Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.

People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. Other names for pre-diabetes are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose.

Pre Diabetes or Borderline Diabetes may occur before a Type 2 diagnosis. Good nutrition and exercise may be recommended by your health care provider as treatment for pre diabetes. Even a slightly high blood sugar level is insidious and could affect major organs over time.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis.
They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
  
• Excessive thirst
  
• Unexplained weight loss
  
• Extreme hunger
  
• Sudden vision changes
  
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
  
• Feeling very tired much of the time
  
• Very dry skin Sores that are slow to heal More infections than usual.

Some Healthy Tips to Fight Diabetes

• Keep meat, poultry and fish portions to about 3 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards).
• Try not to snack while cooking or cleaning the kitchen.
  
• Try to eat meals and snacks at regular times every day.
  
• Make sure you eat breakfast everyday.
• Use broth and cured meats (smoked or bacon) in small amounts. They are high in sodium. Low sodium broths are available in cans and in powdered form.
• Share a single dessert.
• When eating out, have a big vegetable salad, then split an entrée with a friend or have the other half wrapped to go.
• Stir fry, broil, or bake with non-stick spray or low-sodium broth and cook with less oil and butter.
• Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before your meal to take the edge off your hunger.
• Make healthy choices at fast food restaurants. Try grilled chicken (remove skin) instead of a cheeseburger. Skip the french fries and choose a salad.
• Listen to music while you eat instead of watching TV (people tend to eat more while watching TV).
• Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to send a signal to your brain that you're full.
• Teaspoons, salad forks, or child-size utensils may help you take smaller bites and eat less.
• You don't have to cut out the foods you love to eat. Just cut down on your portion size and eat it less often.
• Make less food look like more by serving your meal on a salad or breakfast plate.