PreDiabetes recommended Daily Sugar and Carbohydrates intake

@188213 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. I have Diabetes Type 2, and would like to give you answers to your questions. First, when you were diagnosed, did the Dr. give you any information about how to prevent going into full diabetes? Usually, the Dr. may send you to an endocrinologist who takes height, weight, and blood numbers and runs other tests. Have you had any of that done? I went to an endocrinologist to get all the information. He also included a dietician in my team to help me adjust to changes I had to make in my lifestyle. Diabetes is a complicated disease and there is no cure. As a prediabetic, you need to be very careful so that you don't cross the line. Numbers are different because every person is different. All ages, Type 1 or Type 2, different weights, different mobility, and many more factors contribute. Is the Dr. who told you pre-diabetic your Primary or an endocrinologist? Did he/she tell you anything about what to do? I ask these questions because I found out my Primary knows little about diabetes. You have to get the basics first and then you can know what to do to prevent progression. Let me know, and I hope I can help.
Carol

@m188213 hi, and welcome to Connect.
I think you really to get those answers from your doctor or dietician. I was diagnosed with diabetes about 10 years ago. I was told I could have up to 45 grams of carbohydrates per meal, and two snacks daily of about 15 grams each. I know a number of people with diabetes though for whom these numbers have varied. As @retiredteacher mentioned, it really depends on many factors. I do see a endocrinologist but my PCP could also handle it if I preferred him.
Regarding sodium, I don’t recall that being a restriction for diabetes but I believe the recommended maximum is 2000 mg. I keep mine to 1500 mg because more than that I retain fluid. Sodium can also contribute to high blood pressure and I want to avoid that. I am borderline now so hoping to prevent it from getting higher and having to take medication for it.
If you follow your doctor’s guidelines you will hopefully be able to avoid becoming diabetic.
Please feel free to ask any questions you have, either Carol or I will be glad to try to answer them.
JK

Hello. I am a 64 year old 265lb male that has recently been diagnosed having "prediabetes". I need to know what the daily recommendation for sugar and carbohydrates consumption so I can make certain that I do not exceed and work toward achieving my goals of weight loss, healthy diet, and exercise. I am more interested in what the Mayo Clinic recommendations are.

Hi @m188213 you will notice that I moved your second post to this original discussion you started asking about daily sugar and carbohydrates intake for those with prediabetes to keep the responses on this topic in one location.

On Connect fellow patients provide tips and suggestions from personal experience. As @retiredteacher and @contentandwell mentioned is best to ask your doctor as every situation is different.

You asked specifically about Mayo Clinic recommendations. Here are some useful resources from Mayo Clinic experts:

Mayo Clinic Prediabetes Treatment and Diagnosis: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355284

Tips for Prediabetes and Diabetes Meal Planning: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-prediabetes-and-diabetes-meal-planning/

Do you have prediabetes for type 2 diabetes? Did your doctor give you specific diet suggestions?

Hello Carol.Thank you so much for your response. I have taken your advice and contacted my Primary Health care physician today requesting to be referred to a endocrinologist and a dietician. Waiting for a call back. My doctor did take my height, weight, Hemoglobin, A1C and and Average Glucose, A1C to show I am "prediabetes. I informed them I have many questions that require me to keep a daily log of my calorie, sugar, carb, and sodium intake to avoid crossing the number lines. Thanks again for the help you provided me.

Hello JK, Thank you so much for your response. I have taken your advice and contacted my Primary Health care physician today requesting to be referred to a endocrinologist and a dietician. Waiting patiently to here back from her. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.

@m188213 You are welcome, and I hope you can get the information and then you'll know what works for you. What was your A1C when you had it taken? That's an important number. I check my blood twice a day and sometimes more if it is elevated. Some things cause it to be higher than others. That's why I say we're all different. Some food works for a group of diabetics and the same food doesn't work for others. A dietician will be able to give you an eating plan; most of them do a good job of tailoring foods to the individual. Mayo has a daily newsletter and an information sheet that gives tips and information if you would like to look at that. It just comes to your inbox. I read and save articles that I can apply to myself and when I've read through, I just delete. If you would like that, I think I can send the link.
Glad to help; that's what I'm here for. Mayo Connect saved me when I was told I have Diabetes 2, so after two years I was asked to be a Volunteer Mentor in the Diabetes/Endocrine Group. All of the Mentors are willing to help. Just send an email, and we'll be right with you.
Carol

Hello Dr. McConkey. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions and for taking the appropriate action moving my 2nd posting. I have bookmarked the two Mayo Clinic URL's and found them to be extremely helpful. I believe I have prediabetes for Type 2 diabetes because I am overweight. I have left a message for my Primary Care Physician who took my height, weight, HGB A1C (6.2%) and Average Glucose A1C (131mg) to show I have prediabetes. Thanks to your referred websites, I was able to make a complete list of questions to ask, including the purchase of tools to measure my blood glucose. I am in the process of keeping a daily log of my daily intake of calories, sugar, carb, and sodium so I can avoid crossing over the line of numbers. Working on my diet to include daily exercise and consume only appropriate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high fiber, assorted nuts/beans/seeds, water/vegetable juice, etc. I have stopped eating any type of red meat and pork which was easy for me to do. I have also purchased online from Amazon three books on Diabetes, and 2 cookbooks. I am extremely motivated to reverse this diagnosis and to loose 65 pounds. Once again you pointed me to the sources I needed and found to very helpful and I thank you for that. Currently waiting to here back from my doctor. Thanks again Dr. McConkey.

Hi @m188213 glad you found those links I shared helpful!

I also wanted to make sure you knew that I am not a physician or a medical professional, but a Connect moderator. Here is a link explaining what my role is as a moderator and how we help keep the community safe, supportive, inclusive and useful with the help of our volunteer mentors like @retiredteacher and @contentandwell
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/moderators/
I'm glad you were able to call your doctor to get a referral. Keep up updated with how you are doing!

Carol..My HGB A1C value was 6.2% and Average Glucose A1C value was 131mg. These results were provided to me on 1/24/19.
If possible, please send me the link to the Mayo daily newsletter and information tip sheet. Very interested in reading this material to get better educated. I am also going to invest in purchasing a blood glucose test kit. My Pharmacist has one made by GE, but I am also going to see what Walgreens and CVS has in stock. Thank you.