| Just about everyone who has type 2 diabetes at one | | | | 2. Switch to whole grains from processed ones. That |
| time was in a condition known as pre-diabetes. | | | | means buying whole wheat, oat or multi-grain breads |
| Pre-diabetes is the time in-between not having type 2 | | | | instead of white. Eat whole wheat spaghetti and |
| diabetes and being diagnosed with it. It means that you | | | | macaroni instead of the usual type. |
| are starting to have some of the symptoms of | | | | 3. Full fat products have good carbohydrates but too |
| diabetes but the disease is not yet full-blown. | | | | much saturated fat. Eat products such as low-fat |
| What is Pre-diabetes? | | | | yogurt, lite or non-fat cheeses and skim milk. |
| In fact, pre-diabetes can be seen as an opportunity | | | | 4. Eat five servings a day of fruit and vegetables. It will |
| where you have a chance not to develop type 2 | | | | help your digestive tract, balance blood sugar levels |
| diabetes. You may or may not acquire type 2 | | | | and make you feel full so you eat less of other foods. |
| depending on the decisions you make about your own | | | | 5. Eat foods containing omega 3 fatty acids... such as |
| health... starting today. For instance, if you make | | | | fish. Eliminate all foods with trans fats from your diet. |
| changes in your diet and add exercise to your lifestyle, | | | | Go easy on the fast foods! |
| you could stave off type 2 diabetes or at the very | | | | 6. Eat fewer desserts that have high sugar and fat |
| least, delay the onset for many years. | | | | content. Try new things like low-fat, low-sugar ice |
| Some people never know they have pre-diabetes, | | | | creams or non-fat yogurt. |
| because by the time they recognize the symptoms | | | | Don't forget to exercise: |
| and see a doctor, they already have all-out full-blown | | | | Adding exercise to your lifestyle can have a |
| type 2 diabetes. When you are at pre-diabetes stage, | | | | tremendous effect on blood sugar levels. Chances are |
| you have higher blood sugars than normal, but not yet | | | | you will also lose some weight as well. Start out slowly |
| high enough to be diagnosed as a diabetic. A fasting | | | | and work you way up to a minimum of thirty minutes |
| blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) is needed | | | | three times a week. |
| for a diagnosis of diabetes type 2. Pre-diabetes fasting | | | | Find activities you like to do outside, such as walking, |
| blood sugar levels are usually between 100 and 125 | | | | hiking, paddling, cycling, or exercise inside on treadmills,, |
| mg/dL (5.5 and 6.95 mmol/L). | | | | elliptical or stair climber machines. Add some strength |
| If you want to avoid a diagnosis of diabetes type 2, | | | | training. Muscles increase your body's metabolism and |
| there are several changes you can make that will help | | | | burn more calories. |
| you to lower your blood sugar level. | | | | If you're in the pre-diabetes camp you can still turn it |
| Try these six tips to lower blood sugar levels: | | | | around by choosing to work on eating healthy foods |
| 1. Start to reduce your consumption of refined | | | | and getting some exercise. One thing is sure... if you do |
| carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. Try non-fat or lite | | | | nothing at all, the chances are high that you will be |
| alternatives, remove skin and fat from meat prior to | | | | facing a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes sometime in the |
| cooking. | | | | next few years. |