patient education : 07020--Prediabetes
Education for patients with above-normal blood glucose results but not high enough to diagnose diabetes.
Handout File:
PE 07020_eng_Prediabetes_November 2023.pdf
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PDF document,
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document content:
Prediabetes
What is it and What Can I Do?
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition that comes before diabetes. It means your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but aren’t high enough to be called diabetes. There are no clear symptoms of prediabetes. You can have it and not know it.If I have prediabetes, what does it mean?
It means you might get type 2 diabetes soon or down the road. You are also more likely to get heart disease or have a stroke.
The good news is that you can take steps to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
How can I delay or prevent type 2 diabetes?
You may be able to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes with:
- Physical activity, like walking
- Weight loss – losing even a few pounds will help
- Join a Diabetes Prevention Program
- Talk with a registered dietitian or a health educator
- Take medication, if your doctor prescribes it
Weight loss can delay or prevent diabetes
If you are overweight, reaching a healthy weight can help you a lot. Even 5-7% of your weight may prevent or delay developing diabetes- for a person that weighs 200 pounds, that is a 10-15 pound weight loss.
Here are some steps you can take to change the way you eat to lose weight. Small steps add up to big rewards.
- Cut back on regular soft drinks and juice. Have water or try calorie-free drinks
- Choose lower calorie snacks such as fresh fruit instead of potato chips
- Use lower fat condiments for salad dressings, mayonnaise and cream cheese
- Eat smaller portions of your usual foods
- Share your main course with a friend or family member when eating out. Or take half home for later
- Cakes, pies and cookies are special treats-enjoy them 1-2 times a week in smaller portions
- Roast, bake, grill, steam or bake instead of deep-frying or pan-frying
- Use smaller amounts of oil, butter, lard & margarine
- Eat lean cuts of meat such as round or loin cuts, or chicken without the skin. Cut back on high fat and processed meats like hot dogs, sausage, and bacon
Regular physical activity can delay/prevent diabetes
Being active is one of the best ways to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. It can also lower your weight and blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels. Ask your health care team about safe ways of being active for you.
One way to be more active is to walk for half an hour, five days a week. If you don’t have 30 minutes all at once, take shorter walks during the day.
Your local diabetes prevention program or provider
Working with a health educator, registered dietitian or joining a diabetes prevention program can help you make the lifestyle changes you want to make. Your local program/provider is:
