The term prediabetes refers to a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but they are not high enough to classify as type 2 diabetes. If left unmanaged, prediabetes usually progresses to type 2 diabetes within a period of 10 years, according to MayoClinic.com. Fortunately, following the proper diet and lifestyle can help reverse prediabetes and eliminate your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Fasting Blood Glucose
One way that physicians measure your glucose levels is through a fasting blood glucose test. This test involves obtaining a blood sample through a vein after a period of at least eight hours without food or drink. A normal fasting blood glucose level falls between 70 and 99 mg/dL. If your fasting blood glucose falls between 100 and 125 mg/dL, it is considered prediabetes, or impaired fasting glucose. If your fasting blood glucose is more than 125 mg/dL on more than one test, you are considered diabetic.
Oral Glucose Tolerance
An oral glucose tolerance test is another way to measure your blood sugar levels. Instead of measuring the amount of glucose in your blood during a time of fast, the oral glucose tolerance test measures how well your body can tolerate high amounts of glucose. During an oral glucose tolerance test, you consume a beverage that contains 75 g glucose. Approximately two hours after you consume the glucose drink, your blood sugar level is tested. A normal glucose tolerance is defined as less than 140 mg/dL. Impaired glucose tolerance, or prediabetes, is defined as levels between 140 and 200 mg/dL.
Glycated Hemoglobin Test
If the fasting blood glucose test and oral glucose tolerance test show impaired glucose tolerance, your doctor may recommend a glycated hemoglobin, or A1C, test. This test measures the percentage of glucose attached to your red blood cells. If you have high blood sugar, excess amounts attach to your red blood cells. The A1C test provides an average blood sugar level for two to three months. An A1C level between 5.7 and 6.4 percent classifies as prediabetes.
Diet
The proper diet for prediabetes focuses on providing adequate nutrition without excess calories or fat. Many cases of prediabetes occur as a result of excessive weight, so the goal of a prediabetes diet is to reduce weight. Your diet should consist mostly of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These types of foods can keep you full without providing a lot of calories. They also provide fiber, which slows the absorption rate of sugar in your intestines and can help keep your blood sugar levels steady. You should also incorporate lean proteins, such as skinless chicken, fish and nuts, and low-fat dairy into your diet.
You should avoid fried foods and fatty foods, which are high in saturated and trans fats. You should also reduce your intake of white breads and added sugars, which not only lead to weight gain, but cause rapid, dramatic increases in your blood sugar levels.
