Italian carryout? Making wise choices with pre-diabetes

Since you are pre-diabetic, this is easy. Have a small serving of the Italian lasagna and save the rest for later. Have lasagna perhaps once a month. Get some exercise that day. When the possible spike goes down, eat carefully the next day. Remember the sugar levels go up and down all day and night and you can expect that one spike will not last long if you are active. Read about sugar levels on the web, how they fluctuate up and down with eating schedules. First thing in the morning should be low. Eat, and it goes up, and two hours later it is higher, then it should drop before lunch. Eat and it goes back up and you want a nap, or get some exercise. Eat a full lunch and less at dinner so it is not so high at bedtime. I had low blood sugar with stress before I had high blood sugar and I was almost passing out when I was hungry. It is a journey you can manage well. The doctors didn't teach me anything. Dorisena

Thank you Dorisena, I have a strenuous bike ride mid-day, then appointments, then the Italian carryout, and my other posts was with this new diet and exercise I’m losing way too much weight, like 28 pounds in a month, 210 to 182, 5’9.

I don't know why the diet people think losing weight fast is good. I was taught that yo-yo dieting is bad in the long run. With diabetes, you never want to gain weight back after losing it, so go easy on the weight loss. Even with prediabetes, it is helpful to test your blood sugar in the morning so you know what is best to eat during the day, depending on your exercise level. Then some people need to test in the evening to see if they have overeaten on the carbs or need to take an evening walk. Actually, my body does not like to have "normal" blood sugar levels anymore, so I don't diet for numbers below 100. It makes me shake and I get headaches. So I eat plenty and do not lose weight much at all. But I am always careful on the amount of carbs! If old folks like me lose weight fast, they are not eating well at all. Young people can handle the loss much better but must concentrate on eating well to stabilize. Dorisena

Yes, I really haven’t been trying to lose weight, it has been coming off with new diabetic diet and now regular exercise, but this kind of rapid weight loss has me concerned about other things, besides the wife telling me I’m way to skinny now, nothing is fitting now.

Obviou8sly, you need to eat more calories, concentrating on low glycemic carbs which you can find on the web. You can afford to eat more protein and dairy, and limited fruits, according to your blood sugar testing, if you use that method. You could check with your doctor for blood tests to see if you have an underlying problem developing which could account for the weight loss. Weight loss helps "cure" prediabetes, but this is too much for your body right now.
Get advice on what you should weigh for your age and body type. It is easy to gain some weight back if you need to, but balanced diet is important.
I am speaking from years of experience and quite a bit of study. Everyone is a little different. You will soon get the right amount of food for good health.
Congratulations on your quick success. Maybe you can slow down a little and have some ice cream or lasagna now and then. Dorisena

Another reason I enjoy cooking now is that in my previous years I hated standing at the sink and peeling potatoes every night for six people, and I also hated making gravy and keeping it just right until the men came in from the fields at all hours. I haven't peeled a potato in years, and my son does them for holiday dinners because he is afraid I will skip them, and he is a traditionalist. He also makes the gravy pretty well which I don't care to eat at all. I still like to make the old fashioned jello molds with veggies and fruits but I use no sugar Jello. I will put veggies in just about anything, and it is healthier eating. Dorisena

Hi, I just found out about this thread. You did well and I hope that you are well and have reversed your pre-diabetes. Many doctors do not bother to teach us lifestyle changes. I commented due to having a similar situation as you. I only took my diabetes seriously after a mild stroke. From September 13 up to date, through intermittent fasting and choosing my food when I can eat, I lost around 12 lbs from 155lbs to 143.5lbs. I am back to my ideal weight vs my height. However, I had a couple of lightheadedness in the past week and feel cold feet most of the time ( in the office with airconditioning). I am just wondering if this is an effect of sudden weight loss. I walked 10,000 steps a day and use cycling bike every other day by the doctor to put my diabetes under control. Thank you and hope you or other people with a similar experience can give me advice.