My best friend (who has been trying to manage his obesity for years) has finally been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Are there any easy ways to start him on diets for those who are pre-diabetic? Most of the sites we've tried seem just to say "Don't be obese and get more exercise". Are there any resources which give diet sheets, or recommended brands for diabetics?Monday, August 29, 2011
Changing To A Diabetic Diet When Obese?
My best friend (who has been trying to manage his obesity for years) has finally been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Are there any easy ways to start him on diets for those who are pre-diabetic? Most of the sites we've tried seem just to say "Don't be obese and get more exercise". Are there any resources which give diet sheets, or recommended brands for diabetics?
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Phillip Nuiqier - Sorry to hear that, have your friend try ezdietsolution.com
ReplyDeleteBob Hope - Go to the American Diabetes Associate website: http://www.diabetes.org/
ReplyDeleteGary B - His doctro will be able to recommend him to a DIEATICIAN or a NUTRITIONIST who can answer ALL the questions concerning diet.
ReplyDeleteVanessa83 - The Mayo Clinic website provide a lot of detail of foods to eat and avoid, including sample diets:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00027
This website provides a lot of information and sample menus on the G.I. Diet, which is recommended for diabetes:
http://www.dietandfitnessresources.co.uk/diet_nutrition/gi_diet_menu.htm
I personally recommend a Low Carb Diet, at least in the beginning. Although controversial, the reason I think it's a good idea is that your friend is quite likely addicted to food. People who are obese are not happy being obese, it's not a choice. They are consumed by their next meal choice, just as much as an alcoholic is consumed by his next sip. Low carbs diets are fantastic for obese diabetics because although there's a significant reduction in refined sugars, it's pretty much a free for all for many other foods he loves. I believe in starting things slowly, so if your friend starts with a low carb plan at first, his cravings will literally be eliminated, he'll lose weight, and he can eventually transition into a G.I. diet.
The best resource for low-carb diets is:
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/gettingstarted.htm
Best of luck to him! You are a good friend.
Tabea - Most published diabetes cookbooks are based on the wrong and outdated nutritional advice for diabetics, to eat low fat and high carb.
ReplyDeleteThis is insane and criminally wrong.
Diabetes is a disease of carbohydrate metabolism. Diabetics' bodies cannot metabolize carbs. So telling diabetics to eat carb is like telling nut allergy sufferers to eat peanuts, cashews and macadamias.
I suggest that you google low carb recipe instead. A truly diabetes-friendly recipe is a low-carb recipe.
Low-carb recipe books are also great for diabetics.
Do not ever buy anything labelled 'diabetic' unless it is also labelled 'low-carb'.
Basically as long as you keep to the simple principle of low-carb, you should be OK. It might take a little while to adjust to life without bread, potatoes and pasta, but it can be done, and it is really the simplest and most effective first tool for the management of Type 2 diabetes.
Noccie - He needs to reduce caloric intake with particular attention to carbohydrates. There are a number of diet he can try: Atkins, South Beach, and Sugar Busters are all low carb diets. Weight Watchers is extremely effective if you follow the plan. In addition, he does need more exercise because that helps lower blood sugar too.
ReplyDeletesyl c. - Your best friend clearly has blood sugar imbalances thus the prediabetes. Dietary changes can help so much in avoidng the diabetes diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteEating unrefined foods, lean protein, and more veggies than starches are really important for you bf right now, low carb. Eating 5-6 small meals/snacks should be his pattern. Drink plenty of water. Try to exercise even walking 3X a day for 30 min will help stabilize glucose levels. Add more protein. Protein always helps in making me feel full and I don't feel so hungry all the time. Fish, chicken, lamb, etc. are also good sources of protein. Beans have a good source of plant protein and fibers that stick with you longer and break down into sugar (as all food eventually does) in your blood stream more slowly. This is a good thing, as you won't get a low blood sugar nearly as quickly. Try to avoid candy, juices, etc. are all turned into blood sugar very fast; they don't stick with you. I know this is very hard but try to do it slowly eating less and less everyday. You will see how you will feel better following these tips. Think of these simple sugars as very short term fuel. If he needs to have sweets try sugar free its really good and fill that "sugar" absence. Eating correctly will help you straighten his dietary problems. Also, this helps when he can get into "portion" control eating smaller portions that makes it seem you are not on an actual diet.
David Mendosa diabetes.com can give you alot of help in setting up diet sheets and recommended diets and brands for diabetics. He also has systems that can help your friend track his glucose and set up reminders, etc. Mr Mendosa is a pioneer in the field of diabetes and his web site has an enormous amount of information for new diabetics as well as long time diabetics.
Try the above tips you'll be surprised how well it works and how his blood glucose levels will drop. You are a good friend in helping him out and I'm sure he is a good friend to you too.
Hope this helps.