interesting article by a doctor I appreciate recommending a plant-based diet and warning against the adverse effects of some medications, for instance, it says: ... change to a low-fat, animal-food-free, starch-based diet. Starchy foods (rice, corn, potatoes, beans, etc. cause the body's own insulin to become more powerful...

drmcdougall.com/misc/2009nl...

[chubbychook]

I have reversed pre-diabetes in 10 months by vastly increasing the amount of non starchy vegetables I eat, reducing the number of times a week I eat pasta, rice or bread and virtually cutting out most ready made foods like pies or similar. Beans and lentils have become my secret fill up weapon. I eat fish of different sorts a couple of times a week, have a couple of glasses of wine a week and treat myself to a meal out maybe once a month. You can find so many recipes online to make things interesting and as a bonus I have lost weight. It's the only health condition I have been able to reverse so quite pleased. Good luck!

[topaz1]

Look at the DiabetesUK website, it is very helpful and has lots of recipes.

[Blackberry4582695729]

I dont know why a Doctor would prescribe you metformin when you are prediabetic. Far too early in my opinion. I imagine it reduced your blood sugar far too low and thats why you nearly passed out. The best thing to do is get yourself a blood glucose meter. They are not too expensive and well worth the investment. Check your blood sugar regularly before and after meals and see what foods are causing big increases. The likely suspects will be potatoes, white bread, pasta, rice. Switch to wholemeal bread, brown rice, wholewheat pasta and less starchy new potatoes. Reduce portion size of these staples and increase greens i.e. broccoli, green beans, peas etc. leafy green veg, cucumbers, peppers (all colours), celery, radish, courgette, lettuce, watercress, onion, leeks etc. I also suggest limiting some fruits especially ripe bananas, grapes, raisins, dates and other dried fruits as they are packed full of energy you dont need unless running a marathon. Personally I go for any berries, apple, pear, papaya and rhubarb with a little sugar if you must. On the subject of sugar I have not found very small amounts e.g a spoonful in tea/coffee to be a big no no. In the afternoon I have sometimes have two digestive biscuits with a cup of tea and there is almost no spike in blood sugar. The same goes for dark chocolate (70%+) and real traditional dairy ice cream. - in moderation! Unfortunately porridge oats or just about any cereal I cannot tolerate (unless about to embark on a long walk for example) so in the morning I might go for an egg or two, half an avocado, houmous, piece of toast, cheese, red pepper, cucumber etc but no cereal or bananas! Btw I dont have all these things, just 2 or 3.

Unless you really need to lose weight dont worry too much about going low fat everything. And dont give up meat either. There is no need to.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Blackberry4582695729]

Have you found a way to eat rhubarb without sugar??? I'd like to learn it.

[Blackberry4582695729 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

I grow rhubarb in the garden yet I tend to give most of it away to friends!I really could not eat it unless it is sweetened and it needs more than a teaspoon in my opinion! You could buy one of the granulated sweeteners and try that or another option is to mix it with other fruit such as apple or mango for example.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Blackberry4582695729]

I never thought of rhubarb and apple. Sounds great, thanks.

[Lizzo30]

Hi Shasta hi to everyone else I just want to recommend Redsplit lentil s as a store cupboard staple to you - they are cheap and nutritiousA very simple lentil soup is rinse a few hand fuls of red split lentils add a litre of water throw in vegetables bring to the boil and simmer till cooked about 30 minutes - that's it

I used to live on this before I was married I have started eating it again I love it had it with potatoe turnip and carrot the other day I might post a photo

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Lizzo30]

I love red lentils too!

My favorite lentil recipe (it works best with French lentils) is to cook some onions till they're brown. Meanwhile, cook lentils and rice together. Toss in a little fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Garnish with the browned onions. Serve with yogurt. Fast, easy, healthy, and delicious!

[Lizzo30 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Sounds wonderful French lentils are brown ones right ? I used to make vegetarian /vegan sheperds pie with them

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Lizzo30]

There are two kinds of brown lentils. The regular ones you always see at the store, and the ones labeled "French". The main difference is the French ones stay intact and chewy when cooked.

The recipe is called "M'Jedrah". I grew up with it. Always reminds me of Mom.

[Blackberry4582695729 in reply to Lizzo30]

I thought they were grey/green and called 'Puy' from the region of France where they originated?

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Blackberry4582695729]

I have a packet of Puy lentils, they are a greeny grey colour.