Prediabetes can eventually develop into type 2 diabetes, but it does not always. Eating certain foods can balance your blood sugar levels. Discover seven prediabetes diet tips.
Prediabetes is marked by higher-than-normal fasting blood sugar or higher-than-normal blood sugar after eating. It’s most often the result of insulin resistance, a state in which the body doesn’t use the hormone insulin properly.
People with prediabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and may also be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
A diagnosis of prediabetes doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop type 2 diabetes. The key is early intervention to get your blood sugar levels out of the prediabetes range.
You can’t control every risk factor for prediabetes, but you can address some of them. Lifestyle changes can help you maintain balanced blood sugar levels and stay within a moderate weight range.
Many factors can increase your risk of developing prediabetes.
Genetics can play a role, especially if diabetes runs in your family. However, other factors play a larger role in the development of prediabetes. Not getting enough physical activity and having overweight are other potential risk factors.
In prediabetes, sugar from food begins to build up in your bloodstream because insulin can’t easily move the sugar into your cells.
The amount and type of carbohydrates you consume at a meal influence your blood sugar. A diet filled with refined and processed carbohydrates that digest quickly can cause higher spikes in blood sugar.
If you have prediabetes, your body likely has a difficult time lowering your blood sugar levels after meals. Watching your carb intake can help you avoid blood sugar spikes.
Fiber offers several benefits. It helps you feel full longer. It also adds bulk to your diet, making bowel movements easier to pass.
Eating fiber-rich foods can make you less likely to overeat and help you avoid the “crash” that can come from eating a high sugar food. High sugar foods will often give you a big boost of energy but make you feel tired shortly afterward.
Examples of high fiber foods include:
The glycemic index (GI) is a tool you can use to determine how a particular food could affect your blood sugar.
In general, foods that have a high GI will raise your blood sugar faster. Foods with a lower GI have less of an effect on your blood sugar.
However, different people’s bodies may process these foods differently. Additionally, cooking a food or eating it along with protein or fat can change its GI.
It’s also important to be mindful of portion sizes. Eating a large amount of any carbohydrate-containing food can cause your blood sugar levels to rise.
Foods that have a low GI, such as high fiber foods, are best for your blood sugar.
Incorporate the following items into your diet:
Food and nutrition labels don’t mention the GI of a given food. Instead, take note of the fiber content listed on the label in order to determine a food’s GI ranking.
Foods that rank in the medium range on the GI are fine to eat if you have prediabetes, although it’s important to keep portions to about 1/2 cup. Examples include whole wheat bread, brown rice, and corn.
Foods that are refined, processed, and lacking in fiber and other nutrients register high on the GI scale.
Refined carbohydrates are one example. These are products, mostly grains or sugars, that digest quickly in your stomach. Some examples are:
If you have prediabetes, it’s important to limit these foods and drinks.
Eating mixed meals is a great way to lower a food’s GI. For example, if you plan to eat white rice, adding vegetables and chicken cooked in a small amount of healthy fat can slow down the digestion of the grain and minimize blood sugar spikes.
Paying attention to portion sizes can help you keep your diet low on the GI scale.
Often, portions sizes in the United States are much larger than intended serving sizes. Food labels can help you determine how much you’re actually eating. The label will list calories, fat, carbohydrates, and other nutrition information for a particular serving.
If you eat more than the serving listed, it’s important to understand how that will affect the nutritional value. A food may have 20 grams of carbohydrates and 150 calories per serving. If you have 2 servings, you’ll consume 40 grams of carbohydrates and 300 calories.
However, it’s not necessary to eliminate carbohydrates entirely.
A large 2018 study in more than 15,000 adults showed that a lower carb diet (less than 40% carbs) is associated with the same mortality risk increase as a high carb diet (more than 70% carbs) in adults.
The study noted minimal risk observed when people consumed a moderate amount of carbohydrates (50% to 55% carbs in a day). On a 1,600-calorie diet, this would equal 200 to 220 grams of carbohydrates daily.
This is in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommendation to consume 45% to 65% of daily calories from carbohydrates. Spreading intake evenly throughout the day is best.
Carbohydrate needs vary based on your stature and activity level. It’s a good idea to consult a registered dietitian to discuss your specific needs.
One of the best ways to manage portions is to practice mindful eating. Eat when you’re hungry. Stop when you’re full. Sit while you eat, and eat slowly. Focus on the food and flavors.
When you eat more calories than your body needs, the calories get stored as fat. This can cause you to gain weight.
Body fat, especially around the belly, is linked to insulin resistance. This explains why many people with prediabetes also have overweight.
Meat doesn’t contain carbohydrates, but it can be a significant source of fat in your diet. Eating a lot of unhealthy fats can lead to prediabetes as well as high cholesterol and heart disease.
If you have prediabetes, eating a diet low in saturated fat and trans fat can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Choose protein sources such as the following:
Cooking chicken or turkey with the skin on will preserve moisture and have little effect on the fat content. However, the skin should be removed before eating.
Avoid cuts of meat, such as beef, that have visible fat or skin.
Moderation is a healthy rule to live by in most instances. Drinking alcohol is no exception.
Many alcoholic beverages are dehydrating. In addition, some cocktails may contain high amounts of sugar, which can cause blood sugar spikes.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women should have only one drink per day and men should have no more than two drinks per day.
The following are the measurements for an average single drink:
Keep your drink as simple as possible and avoid adding sugary juices or liqueurs.
Also, keep a glass of water nearby that you can sip on to prevent dehydration.
Water is an important part of any healthy diet. It’s essential to drink enough water each day to keep yourself from becoming dehydrated.
If you have prediabetes, water is a healthier option than sugary sodas, juices, or energy drinks. These beverages typically contain calories that translate to quick-digesting carbohydrates and have little or no other nutritional value.
A single 12-ounce can of regular soda may contain around 40 grams of carbohydrates. Water is a better choice to quench your thirst.
The amount of water you should drink every day depends on your body size, your activity level, and the climate you live in.
You can determine whether you’re drinking enough water by monitoring the volume of urine when you go. Take note of the color as well. Your urine should be pale yellow.
Exercise is a part of any healthy lifestyle. It’s especially important if you have prediabetes.
A lack of physical activity has been linked to increased insulin resistance, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Exercise causes muscles to use glucose (sugar) for energy and makes the cells work more effectively with insulin.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least:
Exercise doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Consider walking, dancing, riding a bicycle, or any other physical activity you enjoy.
Recent guidelines, such as the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care, also emphasize the importance of physical activity for people with prediabetes or diabetes. An active lifestyle may prevent a person with prediabetes from developing type 2 diabetes and help a person with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.
One of the ADA’s recommendations states that adults should avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time. You may want to try breaking up your sitting time by doing a few squats, toe raises, or knee raises.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 96 million U.S. adults have prediabetes. Perhaps even more concerning is that more than 80% don’t know they have the condition.
Early medical intervention is important to identify the condition before it develops into type 2 diabetes. If you’ve received a diagnosis of prediabetes, you and your doctor can develop a diet plan that will help.
Last medically reviewed on July 13, 2022
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Aug 30, 2022
By
Kristeen Cherney, PhD
Edited By
Ashley Williams
Copy Edited By
Jill Campbell
Jul 13, 2022
Medically Reviewed By
Kathy Warwick, RD, LD
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