The Best Life Pre-diabetes Diet

According to 2008 information provided by the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, 57 million Americans are estimated to have pre-diabetes. In celebrity trainer Bob Greene's book, "The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-diabetes," Greene addresses this common condition by gradually easing people into a way of life that includes eating healthier foods and exercise. Greene also educates people on how to keep tabs on their conditions and work with their doctors to choose appropriate treatments.

Phase One

In the first phase of the Best Life Pre-Diabetes Diet, which lasts four weeks, you focus on making lifestyle changes that help control your weight and blood sugar. Greene asks dieters to eliminate sugary drinks and alcohol and to drink 48-oz. of water each day. Exercise is a must. Greene points out that exercise can have blood sugar-lowering effects up to 72 hours after exercising, an assertion supported by numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies, according to a June 2005 article in "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism." The diet provides an eating plan that focuses on limiting portions of high carbohydrate foods. You can choose between plans that permit up to 2,225 calories a day, depending on your weight loss needs.

Phase Two

During the second phase of the diet, which also is four weeks, Greene asks dieters to continue the dietary and lifestyle changes they made in the first phase, along with adding some more. The emphasis in this phase is making the switch to healthy fats, eating carbohydrates that don't spike blood sugar, eliminating all fried foods and beginning to take vitamin supplements. Greene also provides a tool to understand true hunger and choose the right portion sizes. If you are relatively new to exercise, he advises that you may wish to increase your activity level during this phase.

Phase Three

The third phase of the diet is intended to last for the rest of your life, as unhealthy insulin levels will quickly return if you return to your old eating habits. In this phase, Greene emphasizes the importance of continuing to improve your exercise program and trying new vegetables to increase the range of nutrients you consume. This phase addresses aspects other than diet that Greene asserts you will need to truly live "your best life." Motivation and sleep quality are noted as being critical for staying the course and successfully meeting your weight loss and blood sugar goals.

Meal Plans and Recipes

Greene designates a specific amount of calories from carbohydrates for each meal. Additionally, the diet's meal plans, also developed by registered dietitian Janis Jibrin, reflect these amounts. On a 1,500 calorie diet, you are permitted 34 g of carbohydrates for breakfast, 48 g for lunch, 45 g for dinner and a total of 17 g for snacks. Breakfast recipes include an almond butter smoothie, a sweet potato frittata and cocoa granola. For lunch, you might select white bean chili, a spicy chicken noodle salad, or lentil turkey soup. Main dinner courses have tasty options such as flank steak with tomato relish, spinach-stuffed chicken and shrimp with lime and avocado. Vegetarian recipes are included to make the diet accessible to more people.